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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.
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
Samantha Gang is the Theatre Director at Lively Middle School, where she leads a program rooted in collaboration, creativity, and the belief that every moment matters. She graduated from Texas State University with a BFA in Theatre and her K–12 Theatre Teaching Certification, after completing her student teaching in Austin ISD at Murchison Middle School and Anderson High School. At Lively, she teaches Beginning, Advanced, Competitive, and Musical Theatre classes and directs multiple annual productions — including the musical, UIL One Act Play, Junior Thespian festival pieces, and more!
Under Ms. Gang’s direction, Lively Theatre has earned 100+ individual and group awards, 49 national qualifying performance scores, and 29 first-place rankings, along with major honors such as 2025 & 2024 AISD Middle School UIL One Act Play District Champion, 2024 Junior Texas Thespians Outstanding South Troupe, 2023 Junior Texas Thespians Outstanding Central Troupe, and 2022 AISD UIL One Act Play District First Runner-Up. She was named Teacher of Promise (2022–2023) and was a Teacher of the Year Finalist (2024-2025) and has strengthened the Falcon Theatre community through initiatives like Drama Council, “Student of the Week,” and the integration of drama-based strategies across campus.
Beyond the stage, Ms. Gang has served as a SEL/CP&I Campus Ambassador, New Teacher Mentor, Pep Rally Coordinator, and Restorative Practices Committee Member, helping build an inclusive and supportive school culture. Her campus contributions include leading fundraising campaigns that have raised over $30,000 in one month, designing school-wide systems curriculum used by all teachers, assisting with the spring 2025 international educational theatre trip to London, and being selected by the New Teacher Center to film a nationally used lesson on language-rich instruction.
Above all, she is honored to teach and learn alongside the passionate young artists who make Lively Falcon Theatre such a meaningful and joyful community.
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