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* 140 Years of Lively Theatre: Where Every Moment Matters *
What Is Our Program All About?
The Lively Middle School Theatre Program is one of Austin ISD’s most dynamic, high-performing fine arts communities — a place where every moment matters and students are empowered to create work they’re proud of. Rooted in collaboration, creativity, and professional standards, our program develops strong performers, thoughtful technicians, and confident young artists who take ownership of their craft.
Our students consistently demonstrate excellence, including:
Two consecutive District Championships (2024 & 2025) at AISD’s Middle School UIL One Act Play Competition
Multiple National Qualifiers and State 1st Place Winners at Junior Thespian Festivals
Exceptional work in our annual musical productions
Multiple class productions staged every year
Whether they’re performing a full-scale musical, running sound with precision, designing costumes, building props, or contributing to our award-winning displays, Lively Theatre students develop real-world skills in leadership, empathy, collaboration, and creative problem-solving.
We honor Lively’s 140-year legacy by continuing to innovate — through our fall UIL One-Act Play, our winter Junior Thespians competition, our spring musical, ongoing class projects, campus-wide showcases, and even international theatre travel opportunities that broaden students’ perspectives and inspire their artistry.
At Lively Theatre, students discover their voice, build community, and learn that great theatre isn’t just about the spotlight — it’s about the moments that shape who they become.
Bold. Artistic. Intentional. That’s Lively Falcon Theatre.
BIG NEWS: Lively Middle School Theatre Named February 2026 Texas Thespians
Troupe of the Month
Troupe of the Month
2026 Central Junior Thespians
Outstanding Troupe of the Day
Outstanding Troupe of the Day
2025-26 UIL One Act Play District Champions
About the Director
About the Director
Ms Brookby is honored to join the Lively Middle School community as Director of Theatre Arts this year! She will Theatre 1, Advanced Theatre, and Theatre Production, and will direct multiple productions -- including the UIL One-Act Play, Spring Musical, Junior Thespian Festival event pieces, and other class shows!
Ms Brookby holds a BA in Theatre from Trinity University with concentrations in Acting/Directing and Theatre History/Dramatic Literature. She also holds an MA in Teaching from Trinity and an MFA in Theatre from UT Austin with an emphasis in community-based theatre, youth theatre, and applied theatre.
Passionate about educational theatre, Ms Brookby has taught and directed in Texas elementary, middle, and high schools and community organizations for almost 20 years. Before coming to Lively, she served as the Director of Performance Theatre at McCallum High School and prior to that at Tom C. Clark High School in San Antonio. She has also served as director of several community-based non-profit youth programs, including Teatro Alas at Say Si in San Antonio and Changing Lives Youth Theatre Ensemble at the SAFE Alliance in Austin. Her directing credits include: The Crucible, Dancing at Lughnasa, Bye Bye Birdie, The Sound of Music, Oklahoma, Antigone, She Kills Monsters, Rhinoceros, Sweet Charity, Inherit the Wind, 12 Angry Jurors, Cicada, The Shape of the Grave, Twelfth Night, King Lear, Julius Caesar, and Hamlet.
Ms Brookby believes that theatre has the power to build empathy, confidence, creativity, and community, and she is excited to share that belief with the students and families of Lively Middle School!
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