When Seguin middle schooler Megan Avery grows up, she knows just the kind of person she wants to be. That’s because she’s got a great example in Angelise Plata, a junior majoring in dramatic media at TLU who, when she’s not juggling classes and projects of her own, dedicates her time to working with students a little further up Court Street at A.J. Briesemeister Middle School.
“When I first met her, she was so kind to me,” says Avery. “She is amazing at what she does, and she inspires me to grow up and be like her! I love how dedicated she is to us and how she is so focused on us. I love Ms. Angelise so much, she is an amazing person, and she deserves the best.”
Words like that mean everything to Plata, who volunteers at AJB as a mentor and technical coach for the school’s Starlettes Dance Team and the Toro Theatre Company. She’s lucky enough to be working with two of her favorite people: her mom, Denise Ebarra, the head director and teacher of the theatre program and director of the dance team; and her brother, Paul Ayala, the assistant and choreographer for the theatre program as well as the head coach and choreographer for the dance team.
“I truly love working alongside them and learning by watching their dedication and creativity in action,” says Plata. “Our passion for the students and the arts doesn’t stop when we leave campus—we’re constantly sharing ideas at home, planning, and finding new ways to help our productions and dancers grow and succeed.”
This love for the performing arts is nothing new to Plata and her family. “I truly feel like I’ve loved theatre my entire life—it’s been part of who I am for as long as I can remember,” she says.
She was only three when she took the stage for the first time at the Cameo Theatre in downtown San Antonio, where her mom worked as a stage manager, wig designer, and production manager. “Growing up surrounded by rehearsals, costumes, music, and storytelling felt completely magical, and I think that’s where my love for the stage was born,” says Plata. “My brother was also deeply involved as an actor, dancer, and technician, so theatre wasn’t just something I did—it was part of our family’s world.”
As Plata gained years, she also gained experience, performing in shows and musicals across San Antonio, not just at the Cameo, but also at the Woodlawn Theatre and the San Pedro Playhouse. “With every production, my passion only grew stronger,” she says. “Each stage taught me something new about storytelling, discipline, and confidence, and somewhere along the way I realized this wasn’t just something I loved—it was what I was meant to do.”
And that brought her to TLU. “When I first arrived as a freshman, I was honestly nervous about the film side of my major,” she recalls. “It felt unfamiliar and intimidating. But as the years have passed, that fear has transformed into genuine love and excitement. I’ve discovered that I adore filmmaking just as much as I love being onstage performing.”
Plata says she owes that growth to the guidance she’s received from within the Dramatic Media Department. “I truly have the best mentors I could have ever hoped for in Professor David Legore and Professor Shannon Ivey. They don’t just teach theatre and film—they teach us how to live in this field, how to pursue our dreams with confidence, and how to turn passion into real, tangible success.”
For Plata, the measure of success will include adding her teacher certification to her degree. “My goal is to become a dance teacher at A.J. Briesemeister Middle School, where I hope to pour my experience and passion into the next generation of performers,” she says. “I’ve been dancing for 18 years, including competitive dance and team experience, and it would mean so much to work alongside my mom and brother as they teach theatre while I help build and strengthen the school’s dance program.”
Since Plata’s undergrad degree includes an emphasis on both theatre and film, she also looks forward to ongoing work with the middle school’s theatre department. “I especially enjoy creating small film projects and involving the students as actors, because it gives them a chance to experience filmmaking firsthand and hopefully sparks that same creative passion in them,” she says. “When the time eventually comes for me to hang up my dancing shoes, I hope to transition into teaching theatre so I can continue sharing my love for the performing arts with students.”
AJB Principal Linda Guzman is no doubt glad that such a gifted teacher wants to stay the course and build a career in the field of education. “Our AJB Theatre and Dance programs have experienced tremendous growth these past few years,” Guzman says. “Participation has increased, student confidence is soaring, and the excitement surrounding performances is felt across our entire campus. What began as small programs has evolved into a vibrant part of our school culture. Students are taking risks, discovering their talents, and supporting one another in new ways. The energy at rehearsals and performances reflects a positive culture shift—one where creativity, collaboration, and pride in our school community are on full display. AJB Theatre and Dance is not just growing in numbers; it is growing in impact.”
And Plata’s dream doesn’t end on the middle school stage. “Ultimately, my biggest dream is to open my own fine arts school—a place where students can train in theatre, film, and all styles of dance, and where we can produce full-scale productions that inspire creativity, confidence, and community.”
There is a common thread that runs through all of these career goals for Plata: the joy of seeing the spark in her students. “The most gratifying part of my work with kids is getting to witness their transformation,” she explains. “So many of them walk in unsure of where they belong or who they are, and then, little by little, you see that spark ignite—the moment they discover a passion, a purpose, and a sense of confidence in themselves as they navigate the ups and downs of middle school and growing up. Watching them begin to dream, set goals, and imagine futures in dance, theatre, or the arts is incredibly moving, because you can actually see their belief in themselves start to take shape.”
And once they’re free to dream, those students can start taking steps toward sharing their passion with others, just like Plata has done.
Take Jenna Avery, for example. She’s a senior at Seguin High School who plans to follow in Plata’s footsteps. “Angelise is so inspirational and genuine and has pushed me to do things that I would never have done without her. She has also inspired me to continue my education after high school at TLU in dramatic media!”
Plata couldn’t be prouder. “Knowing that I can inspire them the way my mentors inspired me is something I will never take for granted,” she says. “Those are the moments that remind me why I do this, and they truly feel like the greatest accomplishment I could ever hope for.”