October 15, 2022

On Saturday, the North Texas Performing Arts celebrated its 2022 NTPA Stardust Award recipients for Leadership and Education at Southfork Ranch in Parker, Texas. The Distinguished Performing Arts Leader award was awarded to Gregory Arp, Plano ISD Theatre & Speech Coordinator. Mr. Arp has led Plano ISD’s theatre and speech program strategy for the past eight years and has been a professional educator for almost three decades.

Gregory Arp began teaching in the Plano school system in 1996 at Wilson Middle School, where he was named “Teacher of the Year” in 2000. He then went on to Vines High School and later Plano Senior High, where he was the Director of Theatre and Performing Arts Chair and named Teacher of the Year in 2012. In 2014 he went on to serve as Plano ISD’s Coordinator for Speech and Theatre. He is an Associate of Arts Theatre Performance graduate of South Plains College, Bachelor of Arts Theatre Performance graduate of West Texas State University, completed post graduate work in Education at the University of North Texas and completed his Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction with a minor in Teacher Leadership, Concordia University, Portland.

“Greg has left an extraordinary legacy for the performing arts in Plano and across North Texas, and our Selection Committee couldn’t have chosen a more deserving honoree for our inaugural Distinguished Performing Arts Leadership Stardust Award.” says NTPA Chief Executive Officer Darrell Rodenbaugh. “I am in awe of his efforts in support of Plano ISD performing arts students and the hundreds of personal hours he dedicates to attending their productions across the city.”

“I am thankful to NTPA for their support for performing arts education and promoting leadership across the region” says Gregory Arp. “I have enjoyed working with this organization over the years and value their contribution to the performing arts across North Texas.”

Gregory Arp, Plano ISD Theatre & Speech Coordinator.

NTPA also awarded two Plano ISD educators with Stardust Awards, including the Distinguished High School Performing Arts Educator Award to Carmen McElwain of Shepton High School and the Distinguished Middle School Arts Educator Award to Joshua Batty of Armstrong Middle School. The honorees for the arts community leadership awards are nominated by the public and award determinations are made by a committee of judges including performing arts leaders, educators, and professionals from across Texas. 

Carmen McElwain, recipient of the Distinguished High School Performing Arts Educator Award

Josh Batty, recipient of the Distinguished Middle School Performing Arts Educator Award