TXST’s Musical Development Laboratory Presents Ranked, A New Musical

SAN MARCOS, TX— RANKED, A New Musical will be presented on March 29 at 2 p.m. in Live Oak Hall as part of the musical theatre program’s Musical Development Laboratory.

The creative team, Kyle Holmes (Book) and David Taylor Gomes (Music and Lyrics)—a 2023 Eugene O’Neill National Music Theatre Conference semi-finalist—collaborated with Texas State musical theatre faculty and students during a week-long workshop to further develop this exciting new version of the show.

RANKED has been performed by over 100 high schools and universities worldwide, was the subject of the HBO documentary “My So-Called High School Rank,” and was featured at SXSW EDU. Building on the immense popularity of its high school edition, this newly revamped version includes an updated script and several new songs designed with commercial production in mind. The result is a fresh, mature take on a timely and poignant story.

Set in a dystopian world where academic success determines a student’s future, RANKED follows students who are publicly scored and relentlessly defined by their numbers. Lily is barely above the average. With the impending update of the academic leader board, tensions rise as rankings are revealed, friendships fracture, and families struggle under unbearable expectations. 

As ambition collides with anxiety, the students must decide: What are they willing to sacrifice—or fight for—in a system obsessed with success at any cost? Don’t miss this compelling performance of RANKED on March 29 at 2 p.m. in Live Oak Hall. Admission is free, but seating is limited.

Kyle Holmes (Book) is an educator, playwright, and co-founder of Uproar Theatrics, a licensing company dedicated to bringing new and diverse plays and musicals to theatres worldwide. With a decade of experience as a high school theatre director, Holmes co-authored the California K-12 Visual and Performing Arts State Standards. His musical RANKED has been performed by over 100 high schools and universities across the globe and is the subject of the HBO documentary My So-Called High School Rank. He is a member of the Dramatists Guild, ASCAP, and a proud alum of artEquity’s first National Board Training cohort.
kpholmes.com | @kylepholmes

David Taylor Gomes (Music and Lyrics) is a composer, music director, and actor, best known for RANKED. His work was selected as a semi-finalist in the 2023 Eugene O’Neill National Music Theatre Conference. Gomes has collaborated with regional theatres such as Village Theatre, The 5th Avenue Theatre, Artswest, Seattle Children's Theatre, and Sacramento Theatre Company. In addition to performing, he coaches singers, songwriters, and pianists at his music studio in Seattle. His students have performed on Broadway, national tours, The Disney Channel, and in regional theatres across the U.S. Gomes is a proud member of Actor’s Equity, ASCAP, and AFM, where he serves on the executive committee.
davidtaylorgomes.com | @daytaygo