Drama department presents ‘Crease’ at state convention

Amy Brammer Photo Chief

Every year drama students from all over Nebraska join together for the Nebraska State Thespian Convention, named for the first actor Thespis. This year the festival was held‘on Jan. 14 and 15 at Bellevue East. The theme of this year’s convention was “Thespis rocks the 20’s” in honor of the 75® anniversary of the organization.

Twenty-four schools participated this year. The only main stage production and the opening act of the festival was Millard South’s musical “Grease.” Besides performing, other activities the students participated in on Friday included watching three one act plays, participating in a workshop put on by Marcie Sturiale from Camp Broadway in New York and an auction to raise money for the scholarships awarded at the end of the festival.

This year both Heather Abraham and Robby Gordy from Millard South received $400 each in scholarship money. During the auction, schools donate items they wish to auction off and this year Millard South students came home with a few of those items. Sophomore David Frolio came home with an Elvis costume, senior Bailey Carlson brought back a vest and a decorative mask, a fruit hat was won by senior Kendra Way, and a stuffed red dog found a home with junior Josh Boie. Millard South also helped in raising money during the auction when a female thespian from another school paid $25 to see junior Ryan Dinning do a back flip which participants had previously seen done during Millard South’s “Grease” performance. To close the evening the participants enjoyed the annual dance.

On Saturday students participated in improv olympics, which was won last year by the Millard South team, and in the first annual technical olympics, in which Millard South placed second. The tech olympics team this year consisted of seniors Brett Lawton, Tyler Coffey, Heather Abraham, Lisa McCollum, Casey Mitchell, and junior Wade Sullivan. As the vice presidential school Millard South students helped drama director, Robyn Baker set up and run both competitions. Next year Baker will become the president of the Nebraska Chapter of the International Thespian Society which will make Millard South the presidential school. Saturday also included showcase of the stars, a rion competitive talent show, seven one act plays, two workshop sessions which included workshops in acting, directing and stage managememt, stage combat, and technical theater. The awards banquet concluded the festival.

During the festival, students are given the oppurtunity to meet drama students from all over Nebraska and for some people that is their favorite part.

“You get the oppurtunity to meet tons of people who have the same passion for theater as you and you get to celebrate that passion,” senior Megan Fangmeyer said.