R. Scott Allen – President

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

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

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 because theatre is not just about entertainment; it is a mirror reflecting society and a catalyst for empathy. Giving back to an art and contest that changed her life is important to Jill, and she is proud to have served on the TTAO Board and Standards and Practices Committee and as TxETA Communications Director; she currently serves on the Board of Directors as an At-Large Member.

Carla Schumann – Communications Chair

Carla Schumann, a proud product of the UIL One-Act Play tradition, she first participated as a student and later directed productions at every level of competition—including two 5A state appearances in 2011 and 2012. She spent 33 years in public education, including 26 as a high school theatre director and 7 as a Fine Arts Director.

Now retired from public education, Carla continues to support arts education statewide. She serves as Director of Development and Membership for Texas Thespians and as Communications Chair for the Texas Theatre Adjudicators and Officials (TTAO). Her career has been devoted to championing student success, strengthening arts communities, and promoting excellence in educational theatre.

Amy Jordan – Communications Chair-Elect

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. 

Larry Carpenter – Treasurer and Historian

An adjudicator since 2010, Larry has judged more than 450 shows from all over Texas in all conferences and all levels. Larry has directed one-act plays in conferences 1A-5A, advancing to area, region, and state along the way. Additionally, he has directed more than 50 shows at the high school, middle school, elementary, and community theatre levels. Several of his students have gone on to either college or professional theatre in New York, California, Washington, and here in Texas. He currently is the Treasure Elect for the TTAO Board of Directors and administers the Contest Manager trainings on behalf of the organization. He proudly serves as the Director of Fine Arts for Waco ISD.

Kim Hines – Treasurer / Historian-Elect

Kimy Hines’s 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.

Kathy Harvey – Board of Directors – Director-at-Large

An education specialist at Region 9 Education Service Center, Kathy holds a B.A. in theatre and an M.A. in English from Midwestern State University. She marks her 34th year as a U.I.L. participant, including work as a student, director, clinician, contest manager, and adjudicator. Kathy has judged at all levels, from zone to the State Meet, and has served as a clinician for the Kody Hodge Foundation One-Act Play Festival. Committed to serving, she is a Director-at-Large for TTAO. Kathy has worked in both a small rural school setting and a large one, so she’s familiar with the challenges of directing at both levels. She is passionate about supporting the work of students and directors who dedicate their time and energy to the fantastic one-act play experience and welcomes any opportunity to participate in the process.

Gary Davis - Board of Directors - Director-at-Large

Gary Davis has been a public school educator for 34 years. He has a degree in Advertising Art & English, as well as a Masters degree in Educational Administration. He has served as a campus principal for 13 years and a school district superintendent for 8. Prior to becoming an administrator, he taught Speech and Theatre in Texas and New Mexico. His students achieved many honors in UIL theatre and speech competitions. In 11 years of UIL competition, his shows advanced to regional 10 times and to the UIL State One-act play contest twice. He is a former member of the Texas Educational Theatre Association's Advisory Board and a former Chair of TxETA's UIL Advisory Committee. In 2018, Mr. Davis was selected as the Administrator of the Year by TxETA. He currently sits on the board of the Texas Theatre Adjudicators and Officials. He has served in all capacities of the UIL OAP contest including: student actor, director, contest manager, clinician and adjudicator. He served on the Conference 5A UIL State OAP contest judging panel in 2021. He retired as a school superintendent in 2020 and has since returned to school administration. He is an avid, life-long supporter of the UIL and all of its co-curricular activities.

Joi L. Hughes – Board of Directors – Director-at-Large

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.