Blue Jesters Backstge: A High School Theatre Podcast

In this episode, Northeast Early College High School theater students interview Nicole Malone, AISD’s Coordinator for Theatre and Dance. Nicole shares her journey in technical theater, what inspired her path, and her advice for students beginning their own theater careers. From backstage work to big-picture leadership, her insights help young performers and techies understand the many ways to grow in the arts.

Auditions can feel scary, but they don’t have to. In this episode, we talk about audition tips from a high schooler’s point of view—what works, what doesn’t, and how to handle nerves when it’s your turn in the spotlight. From choosing the right monologue to making a strong first impression, these are the things we wish someone told us before our first audition. If you’re getting ready for theater tryouts or your school musical, this episode is for you.

In this episode of Blue Jesters Backstage, we sit down with Northeast Early College High School’s Academic Dean, Lauren Kajdas. She shares how her theatre training in starting in junior high shaped her career path and the surprising ways those skills support her leadership today. From communication and collaboration to creative problem-solving, Lauren explains how lessons from the stage translate into education and administration.

In this episode of Blue Jesters Backstage: A High School Theater Podcast, students from Northeast Early College High School in Austin ISD share stories of mistakes, mishaps, and unexpected surprises on stage. Recorded in Austin, Texas, this candid look at high school theatre shows how young performers handle challenges with humor, resilience, and teamwork.

In our first episode of Blue Jesters Backstage: A High School Theater Podcast, students from Northeast Early College High School in Austin, Texas, share how they got started in theatre. Hear real stories about first auditions, backstage nerves, and the spark that made them fall in love with performing.