November 19 to November 22, Wildcat Theatre Department will be in Grapevine, TX to compete in the Texas Thespians State Festival, where they will compete in International Technical and Acting Events, participate in State competitions, and attend workshops to expand upon their theatrical experience and knowledge.
The International Thespians Society is an honor society for theatre students, in both acting and technical disciplines. Every year high school theatre troupes choose students from their company to attend their state-level competition, where they will present their works under one of three categories: International Acting Events, International Technical Events, and State Team Design.
“Thespians is for students who take theatre seriously,” Natallia Moreno (12) said. “This is my first year going to a state festival, but all of the meetings leading up to it makes it feel like its full of fun and new experiences.”
International Acting Events are what most students picture when they think of a theatre competition. Students can present solo, duo, or group performances in front of three judges, in the form of performing short scenes from plays, reenacting musical numbers, or choreographing their own dance. There are also Solo Technical Events at Thespians each year, where students can design from many avenues: costume design and construction, lights, sounds, set design, props, and stage management. Students are able to present a design element from a realized show that they participated in during their school year or create and design an original piece from a show that they designed for but haven’t put onto a stage.
“My favorite part about being a Thespian is all the opportunities that we have,” Morgan Garms (12) said. “Festival is such a great place to meet new people and learn things, whether that be something from a workshop or a peer.”
This year, Troupe #3352 will be participating in a Texas State-Only event, Team Costume Design. On the day of the competition, a team of four students chosen by Wildcat Theatre will be given a random show to design for. The only information provided on the show is a synopsis and short descriptions of each character. Students must rely on their own creativity and crafting materials procured before the event to create two costumes and write up a design justification for their designs in under two hours.
“Last year we won second place in Team Costume Design, so I have hopes can place high again this year,” Sophia Trejo (12) said. “I enjoyed it a lot, because it helped me get out of my shell a bit more and got me to experience new things.”
Texas Thespians State Festival is important because it allows students a space to experience what professional theatre can look like; by competing in whatever technical or artistic facet that they choose, have the opportunity to earn scholarships, and attending workshops so that they can build upon their theatric skills.
“The environment of TTSF is so exciting! Around every corner there’s people running scenes, singing, dancing, working,” Addie Detenbeck (11) said. Detenbeck is also the President of Troupe #3352. “Everyone is working toward different goals, but united under the same purpose of pursuing what they love. It’s really great.”
The Texas Thespians State Festival is an experience for many high school theatre students to see what a potential life and career in theatre could look like, under the guidance of directors, actors, and technicians alike who were once in their shoes. Besides the thrill of winning in a design competition or receiving the title of National Qualifier, students are also able to forge connections that they’ll keep for the rest of their lives, making Thespians truly something special.
Overall, Wildcat Theatre ended up bringing home __ National Qualifiers in International Events, 2nd Place in the Production Challenge State Event, finalists in the All-Star Improv State Event, and a perfect score in the Team Costume Design team event.
