Viper Players @ Rodriguez Middle School is a theatre program dedicated to building students’ confidence, creativity, sense of community, and lifelong appreciation for the arts.

Each year, Viper Players collaborates with the RMS Choir program to produce a schoolwide musical open to all Rodriguez students. The program also competes in Denton ISD’s annual UIL One Act Play Contest, where students perform alongside the district’s other middle schools and are recognized for excellence in acting and technical theatre. Rodriguez MS was named Alternate in the District the last two years. 

Students also participate in the UIL Theatrical Design Contest by creating costume, set, hair and makeup, or marketing designs for an assigned play. Through the district’s UIL Oral Reading Contest, students bring selections of prose and poetry to life through expressive performance.

Viper Players also attends the Texas Thespians Junior Festival. Last year, our students were named Prop Relay Champions and Costume Quick Change Champions and earned a Superior rating in Ensemble Acting.

Beyond competitions, students develop their performance, design, and collaboration skills through classroom productions. Theatre students also take field trips to experience live professional theatre at venues such as Casa Mañana, expanding their understanding and appreciation of the art form.

This year, for the first time, seventh- and eighth-grade theatre students will have the opportunity to travel to New York City during Spring Break. Students will attend Broadway productions and learn more about the professional theatre and entertainment industries.

Rodriguez MS is also home to Junior Thespian Troupe #89775, whose student officers lead theatre activities and social meetings open to the entire school.

At the end of each school year, all students who participate in theatre classes and productions are invited to celebrate their accomplishments at the annual Theatre Banquet. During the banquet, new Junior Thespian members are inducted, and students are recognized with awards for excellence in acting, technical theatre, and leadership.