Posted on 02/24/2020
Over 90 high school students from across the District recently attended the Missouri State Thespian Conference 2020 held in Kansas City. During the three-day conference, the students competed in a variety of theater events and took home some impressive awards and honors.
The competition categories included vocal and technical performances, a tech challenge, an improv event, and more. FHN students Bryce James and Anjolina Blackwell scored a superior rating in the duet acting category and were invited to perform at the Fine Arts Day at the Capitol. The FHN tech challenge team placed second in the “Costume Quick Change” event and fourth place in the “Props Shift” event.
FHC students Josiah Haan and Isaiah Henry competed in the duet musical category and scored a superior rating. Haan also won a technical theater scholarship, which is given to only three students in Missouri each year. Rachel Vrazel (FHC) was one of four students selected as a Missouri State Thespian Officer, while Sam Cole (FHC) was cast in the all-state show “A Streetcar Named Desire.”
FHHS students also attended the conference and earned Honor Troupe status, which “recognizes troupes that do outstanding work in their school and/or community and achieve a high level of excellence, both on and off stage.”
While the conference allows students to show off their skills, it also provides them with an opportunity to learn from the experts. Students can choose from hundreds of workshops over the three days. The learning opportunities cover a variety of topics, including scriptwriting, props and costumes, dance, circus acts, and more. “The conference is a chance for them to really explore all of the aspects of theater that may not be available anywhere else or that we cannot necessarily teach,” said FHN Director of Theatre Arts Kim Sulzner.
Among the many activities, students also have time to meet and network with professionals in different areas. “They can see that no matter what they do related to theater, it overlaps and can help them in other areas of life,” shared Sulzner. Whether they are preparing for a college or job interview, auditioning for a role, or networking with professionals, experiences like the thespian conference can give them the self-assuredness that will take them far in life!