About.

Built in 2001, the Burdine Johnson Theatre holds approximately 250 audience members. 
OUR MISSION: To provide a safe space for all students to create art for our community.
 
We produce a FALL PLAY, FALL MUSICAL, ACTING SHOWCASE, BROADWAY IN BUDA REVUE, UIL ONE-ACT PLAY, STUDENT DIRECTED ONE-ACT PLAY COMPETITION, AND a SPRING CHILDREN'S MUSICAL. We also perform at local nursing and rehab centers for the elderly.
We're excited about our newest program: ADAPTIVE MUSICAL REVIEW starring our students with special needs and their supportive peers.

 In the summer we host a KIDS CAMP for 25-50 children from Buda, Kyle & Austin.
MEET THE DIRECTORS

Theatre Director - Lory "Stewy" Stewart

Mrs. Stewart has a BFA in Theatre Studies from UT Austin and has been directing and teaching since 1993 (Theatre, Speech, Debate and Interpretation/Competitive Acting). She joined Hays Legacy Players in 2018. An author and public speaker since 2010, she has spoken to over 5,000 teens, parents & counselors about Teen Dating Violence and has been directing musicals with Special Needs Adults since 2004. The director of Actors Anonymous Theatre of Company since its 1997 inception, AATC has donated over $25,000 to various charities (www.TheDramaQueens.com). She is excited about our new class, Adaptive Musical Theatre with Supportive Peers, for ALL Hays HS students with Special Needs. Stewy is a Double Diamond Coach in the National Speech and Debate Association and has coached many State Champions, as well as State and National finalists. Hays High School Fine Arts Department Chair, she has been a Teacher of the Year finalist every year she's been at Hays High School. She received the UIL SPONSOR EXCELLENCE AWARD in 2021.

Theatre Director - Zach DeSutter

​​Tech Director, Zach DeSutter -- joining the team for 2022-2023. Zach graduated from the University of West Georgia with BA in Theatre. Since college, he has stayed very active in the world of theatre and performance. In his community, Mr. D performs, produces and writes original content for stage and film in Austin, Texas. He can often he found on stage performing sketch and improv at The Fallout Theatre and with Coldtowne theatre. The films he’s worked on continue to play in film festivals nationally and internationally, and locally at the Alamo Drafthouse and Austin Film Society.  He’s a published playwright with his plays performed in Regional Play Festivals. He’s a World Record Breaker … ask him about it!  When he’s not in the theatre, Mr. D can be found teaching geography to freshman. He’s so excited for the chance to teach his passion and start our first improv comedy troupe at Hays HS! He’s a huge movie buff, loves music, getting outside, hiking, swimming, playing Dungeons and Dragons, spending time with his dog, staying active and going to HEB.

2022-2023 Hays Legacy Players - Thespian Officers 

  • ​President - Lilah Rodriguez SENIOR
  • Vice President - Guliana Coco JUNIOR
  • Secretary - Allie Meredith SENIOR
  • Co-Historians - Kate Bertagnoli SENIOR & Bear Williams JUNIOR