Communications to Students

Lake Braddock Theatre communicates to and receives paperwork from students online through a Group on Schoology called “The Lake Braddock Theatre.” 

A monthly newsletter called “Exit...Stage Left” is published on Schoology for students. This will keep students updated about current activities at Lake Braddock Theatre, cast lists, alumni information, and a monthly column from seniors. 

Schoology will also contain Lake Braddock Theatre History (information on production and awards from 1990 - present) and The Company List (names, addresses, and point tallies for all members of LBT). 

The LBT Student Handbook is a document that contains even more details on much of the information found on this website. 

Point System for the Awarding of Letter and Honor Bars

Varsity Letter and Honor Bars are awarded to students involved in Lake Braddock Theatre to reward their commitment and involvement in the program. Varsity Letter is awarded at the end of the school year to students who have earned a cumulative 30 points; students can earn Honor Bars for each 30 points earned thereafter.

The LBT Student Handbook has the full details of how to earn points, including acting, production, electricians (lighting and sound), technical direction (set and properties), scenic direction (costume and makeup), business management, academic achievement, and more.

Auditions

More information about Auditions will be communicated directly to students (see “Communications to Students”). 

Beyond talent, LBT Company members need to have experience, knowledge and the willingness to work hard. Also, keep in mind that the person cast in LBT productions is the best person for the role -- regardless of sex, race, gender or connections. 

Technical Crew Overview

The best experiences with the LBT Company are crewing shows! Here are some of the opportunities available:

— Set Construction

— Publicity

— Lighting and Sound

— House Crew

— Costumes

— Properties (props)

— Makeup

— Company and Stage Management

In order to participate in technical theatre work, students must annually complete the appropriate training and pass assessments according to the guidelines of the FCPS Technical Theatre Safety handbook. Technical theatre safety seminars are conducted by the student Executive Board members during various dates throughout the fall. 

FCPS Technical Theater Handbook

Cappies

The “Critics and Awards Program” is a nationwide writing and awards program that trains high school theatre and journalism students to be expert writers and critical thinkers. Participating high schools select one Cappies show (musical or play) per school year. Student critics review each other’s shows and adult mentors select student reviews to be submitted to The Washington Post, high school newspapers and other local media for publication.

At the end of the school year, Cappies student critiques provide the basis for Cappie nominations. Performers and technicians are honored and recognized for awards, usually at the Kennedy Center and often called “the Tony Awards for high school students.”

VHSL One-Act Play Festival

The Virginia High School League (VHSL) sponsors a competitive interscholastic theatre competition. Advanced theatre students (Theatre Arts 3 / 4 classes) perform a One Act play that is 35 or fewer minutes in length. 

Lake Braddock competes with the schools of the Patriot District: Fairfax, Justice, Lake Braddock, James Robinson, West Springfield, South County, and W.T. Woodson.

The top two schools from each District or Conference advance to the Northern Region festival; the top two schools at Regional advance to the State festival. In 2019, Lake Braddock was named VHSL State Champions for their performance of “As Is.”

Unplugged

Unplugged is a showcase of musicians and writers performing works live, without amplifiers or tapes. Participants can be former or current students at LBSS.

Laboratory Theatre (“The Blackbox Show”)

The Lake Braddock Laboratory Theatre was created to be an experimental stage, presenting small, off-beat shows that feature small casts and present issues relevant to human interaction. The Laboratory Theatre show, also known as “The Blackbox Show,” is generally cast from Technical Theatre 2, Theatre Arts 2, 3, and 4 classes, and any Seniors.

International Thespian Society

The International Thespian Society (ITS) is the honor society for secondary school theatre students. There are more than 139,000 student members at 5,000 schools, and famous ITS alumni include Tom Hanks and Julia Louis-Dreyfus. Lake Braddock Secondary School joined this prestigious society in 1991. We are Troupe #4807. 

Criteria for LBSS students to be inducted into ITS: 

• Must have enrolled in Theatre Arts 2, 3, 4 or Technical Theatre 1

• Must have received enough LBT points for a Varsity Letter (see “Point System”). Seniors need to only have obtained 20 points

The ITS induction ceremony takes place in January. Members are eligible to travel to the State Thespian Festival, which includes workshops, event competitions, a college fair, main stage and one-act performances, and keynote speakers. Members are also eligible to audition for the LBT-ITS production.

Shakespeare Festival

The Folger Shakespeare Library’s annual Secondary School Shakespeare Festival is open to many middle and high schools throughout the Washington Metro area. Students come to the Folger for most of a day and perform Shakespeare for each other. It’s not a competition, but rather a celebration of William Shakespeare as a “vibrant, passionate, human, hilarious, teachable, learnable, enjoyable playwright.” The Festival traditionally takes place in March; LBT’s Folger production is cast and staffed from the Theatre 3 and 4 classes.

Shakespeare Competition

The Washington-area branch of the English Speaking Union hosts an annual Shakespeare Competition. Students must enact from memory a monologue of approximately 25 lines from one of Shakespeare’s plays and recite from memory one of his sonnets. LBT chooses a school champion to send to the area competition, to compete with students in schools from DC, Arlington, Fairfax, Montgomery, and Prince George’s Counties and the City of Alexandria.

High School LBT Student Board 2023-2024

Rebecca Weingast - Business Manager (Publicity, Fundraising, House Management)

Leah Dutcher - Master Electrician (Lighting, Sound, Safety, Teching)

Claire Copes - Scenic Director (Costumes, Makeup)

Riley Kozal - Technical Director (Set Construction, Safety, Properties)