Q&A with Tricia Franks

How did you find FWCD?

I got involved at Country Day in 1991 when Tom Orr [Technical Director and Theatre Teacher] and I performed at the Hip Pocket Theatre in Fort Worth. I had been helping with costuming there, and he asked me to design his eighth-grade performance of Our Town. I then started working as a substitute theatre teacher and, later, was asked to teach an Acting One class.

My art teachers were amazing when I was growing up. I studied with the late Helen Silvestri and Bror Utter, both Fort Worth artists and educators. They taught me so much. I later spent 13 years at the Hip Pocket Theatre with Johnny and Diane Simmons [founders] and Sharon Benge, and spent time at Fort Worth Theatre under the direction of Bill Garber. When you are blessed by working with such incredible people and talent, you want to share that knowledge.

What do you love about teaching Middle School theatre?

Everything! I love seeing that shy fifth-grader grow up to be the lead as an eighthgrader and then move on to earn a role in the Upper School musical. It is truly the best. In my 30 years at FWCD teaching various fine art classes, I have enjoyed watching students learn new skills or discover talents they did not know they had. I started directing the eighth-grade plays in 2000. When you think about blocking a play, you should be able to stop and freeze it at any point and have a tableau that looks interesting. Of course, getting the students to do that is not often easy. I have always been impressed with the talent and confidence that our students possess.

How did you become a costume designer extraordinaire?

I learned to sew as a young girl and made most of my clothes in middle school. Working in art and theatre and with my sewing capabilities, I was a natural fit for costume design. My favorite Upper School musical to design for was Pippin. It was the first opportunity I had to build almost all of the costumes. Of course, seeing my designs for Bruce Wood Dance Company on stage at Bass Hall and for Ballet Arlington’s Nutcracker were beyond exciting too.

What will you miss about FWCD?

Upon retirement at the end of the 2020-21 academic year, I will remain connected to FWCD through my granddaughter Lili Moreno ’30. I also will teach art from my home studio. Don’t be surprised if one day you see me back as a substitute. I work with the best people here and have made friendships that will be lasting. I will miss the beautiful grounds, the students, and my fellow teachers and staff who have supported me over the years.

Tricia Franks, Middle School Theatre Teacher