Susan Loughran
In 1978 Susan Loughran was working as a freelance actor, director and costume designer based in New York City. She was on tour with a production of Inherit the Wind that May when she was hired as a Guest Artist for the St. Edward’s University (Austin) Summerstock season. That three month “gig” led to a 40+ year career at the university where she acted in, directed and designed well over 100 productions; developed and taught dozens of theater classes; and served as the Artistic Director of the Mary Moody Northen Theater on campus for a number of years. In addition, she taught in the university General Education program and served in several administrative capacities, including the Associate Dean of University Studies and the Director of Capstone. She retired in 2019 and currently holds the rank of Professor Emeritus at St. Ed’s. Professor Loughran also did some commercial, television and film work both before and after coming to Austin, including appearing in What’s Eating Gilbert Grape with Johnny Depp and Leonardo DiCaprio. She has been a very active UIL One Act Play adjudicator since 1988, judging both middle school and high school at all levels from zone to State. She has also been very active in the UIL Young Filmmakers program since its inception, judging narrative and documentary films at levels from Round One to State. She is proud to be part of TAPPS and sends a big “Break a leg” to all the participants.
Pam Wilson is a retired theatre director and Fine Arts Department Chair from Katy ISD in Katy. She directed theatre in the Texas Public Schools for 38 years. Ms. Wilson is a certified adjudicator and contest manager with the Texas Theatre Adjudicators and Officials (TTAO) organization. In addition, Ms. Wilson has served on the Board of Directors of the Texas Educational Theatre Association (TxETA) as Secretary, Vice President Elect, President, a Past President, Treasurer-Elect and as Treasurer. She also served on many committees through TxETA and the Texas Education Agency to develop and promote theatre curricula throughout Texas and the United States. Ms. Wilson is the recipient of the TxETA Founders’ Award, UIL Sponsor Excellence Award, Texas Thespians Hall of Fame, and the TxETA Emeritus award.
Ms. Wilson believes that theatre and all fine arts help all students to develop creative and imaginative skills which allow students’ success in other curriculum areas and in the real world. She also believes that through the One Act Play contest students learn to hone this craft called theatre.
Ric Maddox grew up in South Texas and Joined the Army where he became a decorated Infantry soldier after serving one tour in Iraq with the 4th Infantry Division. After service, Mr. Maddox moved to New York City to train at the prestigious Stella Adler acting conservatory for 3 years. Upon returning back home, Ric auditioned and was cast in Stop-Loss opposite Ryan Phillippe and Timothy Olyphant. The film’s director, Kimberly Peirce, encouraged Ric to make the move to Los Angeles where Ric studied at Playhouse West with Tony Savant, Holly Gagnier, Jeff Goldblum, and Jim Parrack. As an actor Ric has been in over 59 films and TV shows. He starred opposite Jeff Goldblum in Prisoner of Second Avenue for Playhouse West Rep and took home “Best Supporting Actor”; at the 2013 Playhouse West film festival for his role of Teddy, in Black Irish. Notable TV and Film credits include: Robert Redford’s The American West (AMC) as Pat Garrett, Officer Durkee in House(FX) (opposite Lin-Manuel Miranda), American Crime Story(FX) as the LT. Commander (Opposite Finn Wittrock) and Jesse Struthers in Dead Men the Series(SONY). Ric has directed over 20 plays for theatre and has directed, produced, and written 5 award-winning films and been involved in over 12 film productions. Ric currently has a new western TV series in development at Sony. Mr. Maddox is also the former head of drama at Live Oak Classical school in Waco and both years led his students to victory, advancing to TAPPS district and being state qualifiers in the top 5 for the state. In 2021 Mr. Maddox took home State runner up for “These Shining Lives”; and took home several awards. Mr. Maddox is also the Artistic Director of the acclaimed “Playhouse West Dallas” Professional Acting training program and one of the last schools to teach the authentic Meisner Technique. For more info visit: www.playhousewestdallas.com