Hey thespians! I spent last weekend in Salem, Oregon for the 2016 Oregon State Thespian Festival. This was my first time on the West Coast as well as my last thespian conference for the season! The theme of this conference was “State Wars” and it was a weekend to remember, centered around theatre and community.
My first day at Festival, I had the opportunity to judge Oregon Thespian Honor Troupe presentations. The main aspect of these presentations was the “Spotlight Focus”, which essentially was an innovative community service project that a troupe created. From plays about social issues, raising money for a service dog and teaching theatre to students with disabilities, these schools re-defined my understanding of what it meant to give back to your community. That evening, the Festival was officially kicked off with opening ceremonies in the beautiful Elsinore Theatre and was followed by a production of Radium Girls by Ashland High School, Troupe 4630.
Friday was Jr. Thespian day at the Oregon Festival and that morning I had the opportunity to speak to the juniors about my experience as a JSTO, STO and ITO. Around 10am, I taught my ‘Be the Change’ leadership workshop for the last time to nine awesome gals. Throughout the day, thespians checked out the Broadway Cares Silent Auction, participated in Tech Challenge, and talked to college at STEVE (State Thespian Educational Vendor Expo). We closed that evening with a lively performance of Once on this Island performed by Clackamas High School, Troupe 2351.
Saturday morning began with teaching NAPS to a great group of thespians and STO candidates ready to learn more about advocating for their troupes. Afterwards I sat in on the STO candidate question and answer session to learn more about each candidate’s platform. I then addressed the candidates giving them advice as they continued to be leaders in their states and in their troupes. At lunch I sat in on the Troupe President’s meeting and learned more about some of the Oregon Thespian goals and initiatives that the STO had been working on throughout the year. We closed the conference with an amazing show case performance featuring IEs from The Drowsy Chaperone, First Date, Guys and Dolls and more!
Though I was 2,000 miles away from Georgia, I felt right at home with Oregon thespians! It was a great conference to wrap up my conference season as an ITO! Up next will be the International Festival in Lincoln Nebraska this June! For more information visit schooltheatre.org and remember to follow me at ITOOfficial (snapchat), ITOEmmaA (twitter), and International Thespian Officers (Instagram and Facebook). Until next time!