LH filmmaker Kirk Johnson will debut Austin High April 20th at The Kessler.

If you’ve followed LHHS graduate and filmmaker Kirk Johnson, including his Super Bowl contest Doritos commercial last year or even his wacky days as a Wildcat Bell Boy back in 2002, you know he’s a talented young man with a crazy sense of humor. This month, you can see his newest project, a full length feature film called Austin High.

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Described as a “coming of age film for a very unique city deep in the heart of Texas, known for decades as a slacker town and the mecca for all things weird,” Austin High comes to Oak Cliff’s Kessler Theater after making its debut last month to two sold out screening at Austin’s Alamo Draft House.

Admittedly rated R “for a few good reasons” according to Kirk’s mom, Debbie, Austin High tells the story of the faculty and students of Ladybird High School as the town is threatened with a citywide crackdown on marijuana. As it morphs into an all-out “War on Weird,” can Principal Wilson motivate the slackers to fight to keep Austin’s essence, or will the city they love become just another center of consumerist comfort?

Kirk and fellow filmmaker Mike Wilson will be on hand to introduce the movie and answer questions when it debuts in Dallas Wednesday, April 20th at The Kessler.  Doors open at 8:30 pm for the 9 o’clock show, and you must be 18 or older. Tickets are $10, but I think it’ll be worth the small additional fee to buy online here, since chances are good the show will sell out. Good luck, Kirk!

Author

  • Carol Toler

    Blogger CAROL TOLER and her husband, Toby, are the parents of four LHHS graduates. She has an MBA from SMU and is the proud recipient of the Exchange Club of LH's Unsung Hero Award and Councilman McGough's Blake Anderson Public Service Award. She received LHHS PTA's Extended Service Award, FMJH PTA's Charger Award and a Life Membership from the LHFC PTA. She has moderated candidate debates for Dallas Mayor, Dallas City Council and RISD Trustee races and taught seminars on garnering publicity for nonprofits. She completed training with Dallas Truth, Racial Healing and Transformation and Inside RISD, and she's a sustaining member of LH Women's League. She has served on the boards of After8 to Educate, Dallas Free Press, Healing Hands Ministries and Camp Sweeney and chaired fundraisers for multiple Dallas nonprofits. Email ctoler@advocatemag.com.