R. Scott Allen – President (2025-2027)

Dr. R. Scott Allen holds a BFA in Theatre with an emphasis on directing from Texas State University. He obtained his Masters of Education in Administration in 2001 and a Doctorate of Education in Educational Leadership in 2006 from Sam Houston State University. Scott is the recently retired principal of Kinder High School for Performing and Visual Arts (HSPVA) in the Houston ISD and now serves as the Executive Director for the national arts education nonprofit, Arts Schools Network (ASN). He was involved in OAP as a high school student and competed with nine one acts while teaching high school theatre. In addition to his UIL OAP involvement, Scott’s background includes theatre work in New York and community theatre in Texas. He believes strongly in the educational value of the UIL OAP process and feels that a positive OAP experience teaches students unlimited life lessons.

Yvonne Phillips-Dupree – Past -President (2025-2027)

Yvonne J. Phillips-Dupree is a veteran of education who holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Howard University and a Master of Fine Arts degree from UCLA with a concentration in acting. She is currently retired from the Houston Independent School District after having dedicated many years of tireless service. Previously, she taught theater arts at Ross Sterling Senior High School for over 20 years and competed five times at the U.I.L. One-Act Play State Meet. Following her tenure in the classroom, she became a School Improvement Facilitator, a Magnet Coordinator, a Literacy Coach, an Instructional Coordinator, and a College Access Coordinator. At present, she is a UIL One-Act Play Adjudicator, the President-Elect of the Texas Theatre Adjudicators and Officials Organization, and the Board President Emeritus of the Shabach Enterprise Fade to Black Theatre Festival. She has directed professionally at the Encore Theater, the Ensemble Theatre, and the Fade to Black Theater Festival in Houston, Texas

Jill Ludington – President-Elect  (2025-2027)

Jill Hays Ludington has her BA in Theatre and English Education, MA in Theatre from Texas A&M University in Commerce, and MA in Educational Leadership from West Texas A&M University where she was the Theatre Education Instructor for 10 years. She has had appearances at the state level as an adjudicator, director, and student. Jill believes in the powerful benefits of UIL theatre in our schools and to humanity as a whole since theatre is not just about entertainment; it is a mirror reflecting society and a catalyst for empathy. Giving back to an art and contest which changed her life is important to Jill, and she is proud to have served on the TxETA Board of Directors, the TTAO Standards and Practices Committee, and to currently serve as President-Elect of TTAO.

Amy Jordan – Communications Chair (2026-2028)

Amy Jordan has served as Texas Thespians Chapter Director since 2012. ​Amy holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Drama, with an emphasis in Stage Management and Design where she also holds a Master of Arts degree in Theatrical Design and Theatre Education from Texas Woman’s University.  Before beginning her 20-year career at Denison High School in 2001, Amy spent two years as an Actors Equity Stage Manager in the Dallas/Fort Worth Area.  She serves as the Stage Supervisor for State UIL One Act Play, a UIL One Act Play and Theatrical Design Judge, and Clinician each year.  Amy was named Executive Director in 2021, and with the Executive Governing Board and Staff, continues to innovate, plan and implement growth and programming of Texas Thespians. 

Aimee Ksprzyk – Communications Chair-Elect  (2026-2028)

Aimee Ksprzyk is an experienced teacher, director, designer, and forensics coach, as well as a former competitor in Texas UIL. Board of Directors. As an OAP contest manager, she has run contests from junior high OAP through high school State OAP levels. She has adjudicated 1A through 6A OAP, including multiple Area contests. Aimee recently served as Corsicana ISD's Fine Arts & UIL Director and is a veteran of teaching and directing elementary, junior high, and high school theatre. Aimee has been fortunate to direct and co-direct six state-level OAP's, two of which placed 2nd at the State OAP Meet. She currently serves as the Executive Director of Warehouse Living Arts Center community theatre in Corsicana. She enjoys running and judging at efficient and friendly contests, and she uses her past experiences with competing at many different locations and levels to help her to become a better adjudicator and contest manager. 

Kimy Hines – Treasurer / Historian-Elect  (2026-2028)

Kimy Hines’ love for the performing arts dates back to childhood when she attended plays, concerts, and operas with her parents, and then staged her own musicals in the backyard featuring neighborhood children and pets. Fast forward to adulthood: Beginning in 2000, Kim chaired and ran the Theatre program at a remote 3A/4A high school for 15 fulfilling and productive years, and she has served as an OAP adjudicator ever since. She is a strong believer in UIL One Act Play as the lifeblood of Theatre in Texas public schools, and she always marvels at how high school students and their directors create worlds onstage in under 47 minutes, while they forge lifelong relationships offstage. Kim esteems OAP as the single most life-changing of all the extracurricular activities, and she is certain that OAP directors are superheroes unaware. Kim holds a Bachelor’s in Psychology from Texas A&M and a Master’s in Theatre from Texas A&M Commerce. She has the great honor of serving on the TTAO Core Values and Continuing Education committees, as well as having recently been named TTAO Treasurer-Elect. Kimy also serves TxETA as Communications Chair-Elect, a cherished opportunity to give back to the organization that built her confidence as a young director. Kimy’s dream job is to advocate full-time for Theatre in public schools, especially schools of impoverished, remote, rural, and underrepresented populations.

Aquilla Aubrey – Treasurer / Historian-Elect  (2026-2028)

Aquilla Aubrey is a retired administrator from Aldine ISD where she managed and supported all performing and visual arts programs. She previously served as Contest Manager, Contest Director for UIL Academics, Director for speech and debate contests, OAP Clinician and assistant director for one act play contests. With a B.F.A. in Theatre Arts from the U. S. International University in San Diego, and a Masters in Educational Administration from Prairie View A&M University, she has also worked with Disney to support a special reunion project through Aldine ISD. Her more than 32 years of experiences include elementary to secondary levels as classroom teacher, director, contest manager, adjudicator, and administrator. Additionally she has performed in community theatre, and worked as stage manager professionally. She believes that theatre is the impetus that allows directors to provide a platform or momentum for actors to breathe new life, innovation, and imagination on stage. 

Greg Arp– Board of Directors – Director-at-Large   (2026-2028)

Greg Arp is a Bachelor of Arts Theatre graduate of West Texas A&M University and holds a Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction with an emphasis in Teacher Leadership. He served as the Coordinator for Speech and Theatre for Plano ISD and was the Plano ISD Secondary Teacher of the Year for 2012. Greg started his career at the middle school, high school, and senior high school levels 1993. Greg's musical Curtains was chosen as the 2012 Dallas Summer Musicals High School Musical Theatre Awards Best Show, Best Technical Execution and garnered the Best Actor Award. He was the 2023 Texas Educational Theatre Association Administrator of the Year, District Administrator of the Year for the National Speech and Debate Association 2022, and the North Texas Performing Arts Outstanding Arts Administrator for 2022 . Greg is a graduate of Leadership Plano Class 38, serves as a mentor for the Hendrick Scholarship Foundation, board member for the Plano ArtCentre, Chair for the Texas Theatre Administrators Conference, and served on the Standards and Practices Committee for the Texas Theatre Adjudicators and Officials. 

Joi L. Hughes – Board of Directors – Director-at-Large  (2025-2027)

Joi L. Hughes, M.A., is a passionate and experienced professional who has dedicated herself to the world of performing arts. She has had the pleasure of performing, adjudicating, and directing on various stages across the United States, honing her skills and sharing her love for the arts with others. With over 12 years of valuable educational experience, Joi has held titles such as Director of Theatre Arts for a Fine Arts Magnet and Solo/Head Theatre Arts Director/Educator. Her journey in the field culminated in her current role as a Theatre Arts Integration Educator, where she continues to inspire and guide aspiring artists. Joi's unwavering commitment to the arts is evident in her strong advocacy for young talents. She firmly believes that the experiences gained through participation in the UIL OAP (University Interscholastic League One Act Play) can have a profound and lasting impact on individuals' lives, nurturing their creativity and shaping their futures.

Cy Scroggins – Board of Directors – Director-at-Large  (2026-2028)

Cy Scroggins began his OAP journey in high school, stage managed in college, and after graduating, directed and contest managed for 18 years. He was fortunate to take 11 shows to the state meet, earning three state championships. However, Cy firmly believes the real trophies were the lessons learned, the confidence gained, and the relationships built with his students. Keeping students at the heart of the contest remains his guiding principle as an adjudicator. Cy has served on the TxETA and TTAO Board of Directors as well as the TTAO Standards & Practices and Core Values Committees. He received his district's Teacher Excellence Award in 2016 and the 2023 UIL Sponsor Excellence Award. He currently serves as the Director of Fine Arts for Amarillo ISD. He is deeply passionate about the opportunities this contest gives young artists and is committed to helping every company have the best possible One Act Play experience. 

Cindy Couch – Board of Directors – Core Values Chair (2026-2028)

Cindy Couch devoted 37 years to education, including 33 years as a middle school and high school theatre director. Throughout her distinguished career, she guided students and programs to exceptional levels of achievement, advancing to the UIL One-Act Play State Tournament four times and culminating her final year as a high school director with a State Championship title.

Following her retirement from the classroom, Cindy has embraced a new chapter in educational theatre as a contest manager, adjudicator, and clinician. Her extensive experience as an educator and director provides a strong foundation for mentoring others and supporting excellence in theatre programs across Texas.

As TTAO's Core Values Chairperson, Cindy is committed to advancing the organization's mission and promoting the values that strengthen educational theatre. She believes deeply in the transformative power of the arts and is dedicated to fostering collaboration among directors, adjudicators, and contest managers. Known for her adaptability, strong communication skills, and unwavering work ethic, she welcomes feedback and strives to help build a stronger, more inclusive TTAO.

Cindy brings a collaborative, dependable, and engaged perspective to board service. She values theatre's unique ability to build community, inspire meaningful dialogue, and enrich lives through shared artistic experiences. By combining thoughtful leadership with practical decision-making, she seeks to support TTAO through active listening, careful stewardship, and a willingness to contribute wherever she can make the greatest impact.