One of the International Thespian Officers’ main goals for
the year is to expand the use of Community. We highlight the different state
chapter events each month by asking a few questions. We hope this sparks
creativity when you're planning your next event!
Our latest tour stops included: Arkansas, Georgia, Montana,
Minnesota, and North Carolina!
❖
How many people attend?
“Approximately 570 Thespians this year!”
Morgan Solonar,
President of Montana STO board
“4,200 students. With
Vendors and directors that number rises to a solid 4,500.”
Ellen Everitt,
Georgia STO
“Around 400 students!”
Dobbs DeCorsey,
Minnesota STO
“368 people attended in
total.”
Talie Patalano,
South Carolina Thespian
“Around 700 students.”
Rachel Jarchow,
Arkansas SSO
❖
Where is it held?
“ Our event is held at the University of Montana in the Montana Repertoire
Theatre in Missoula.”
Morgan Solonar-
President of Montana STO board
“Columbus, GA.”
Ellen Everitt,
Georgia STO
“East Ridge High
School and the Gunthrie Theater!”
Dobbs DeCorsey, Minnesota STO
“This was our first
year at the Raleigh Convention Center.”
Talie Patalano,
North Carolina Thespian
“Russellville High School”
Rachel Jarchow,
Arkansas SSO
❖
What makes your conference unique?
“Montana is fortunate to hold our event
at the University of Montana. I think the University exposes students to
different hands-on workshop opportunities, and the faculty providing quality
training to students to prepare them for studying theatre in the future. Also
on the Friday night of Festival Mrs. DeGrandpre, the chapter director, buys
every attendee a ticket to the Montana Repertoire Theatre’s performance to
allow every student to be able to experience a professional show. Lastly,
Montana holds Thespian Olympics on Saturday afternoon where the students create
a “Death By (blank)” improvd scene and it is always a hit to see what the kids
can come up with!”
Morgan Solonar-
President of Montana STO board
“ The people. GA
Thespians are unlike any other in this country. Despite being from a state that
ranks being the lowest nationally in support for the arts and education,
Georgia Thespians persevere in the face of adversity and rise to a level of
excellence that continues to leave the theatre community in shock and awe.”
Ellen Everitt,
Georgia STO
“That we have an
awesome partnership with a local professional theater (th Guthrie.) and so we
are able to take workshops from pretty incredible professionals.”
Dobbs DeCorsey,
Minnesota STO
“Our conference is
unique because at the end of our festival we have our “Tarheel Tapestry”. It’s
where the students who received “critics choice” get to perform their pieces in
front of everyone. At our festival everyone is so supportive of each each
other. As cut throat the world can be, it’s nice to see everyone getting along
and genuinely wishing the best for others. Troupes don’t just stay to
themselves either! We all intermingle at dinner which causes us to make
friends!”
Talie Patalano,
North Carolina Thespian
“The Opening Ceremony
at our festival is the best part of the whole weekend. We do a big opening
number introducing our SSO and two representatives from each troupe attending!
It's a great way to get the energy going and get the festival started!”
Rachel Jarchow,
Arkansas SSO
❖
What is the most challenging part of organizing your
state event?
“The hardest part with planning our event is to adhere to the requirements made
by the university, and the different troupes. Sometimes it can be difficult to
accommodate everyone’s needs, but we try the best we can!”
Morgan Solonar- President of Montana STO board
“Stepping
away from yourself is the hardest part. For example, each year we host a dance
that is the epitome of a bad time for me. I’m just not a dance person. However,
I know it’s widely loved by the Thespians, so this year when we were asked to
vote on the possible abolition of the dance, I had to vote not with what I
wanted, but what the community wanted. And in the end, that is what the STO
function for. To be the official voice of GA Thespians.”
Ellen Everitt,
Georgia STO
“Trying to have
people from all over the state coming together at the same time consistently.
Everybody is so busy, but somehow we always get everything together.”
Dobbs DeCorsey,
Minnesota STO
“With so many people
attending the festival, there are many different places to be at once! It is
challenging to find enough volunteers to man the posts to keep things running
smoothly!”
Rachel Jarchow,
Arkansas SSO
“We had a new director
take over and added many things that improved our festival. We changed
locations, extended to 3 days, and added a dance. The dance allowed us to meet
each other and just have fun. It was an amazing experience and I know the North
Carolina festival will just continue to grow and get better.”
Talie Patalano,
North Carolina Thespian
