January 5, 2017. The school day dredged on as I awaited my early dismissal to head to the Maryland State Thespian Festival... Finally the time rolled around and I couldn't have run out any quicker! I headed to my car and rushed home, ready to go! Double checking all my packing to make sure I had everything I needed, my journey began!
After a three hour drive I finally arrived at the Towson Convention Center in Maryland! After heading to my beautiful room and setting down my luggage, I rushed down to meet the Chapter Director, Mrs. Dorothy DeLucci, and several wonderful "MTO," Maryland Thespian Officers. We all jumped in Mrs. DeLucci's car and headed to the University. There I met all the other MTO, adult board members, and met up with my PHENOMENAL EdTA Rep, Jo Strom Lane!! We all immediately got to work stuffing bags and organizing shirts and venue rooms! We worked against the clock, talking, bonding, and getting to know each other! By the time we were supposed to start heading home, we felt accomplished and like we each had 12 new best friends!
The next morning had an early start with school busses arriving at 8 AM we reached the venue by 7! We pulled out all registration bags, set up the table and split up into groups for bus hops. We ran into the crisp (and snowy) outdoors and hopped into busses meeting incredible Thespians and introducing ourselves. This is where I met so many wonderful Maryland Thespians! Including the director and students of the brand new Troupe at The Jemicy School, the wonderful students of Bullis, a reunion with the students of Liberty High School, and so many others! From here we went right into opening ceremonies for both tracks! We did bucket runs, announcements, and went over a few housekeeping items as this was the first year of the Maryland Festival being at a college campus (yay!) Next, I started setting up for my Leadership workshop. With two back to back teaching sessions I couldn't be more excited! Getting to teach a workshop twice with two different wonderful groups??? YES PLEASE! After Leadership and many hugs the wonderful Thespians I met while teaching, I moved to continue working with the MTO. Next up, I was lucky enough to judge a Maryland tradition of "trash costumes!" The wonderful, and hilarious, Derek Lane and myself had a wonderful time judging this competition and getting to see the talent of so many Thespians in such a fun way! Before we knew it, day one of festival was over, I ended the night helping some incredible MTO prepare for their coming IEs and then I turned in around midnight anticipating an early start the next day.
Day two was just as fantastic as the first, I taught two sessions of NAPS to wondering and eager to learn groups, I got to bond with the phenomenal MTO, I was a part of the first round of MTO interviews, and by the time closing ceremonies and the IE showcase came around, nobody wanted to say goodbye. But unfortunately, we had to, not for long though, as we all knew we'd see each other again soon at International! Much love to the MTO, adult board, my EdTA Rep, and the entire delegation of Maryland, thank you for allowing me to join in on the fun!
Until Internationals, make sure to stay in touch with your ITO by following us on all of our social media (@internationalthespianofficers on Instagram, @ITOOfficial on Snapchat, The International Thespian Officers on Facebook, @ITOViceChair on Twitter)!
The MTO!
Getting Sashed!
My incredible EdTA Rep!
Leadership Workshop!
Closing Ceremonies