Today we’d like to introduce you to Deanna Stone.
DeAnna, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Growing up in a small East Texas town, we did not share the same access to the arts as those in larger cities, but that did not diminish my passion for the arts. The life of the stage brought life lessons that are not found in a textbook. Real-life lessons of perseverance, dedication, teamwork, responsibility, and accountability are provided through the performing arts. It launches a foundation for a successful future regardless of what you pursue in life. It was this journey that drove my personal desire to help educate our youth of today. It was my hope that by using the experience of the stage we could work to shape the future of our youth. Teaching students how to tackle disappointments graciously and success humbly, persevering when faced with challenges, improvising when things do not go as you planned, finding your voice, standing tall, and learning to collaborate and be respectful of others, are all character-building traits that are offered through the performing arts.
In 2005, I began directing for a homeschool organization and providing the theatre experience to the homeschool community.
Over the last fifteen years, the performing arts adventure has brought me to the largest non-profit youth theatre organization in the United States, the North Texas Performing Arts. NTPA has a mission to develop the character of youth through its “Ten Characters”, teaching life skills that align with my own values and why I pursued youth theatre as a career. Originally, I came to NTPA as a parent of a student that is passionate for the performing arts; however, I quickly began to love the community of NTPA and directed several productions for their organization. In 2018, NTPA CEO Darrell Rodenbaugh approached me to help launch the NTPA Academy, a full-and part-time conservatory for the performing arts. We began working on the structure and launched the first semester in 2018. As a homeschooling family the option of having a daytime performing arts Academy was a real dream of mine.
It was incredible to watch the process come together. We are embarking on our 5th year of the Academy in Fall of 2022 and have since grown to almost one-hundred students.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
As I mentioned earlier, I grew up in a small East Texas town and it was difficult for my family to imagine a daughter going off to college. I was lucky enough to receive a scholarship in theater for Kilgore Junior College. It was close to home and acceptable for my family. Later, I transferred to Stephen F. Austin. Without receiving much support to carry out this adventure, I quickly found a job and got myself registered. The accomplishment was great in my mind as none of my siblings had attended college and the desire to be the first was high on my list. Yet, managing the bills, working, and trying to juggle the schedule began to become very daunting. During this time, I was dating a young man that was in the military. The second week of school I received a phone call sharing that he has been killed in an army training accident. My world was turned upside down and what seemed difficult became impossible. It was a very dark time in my life and something that helped shape the very person I became in life. Respectful of those that serve our country, compassionate to those that experience loss, and eventually the person that would pick herself up and take the next step in life to piece her world back together. During the course of the next year, I met Rick Stone, who later became my husband and we are approaching of 28 years of marriage. With the help of friends and family, I managed to stay the course and survive that difficult time in life. These moments are hard to overcome and yet they shape the very core of who you are and who you will become. You get to decide how they shape you and you get to decide if you allow it to help you make the world a better place. I can tell you for a while I didn’t want to allow it to shape me for the better. The healing process takes time and it is not something that you can rush. I learned early that we tend to sweat the small things in life and fail to see the bigger picture. It drove me to motivate others to seize the day, value relationships and people, and ultimately have such gratitude for every moment.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am the Managing Director of North Texas Performing Arts in Frisco and my role to make possible the opportunity for area youth to take the stage. There is nothing more rewarding than building the character of our future leaders. The youth face so many different challenges in this world. They need people that help them believe in themselves and see a bigger picture outside of the one moment in time they may be experiencing. It only takes on person to help them see the value they bring to this world. Theater allows the ability to have those teaching moments through great literature or a whimsical musical. Exploring life lessons through the production of Seussical may just offer someone the moment to recognize they are never alone in the universe or that you don’t have to try to be something else to be amazing At NTPA, we employ the performing arts to develop life skills we call the “Ten Characters” which are Teamwork, Leadership, Responsibility, Respect, Self-Confidence, Integrity, Discipline, Gratitude, Positive Attitude, and, above all, to Love One Another.. As the Managing Director, I get to capture directing the youth but also helping the directors be successful and support their journey along the way.
The launch of the NTPA Academy in 2018 was an incredible milestone, creating a powerful educational alternative to traditional public and private school for youth grades 6-12. The Academy was designed to allow creative minds the freedom to explore the performing arts and continue to excel in their academic studies. If students are allowed to be creative, the academics are often less daunting. The NTPA Academy gives students the flexibility they need to excel both on and off the stage and provides rigorous preparation for the collegiate and professional world through an educational and experiential learning model. Empowering families to see that things can be different and still be great is very rewarding. Theatre teaches students to work together, improvise when things don’t go as you plan, encourage and support your peers, see life from a different perspective, and recognize we respect and value our differences.
I am not sure what sets me apart from others. Maybe that is just it. I don’t really set myself apart from others; I value the idea that we are all in this together and we have things to learn from one another. I cherish relationships and people. Seeking to find the positive, allowing freedom to make mistakes, and building a community where everyone finds a place is extremely important to me. In theater, there is something for everyone. Siblings that are years apart can take the stage and both be highlighted. If you don’t want to be in front of the curtain there is value behind the curtain. I am thankful for the opportunities and the ability to teach the youth, and I am honored for the families that allow NTPA to be part of their journey.
What’s next?
As a mother of four, my youngest will be a senior next year. It is difficult to recognize the years of a full house are coming to a close. My focus has always been on the family and the years ahead will continue to be focused on family; however, NTPA will be an extension of that family. NTPA was the stage for my personal family as they embraced theatre, and I will adopt all the students that will allow me to continue investing into family.
Contact Info:
- Email: dstone@ntpa.org
- Website: www.ntpa.org
