The Alley Cat Players

Mr. Escandell brought a theatre background to teaching English at LASA, and approached the principal to remind her of this as soon as he heard there was an opening to teach theatre for the 2022-2023 school year. Fresh off directing The Twelve Huntsmen for Austin ISD’s Summer Theatre Series in July, he is now entering his third year teaching theatre and directing (and designing, and building, etc.) at LASA. His enthusiasm creates a joyful, connected culture and his cerebral and insightful nature ensure students will gain a deep understanding of the material and of the impact of their choices as actors, designers, and technicians. Though quiet and unassuming, if you’re lucky enough to catch him in a chatty mood, odds are he will have very specific, thoughtful, and moving observations about your child. 

Mr. Burford graduated from Rice University, where he specialized in Shakespearean literature and performance. He first learned to read and write from playing text-based computer role-playing games as a young boy, and his love of all the non-athletic games (video games, role-playing games, and board games) continues to this day. He enjoys finding modern connections in ancient texts and hopes that his students will find their own versions of that joy as well.