As junior Liz Larsen accepted the role of stage manager for the play “The Lion who Lost his Roar” she had no idea that this job would later win her a scholarship for all her hard work at the 2012 Thespian Festival on Jan. 27-28.
Thespians such as drama teacher Samantha Brown and her class gathered at the annual Thespian Festival at Alma High School. The festival actually began Jan. 25, but the competitions, workshops, and awards didn’t start until Jan. 27. It’s the only theater competition in Arkansas that is held annually.
“I love this trip. I talk it up every year,” said Ms. Brown.
While at the festival students competed in solo acting, duet acting, duet mime, improv acting, stage management, and a technical challenge.
Larsen won superior in the stage management competition.
“I enjoyed the competition despite my nerves,” said Larsen.
For the competition she had to give a presentation on the last play she was stage manager of as well as a description of the play and her job duties. As a result of winning superior, Larsen won a scholarship for $2,500 for Northwestern State in Louisiana.
Unfortunately the scholarship must be used in this coming school year, so Larsen will be unable to use this. She plans on competing again next year and hopes to win again.
“It was really fun, we all had a blast, and it was good to be around theater,” she said.
This is Ms. Brown’s fourth trip to the Thespian Festival. Her classes spent all of November and December preparing for their one competition of the year. To attend the festival students must be a member of the International Thespian Society, be a part of the school troop, as well as have over 100 hours of theater.
“Even though only certain kids can go, it’s a great opportunity. We get to see what other schools are doing,” she said. “It’s also inspiring for me as a teacher to see all the energy the kids get from going.”
Even though there are competitions for the students to compete in, there is also a set of workshops going on to allow the students to learn a few tricks of the trade. They could learn audition techniques, dance, stage fencing and even make-up.
“Everything at the festival is great, but most importantly is that the students gain motivation from attending,” said Ms. Brown. “They see what they can gain and it’s recognition for all the hard work and hours they put in to what they love.”