Last weekend, I had the wonderful pleasure of traveling to the great state of New Hampshire to attend the Northeast Thespian Festival! With an afternoon flight leaving at around 3, I attended my first block class anxiously awaiting my early dismissal. Despite my love for the subject, I could hardly sit still throughout the course of my hour and 45 minute AP Lang class. Saying my weekend goodbyes to friends as I heard my name called over the PA system, I ran out into the Rock Ridge High School parking lot, hopped in my car, and headed home to grab my luggage!
I was so ready and excited to be back at a festival that my two hour plane ride felt more like an eternity, and as soon as we landed I was one of the first passengers to run out and rush to the closest airport exit. Awaiting my arrival right outside of the airport was the lovely New Hampshire Chapter Director, Jen LaFrance and a phenomenal Northeast RTO (Regional Thespian Officer,) Corinne, who I was lucky enough to also have as one of my roommates! We sang Hamilton in the car and admired the freshly fallen snow as we headed over to the festival venue of the University of New Hampshire.
Upon my arrival, I was immediately greeted by several warm faces (despite the cold weather of New Hampshire!) of the wonderful board members and RTO alike!
The RTO we hard at work when I arrived, we all introduced ourselves and hopped right back into the rhythm of pre-festival work! Together we wrote scripts for opening ceremonies, planned fundraisers, and bonded! The night of work needed with us heading back to the hotel and getting ready for a busy weekend ahead! I was lucky enough to have two wonderful roommates, Corinne and Kendyl, the three of us had loads of fun bonding every night and getting to know each other!
Mr. Hart, my wonderful EdTA Rep from Michigan Thespians, and I were reunited late Thursday night once he arrived at the hotel around a quarter to midnight. Mr. Hart, Corinne, Kendyl, and I talked into the wee hours of the night having a blast discussing how excited we were for the festivities to begin!
The next day started early with us arriving at the festival venue around 8:30 to start preparing for opening ceremonies and Troupe arrivals. We gathered in the UNH’s Johnson Theater and opening ceremonies kicked off! We preformed our aforementioned script (which was wonderful, by the way!) Next I headed over to a phenomenal workshop taught by four of the incredible RTO where RTO applications and responsibilities were discussed. Right after, I began setting up for my Leadership workshop and taught to a wonderful group of around twenty five Thespians! Next up on the agenda we headed over to the theater and watched the Northeast collaborative production of “Zombie Prom” where talents of students from across several states between tech and performance were fabulously showcased and shared!
Our next and final day went by quicker than anyone of us would have ever wished it go, zipping through Broadway Cares Raffles (raising around $200, YAY!) NAPS, and RTO interviews, we found ourselves at closing ceremonies wishing there was more fun to be had. But alas, the old adage that all good things must come to an end rang true with this festival as well. We said our temporary goodbyes (as we would all hopefully be reunited at ITF) and went along our ways proud of an incredibly successful weekend.
The Northeast Thespians have such a wonderfully unique community of several different states in the Northeast region combining and working together to create their delegation! Throughout the weekend and through the RTO, I was able to meet talented Thespians from so many different states! Thank you for letting me join in on the fun, and until next time, 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)!
