It's been a busy start to the spring semester for Ryan High School theater arts teacher Jeannene Abney.
The musical Hairspray recently wrapped up on campus, and middle school one-act troupes were hosted at Ryan High this week for a festival. One-act play auditions are under way, with the University Interscholastic League one-act district competition just a couple months away.
Amid the hectic schedule, Abney learned she is being recognized at the state level for her work. DRC/David Minton Ryan High School theater arts teacher Jeannene Abney, shown Friday, was recently named one of 15 winners of the UIL Sponsor Excellence Award for 2011. View larger More photos Photo store
Last month she was named one of 15 winners of the UIL Sponsor Excellence Award for 2011.
The award recognizes music, athletic and academic educators "who enable students to develop and refine their extracurricular talents to the highest degree possible within the educational system," according to a UIL press release.
Winners received $1,000 and a trophy. "To be rewarded as one of the outstanding UIL sponsors in a state where we have so many incredible educators … it is a great honor, huge," Abney said. "It makes me proud of what I've done, and it challenges me to be successful in my future. It's been an incredible year."
Abney also learned last month she is among the first 20 inductees named to the Texas State Thespians Hall of Fame.
Other local inductees include Karen Gossett, director of communication applications and forensics at Guyer High School, and Deb Shaw, a former Denton High School theater director who now serves as the fine arts director for the Midland school district, she said.
"When you look at the 20 inductee names, it was like the best of the best of Texas," Abney said. "Just to be a member of that group is humbling. It's an inspiring group of educators, many of them my mentors and people I would aspire to be.
"You don't start out doing things thinking you're going to be rewarded … but when you receive it, it's just validation of what you've done for so long. It's just amazing. It rejuvenates you."
She said she attributes her successes to the support and encouragement she receives at Ryan High as well as from the school district and her husband, George.
Abney's career as an educator spans more than 30 years, 20 of them at Ryan. In that time, she's sponsored UIL one-act play, poetry and prose competitions.
Her students have advanced to the UIL state one-act play contest four times, with many receiving individual acting awards, and two state runner-up completions. Her poetry and prose students have also been the recipients of six state championships.
What's been rewarding about it all, she said, is the impact she's had on students and witnessing their successes. Abney said it gives her goose bumps to see a student succeed and to embrace the tools needed for success.
"I would say that my students continually keep challenging me to continue to be the best I can be for them," she said. "Just when you think you've had enough, something happens to refuel you with energy for why you got in the field in the first place."
Since the 1980s, Abney said, she has been involved with the Denton Community Theatre as a director and actress, appearing in 50 to 70 productions - her latest being The Importance of Being Earnest in 2010.
She said she knew theater was destined to be a part of her life since first grade, when she played a green bean in a performance of Peter Cottontail.
"I just love that feeling of being on stage and communicating with audiences and having that impact with an audience; there's nothing like it," she said.
Last fall, Ryan High Principal Vernon Reeves nominated Abney for the UIL award. He said she has developed one of the top programs in the state and her "unending passion for her students and theater arts is second to none."
When word came that she was one of the 15 winners, Reeves said he was excited to see her efforts and that of her program recognized at the state level.
"I know the Denton community knows how special she is, but it was special for the state to get a glimpse of how special she is for us," he said. "We're proud of her and excited she's finally being recognized for the outstanding professional she is."
Cody Vann, a junior and president of the Ryan thespians, said Abney has taught him that it's not about saying the lines but about immersing oneself in the character so the character comes to life on stage.
"She's one of the most loving and nurturing directors that I have worked with," Vann said. "She's taught me so much about theater and life. She's worthy of that award."
BRITNEY TABOR can be reached at 940-566-6876. Her e-mail address is btabor@dentonrc.com.
