"Dashing TO the snow" easily became my go-to festive, winter song as I traveled after school towards the Missouri State Thespian Festival. I'd left my home for the airport immediately after school, and with an impending ice storm headed towards St. Louis, Missouri, I did nothing but prepare for the fun ahead of me.
I arrived at the airport to meet the ever-so-amazing Diane Carr who would be my EdTA Rep for the weekend, and I know it would be a great one! After arriving at my hotel, I walked into the swarm of thespians that anxious sat awaiting to receive the room assignments so they, too, could kick off their weekend right with a good nights sleep! After settling in and briefly meeting the STO Quartet, I headed to bed to catch some Z's in preparation for the weekend ahead of me (But not before a little biology homework).
The first day began with a bang: Opening ceremonies consisted of delivering awards, recognizing troupes, and even a few words of advice from Ben Jeffrey who has played Pumbaa in The Lion King on broadway for over seven years! After lunch, workshops began rolling. I was able to help work the STO's auction tables which held their Broadway Cares memorabilia, as well as various other items that might fit the fancy of many Missouri Thespians. Around 3pm, I headed over to the theatre with Maddie, one of the four STOs, to see the Missouri All-State Show Iphigenia a greek tragedy conceptualized to deal with the modern day struggles of Syrian refugees. Needless to say, the show was amazing and Missouri is a force to be reckoned with in the ITF Mainstage Selection process: best of luck Missouri Thespians!
Next was the saddest part: the impending ice storm sweeping Missouri made the phones of theatre directors ring like song birds. School administration began calling home schools, and it seemed as though the student population began falling. With grace, some thespians fought for the passion to stay for their final chance to enjoy their state convention, but in the end, some had to gracefully bow out and obey the final word. To all the Missouri Thespians who had to make the journey home, I encourage you to keep your heads up. remember that art can still be celebrated and enjoyed within the comfort of your own homes. Administration may not always be on our sides, but we must fight the hard battle to show how important arts really are! #artsmatter
After sorting through that, I quickly grabbed a bite to eat and headed back to the convention center to teach my NAPS workshop to the wonderfully small group of students I had in attendance. It really made advocacy feel even more like a conversation, which sometimes, can be the most effective! After wrapping that up, and seeing some amazingly talented thespians at the Talent Show, I headed off to bed in preparation for the next day ahead of me!
Friday brought another string of events: I kicked off my day by assisting judge the Theatre for Life scholarships in which students presented their theatre background and future for various judges who asked question, all in support of their love for the arts. All around, congratulations to all of the finalists who presented for their scholarships. Then on, throughout the day, I worked back and forth at the STO table until that night when I had my leadership workshop "Finding Your Mystery Incorporated" where I lead about 60 thespians through some amazing, Scooby Doo fun! (prepare yourself Louisiana Thespians, it's coming your way!) It was a wonderful turn out and we even counted to 55 together in the ever so complicated game of anonymous counting to the end! After that, I saw the wonderful production of Nevermore: The Imaginary Life and Mysterious Death of Edgar Allan Poe presented by Parkway South High School. After visiting the dance and trivia with hundreds of awesome thespians, I headed to bed to wrap up the next day.
Saturday saw the end of the Missouri Thespian conference. Students presented IEs for the whole delegation, and in the end, left St. Louis with a love of theatre so strong, I could see hearts overflowing.
All in all, I thank you Missouri for showing me your passion, love, and resilience. You really proved to me that arts is STILL worth the hard work and fight we go through. We can't ever stop.
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Au revoir Thespians!