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Franci Hazleton, Artistic Director- has directed more than 125 shows over a 30+ year teaching career yet finds each one a new and different challenge. Ms. Hazleton studied Theatre Arts at the University of Texas and Western Washington University. She has a BFA in Theatre from WWU and a BS in English from Texas A&M. She worked as a Stage Manager for the Seattle Reparatory Theatre and Costume Designer/Technical Director for Center Stage Theatre in Austin, TX. Ms. Hazleton works as Contest Director and Stage Manager for area UIL contests and has Stage Managed at the State UIL OAP meet. Ms. Hazleton has served on the Curriculum Committee of the Texas Educational Theatre Association, working with TEA to develop theatre curriculum for K-12 in the state of Texas. She has also served on the Adult Advisory Board of the Texas Thespians Chapter of the International Thespian Society. She has served on the Texas Thespians Festival Director for multiple Texas Thespians Festivals. She gave Keynote Address at the Educational Theatre Association National Middle School Teacher’s Forum in Atlanta, GA in January 2007. Ms. Hazleton has been named in Who’s Who of American Teachers three times. She was named Thespian Sponsor of the Year in 2001 and 2013. These honors are especially important to her because they were student nominated and student driven.  In January Ms. Hazleton was named to the Texas Thespians Hall of Fame, the highest honor awarded by this organization.