ABOUT
Royal Scots Theatre (RST) is the award-winning theatre department at McKay High School in Salem, Oregon, run by Tiffany Carstensen, Director of Theatre Arts and Chris Torres, our Technical Director and the Student Board who act as our Troupe Thespian Officers.
We are one of the largest and most active clubs in our school, and we love our theatre family. Annually, we produce a minimum of two mainstage shows, plus several student-created projects like our audience interactive Murder Mystery Night, our Childrens' Theatre Tour and McKay's Annual Talent Show. Our musicals typically have 100 students involved in acting, tech, pit, and house, and our straight plays and student projects boast full-numbers but vary on cast size.
We participate in several outreach and community projects, as well. Each October we participate in a food-drive called Trick-or-Treat so Kids Can Eat where we collect non-perishable foods instead of candy (sometimes it's in addition to candy). We also have started an after-school drama class at one of our feeder Middle Schools and host free drama camps for middle school students. Many years we've taken shows to our Elementary Schools to celebrate Read Across America week and we've even taught drama activities to special needs adults with Good Will Industries.
We are a full-time department with acting classes at three levels and two levels of Technical Theatre. Courses include Theatre Arts 1, Improvisation, Fundamentals of Acting, Adv: Shakespeare, Adv: Children's Theatre, Adv: Directing, Adv: American Musical Theatre, Adv: Scene Study, Tech I and Tech II.
Have we mentioned we're an award-winning department? RST has been awarded the status of Honor Troupe two years in a row by Oregon Thespians, the Oregon chapter of the International Thespian Society and in 2015 was the only troupe to take home the Honor Troupe Showcase award. We regularly have students place in the top acting categories at the State Improv Festival, Regionals Acting Competition, and at State Conference. In June of 2015, we had a student come home from Nationals with the top acting honor of Outstanding Talent. Our student actors and techs have been accepted into theatre programs at Evansville, Arizona, American Music and Dramatic Academy, American Academy of Dramatic Arts, The NY Conservatory for Dramatic Arts, Western Oregon, Southern Oregon, Cornish College of the Arts, and others.
We welcome YOU to join our family! Student, parent, community member - we love adding to our department. Email us at royalscotstheatre@gmail.com and a Student Board Member will get back to you. All are welcome to attend Drama Club every first monday of the month in the theater after school!
2019 - 2020 Thespian Board
Axel Islas
My name is Axel Islas. I'm 18 years young, I was born in long beach California. I've been into acting since I was little. I joined theater in high school. I'm going in as a senior at McKay High and am an inducted thespian looking forward to an awesome year with my new team. What are your thoughts on them shiny cars, well i just so happen to also be studying to become an auto body technician. I want to start my own company in auto detailing but pursue acting as a job that nutritious my acting skills. My dream roll as an actor would be no one less than Mr.Hamilton himself but one shot at a time. Wish me the best of luck and hopes for an awesome school year!
Tianna Cousineau
Hello! I'm Tianna Cousineau, a sophomore at McKay High School. I enjoy baking, reading, and making music. The most important thing I'm working on is always staying kind and positive.
Ariadna Miranda
Haiya, I am a junior here at McKay. I have loved theatre since was born; this is my fifth year being involved in theatre and third year in McKay's program. Being in theatre, especially at McKay, has made me feel like I belong. The relationships built here are incredible; everyone here makes sure you feel included. You don't just create friendships and unbreakable bond, but you create an everlasting family. Joining the board is easily one of the best decisions I have made. I want to make sure that everyone knows that they are welcomed with open arms the minute they walk into the auditorium.
P.S. Just call me Ari
Max Rodriguez
Hey y'all! I'm a Senior here at McKay and this is my 4th year being involved in theater, what turned into just helping for one of the plays to being a lead in a show. Theater has really helped me break the shell i was stuck in when I first started McKay as a wee freshmen. Being on the board will not only push my boundaries it will help see what the real world is like moving forward towards college. Theater not only helps you find who you are truly meant to be, it creates new friendships and relationships with people you may not have talked to before. When you walk into the auditorium just know that we are here for you and that we NEVER judge anyone for just being themselves. So come and join us, we will be waiting for you!
2019-2020 Thespian Board Apprentices
Raechel Gunn
Hey! I’m Raechel (she/her) and I’m so excited to be representing McKay as a member of the board! I’m a junior. I took a theatre class in freshman year and absolutely fell in love. I was in my first ever musical last year and I can’t wait to be in this years! In my free time I enjoy roller skating, reading, and cleaning (yes, I know that’s weird). I’m so excited to meet new people and to do my best to improve our theatre and make it even better than it already is. Much love!