As I sat at 7AM in a lecture on multivariable calculus, I struggled to focus on the task at hand. I was distracted and excited because I knew that in just a few hours I would begin my journey to the Wyoming State Drama Competition! Soon after class, I was on a plane bound for Chicago which connected me to my next flight, destination: Denver, Colorado. After arriving in Denver, the wonderful Ms. Debbie Corbin picked me up and we drove the last two hours of our journey to Laramie, Wyoming. We arrived around 10PM, checked into our beautiful hotel, and, in preparation for the exciting weekend to come, went to sleep.
The next day, we woke up early and drove to the University of Wyoming’s performing arts center to talk to troupes as they checked in. There were about 650 people registered for the festival from far and wide. Some drove up to 5 hours to attend! I was honored to meet lots of students as they prepped for their weekend and relaxed in their “camps”. The festival officially began at 1:30PM, and we were off! Incredible events were constantly happening around campus like student written duet acting, costume design, competitive makeup design and application, and so many more. Next, I timed students competing in the National Individual Events Program for monologues. The Wyoming students all supported each other and congratulated each other on great performances. After talking to a few more, incredible, Wyomingites (cool, right?), Ms. Corbin and I grabbed some dinner and headed to bed.
Friday was exciting because I taught my Leadership and N.A.P.S. workshops to a group of driven and enthusiastic Thespians. During the workshops we both metaphorically and literally snapped our weakness and used them to support our strengths, played a few games, and, of course, ate lots of candy! As I left my workshop, it began to snow! But the students weren't phased by single digit temperatures- and as they say, the show must go on! That night, the Wyoming students participated in our Minute to Give It campaign and raised $370.70, including a $100.00 contribution from Thespian Troupe #1! We also watched an amazing cast from University of Wyoming perform Women Playing Hamlet. After lots of laughs and a full day, we turned in for the night.
The final day of Wyoming Festival was filled with anticipation. I started by timing many hopeful students as they competed to perform at ITF in the category of Solo Musical Theatre. Then, all of the students at the festival rotated between three theatres to watch the winning one acts for each stage. After everyone saw all three, the students got to vote for their favorite, and the students choice was then selected as Wyoming’s Chapter Select show to perform in Lincoln this June. The weekend concluded with a closing ceremony filled with awards and recognition for the fantastic students of Wyoming!
Wyoming State Drama Competition was a wonderful festival and an amazing start to my travel as an ITO! I hope to see many of my 650 new friends at the International Thespian Festival! Be sure to keep up with our adventures by following @internationalthespianofficers on Instagram, @ITOOfficial on Snapchat, The International Thespian Officers on Facebook,and @ITOBrittanyS on Twitter! Additionally, I am always available my email at BSmith@schooltheatre.org. Thank you again to everyone who made my trip so great and remember- Act well your part; there all the honor lies.
