Meet the Directors
Marco Bazan
Marco Bazan has been a director for the James Bowie High School Starlight Theatre Company since 2004. He received a Bachelor of Journalism with Honors from the University of Texas at Austin, where he double-majored in Theatre with a minor in Literature. Three years into a public relations career, he was inspired to delve into the teaching profession involving his passion for theatre. After three years at Donna High School, where he helped rejuvenate a struggling high school theatre program, he was excited to have the opportunity to join Betsy Cornwell in leading the Starlight Theatre Company. As part of the company, he has helped develop the musical theatre academic program, expand the Forensics (speech and debate) and UIL Academic Team programs, and establish our program in local, state and national organizations and competitions. Since joining Bowie, he has been proud to serve on AISD Theatre Curriculum Writing committee, AISD District Advisory Committee, AISD Facilities Planning, AISD Summer Musical, TSCA Educator Training committee, NSDA Heart of Texas District Leadership Committee and has had the opportunity to present at state conventions for TETA and TSCA.
Matthew Humphrey
matthew.humphrey@austinisd.org
Matthew Humphrey is a Bowie Starlight Theatre alumnus. He attended Southern Methodist University and received his BFA in Theatre. After graduation, he performed professionally for about ten years. His spare time is spent following around his pups, She-Ra and Bartleby. He is thrilled to have the honor of working with such a talented team of directors and young artists.
Cory Bluemling
cory.bluemling@austinisd.org
Cory Bluemling comes to Bowie by way of fifteen years of teaching experience. He holds an MFA from the University of Delaware in Fine Arts (Ceramics), double Masters from Cal State Northridge (Ceramics, Public Art), and a BA from Cal State Northridge in TV/Film. He was most recently the Director of STEAM at St. Gabriel's in Austin and before that taught at The Archer School for Girls (Los Angeles), and the Aspen Community School (Colorado).
Betsy Cornwell
(March 21, 1952 – August 13, 2023)
Betsy Cornwell taught in the Austin Independent School District for over thirty years and was the Theatre Director at James Bowie High School from the time the school was established in 1988. While at Bowie, Betsy built the Starlight Theatre Company program into one of the leading educational theatre companies in the state. Many of her students have gone on to successful careers on Broadway, in film and television, and as successful theatre teachers in their own right. In 2022, the new theatre at Bowie was named in her honor and the building is referred to as "The Betsy" by her colleagues and students. As a leader and advocate in theatre education, Betsy served as a board member for the Center for Educator Development in Fine Arts (CEDFA) for 21 years and as President of the Texas Educational Theatre Association (TETA) from 2003-2005. TETA recognized her with the Founders Award in 1995.
