Jr. ThesCon Program 2025

Hello Georgia Thespians!

We’re over the rainbow with excitement for this year’s ThesCon! These three short days will bring thespians from all over Georgia together, creating memories as bright as the Emerald City. As your State Thespian Officer Board, our wish is for this year’s ThesCon to be as vibrant and inclusive as its incredible attendees. We encourage you to follow your yellow brick road to workshops, meet new friends along the way, and explore the many stories and perspectives that make the theatre community shine.

Thank you for bringing your heart, brains, and courage to this year’s conference—we hope it’s an unforgettable journey for all!

We’d like to extend a heartfelt “thank you” to everyone who helped make ThesCon possible. The Georgia Chapter Board has worked tirelessly behind the curtain to bring you an exciting and innovative ThesCon. Without their dedication and love for Georgia Thespians, this magical experience wouldn’t be possible. A special shout-out goes to Nicholas Sostillio, Shelby English, MacKenzie Staples, Richard Frazier, and Jenny Morris for their unwavering support and guidance in planning this event.

Theatre is all about the connections we make and the stories we share. So, click your heels together and join us as we celebrate that There’s No Place Like ThesCon! See you on the yellow brick road!

2024-2025 Georgia State Thespian Officer Board

Anthony, Avery, Ben, Bryson, Charles, Denzel, Farah, Jessica, Shamyla

February 22, 2025

Milledgeville, Georgia

Georgia Thespians Georgia Military College Mission Statement

Our mission is to promote excellence for Georgia students and teachers by providing growth and leadership opportunites in theatre.

Vision Statement

It is the vision of Georgia Thespians to empower students and teachers through theatre.

Land Acknowledgment

We acknowledge the land on which we gather is the seized territory of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation.

The Muscogee Nation now thrives in Oklahoma after being forced out of the area in 1836-1837. We pay respect to the Muscogee Nation and their elders.

For conference updates and communication

@GaJrThespians

facebook.com/ gathespians

2024-2025 Georgia Thespians Chapter Board EXECUTIVE BOARD Nicholas Sostillio, Chapter Director Richard Frazier-Sostillio, Asst. Chapter Director MacKenzie Staples, Treasurer

Cece Conrath, Secretary Jenny Morris, Board Director Paul Hampton, Board Director

JUNIOR CONFERENCE BOARD Rebecca Brune, Vendors | Exhibitors | Sponsors Rebecca Carter, Opening Number Leigh Crumbley, Teaching Artists Richard Frazier-Sostillio, Conference Chair | Registration Jenny Morris, Venue Liaison Kristin Norwood, Workshop Ticketing Tamara Rainwater, BACKstage Playground | Challenge

Heather Stich, Improv Challenge Mark Stich, Improv Challenge Valerie Longshore- Sargent, Membership Growth Specialist Sarah Slappey, Thespys MacKenzie Staples, Treasurer Allison Stroud, Teaching Artists Mark Weaver, Venue Liaison | Tech Support Seth Wicker, Social Media | Photography

Bryson, Denzel, Farah, Anthony, Charles, Jessica, Benvon, Shamyla, Avery State Thespian Officers

Georgia Thespians Hall of Fame R. Lynn Woody G. Ray Horne Pam Ware Linda Wise Jim Grier Clif Jones Ken Holder Carolen Hansard Mary Kraack Bonnie Marshall Ellie Bowman Yatesy Harvey Frank Pruet Roy Lewis Ken Lindahl

Janice Lewis Bonnie J. Smith Dean Slusser Sarah Ballard Eric Brannen Terry McGonigle Jerry Smith, Jr Elaine Malone Dean Feldman Paul Hampton Margaret Jacobs Shirley Spencer Gina Parrish Kimberly Staples Sharon Jiles

1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1995 1996 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2002

2003 2003 2004 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2010 2010 2011 2011 2012

Gail Jones Robby Davis Patty Lindahl Gerald Parker Cece Conrath Betty Walpert Jan Ewing Sharon Morrow Larry Smith Wes Phinney Chris Reaves

2012 2013 2013 2014 2016 2017 2018 2018 2019 2020 2022 Cassandra Edwards 2022 Michelle Morea 2023 Jenny Morris 2025 Valerie Longshore-Sargent 2025

Georgia Past EdTA Presidents Pam Ware

Eric Brannen

Jerry D. Smith, Jr.

Frank M. Pruet

Georgia Thespians Past Chapter Directors R. Lynn Woody Ellie Bowman

G. Ray Horne Mary Kraack

Pam Ware G. Ray Horne Yatesy Harvey

Dorothy R. Carter Yatesy Harvey

Pam Ware Frank M. Pruet

Paul Hampton

EdTA Hall of Fame Georgia Honorees Eric Brannen Linda Wise Terry McGonigle

Jerry D. Smith, Jr. Frank M. Pruet Kimberly Staples

Dean Feldman Paul Hampton Gina Parrish

Georgia & EdTA Administrator Award Recipients

Ed Dyson Kenny Foxx Wendell Christian Dave Shumake Doe Kirkland Susan Bryant

Barry Hemphill Michael Kemp Steve Miller Elliott Berman Ross Iddings Cliff Jones

Banks Bitterman LaCrisia Larkin Audrey Toney Dr. Michelle Taylor Steven Davis Amy Smith

William Ford Christopher McCook Lee Toomey Mark Pierce Edward Thomas D. Joi Williams

Georgia Thespians Outstanding Theatre Educators

Elanie Malone Grant Brown Sim Jones Sarah Lindahl Cynthia Corley Cece Conrath

2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013

Sharon Morrow Renee Denney Susan Simich Kimberly Watters Dotty Davis Wes Phinney

2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019

Valerie LongshoreSargent

Sarah Stoffle Meagan Williams Jake Dreiling Greta Hayes Brian Work

2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025

Conference Schedule 7:45 AM – 8:40 AM Opening Number Rehearsal New Day Center of Leadership 8:40 AM – 9:45 AM Registration | House Open New Day Center of Leadership 9:50 AM – 10:35 AM Opening Ceremonies New Day Center of Leadership 10:35 AM – 10:45 AM Transition Main Campus | Various Locations 10:45 AM – 11:40 AM Session 1 Workshops Various Locations BLUE | Thespys 11:45 AM – 12:40 PM Session 2 YELLOW | Workshops Various Locations YELLOW | Thespys

BLUE | Lunch & Vendors Bulldog Cafe TopDog Cafe 12:45 PM – 1:40 PM Session 3 BLUE | Workshops Various Locations

YELLOW | Lunch & Vendors Bulldog Cafe TopDog Cafe 1:40 PM – 1:50 PM Transition New Day Center of Leadership 1:50 PM – 2:50 PM Beetlejuice Jr.* New Day Center of Leadership

Performed by Warner Robins High School Troupe 1802 2:50 PM – 3:00 PM Transition Main Campus | Various Locations

COLLIDE New Day Center of Leadership 3:00 PM – 3:55 PM Session 4 Workshops Various Locations COLLIDE New Day Center of Leadership 4:00 PM – 4:55 PM Session 5 Workshops Various Locations Improv Challenge 5:00 PM – 5:55 PM Session 6 YELLOW | Workshops Various Locations

YELLOW | BACKstage Challenge

BLUE | Dinner & Vendors Bulldog Cafe TopDog Cafe

Closing Showcase Dinner Bulldog Cafe 6:00 PM – 6:55 PM Session 7 BLUE | Workshops Various Locations

BLUE | BACKstage Challenge

YELLOW | Dinner & Vendors Bulldog Cafe TopDog Cafe

Closing Showcase Rehearsal New Day Center of Leadership 6:55 PM – 7:05 PM Transition New Day Center of Leadership 7:05 PM – 8:00 PM Closing Ceremonies New Day Center of Leadership 8:00 PM – 8:10 PM Restroom Break New Day Center of Leadership 8:10 PM – 8:40 PM Teaching Artist Showcase New Day Center of Leadership

Director's Meeting New Day COL Green Room

Dining Locations BULLDOG CAFE

Autrey Mill Middle School Brookstone School Buford Middle School Georgia Military Prep School Harris County Carver Middle School Haynes Bridge Middle School LaGrange Academy Little Mill Middle School Perimeter Middle School Putnam County Middle School Valdosta Middle School

TOPDOG CAFE

Academy of Classical Education Calvary Day School Deerfield Windsor School Hammond Creek Middle School Haralson County Middle School JS Davidson Fine Arts Magnet School Liberty Middle School Morgan County Middlke School Otwell Middle School Rainey-McCullers School of the Arts St. Martin's Episcopal School The Mount Vernon School Union County Middle School White County Middle School

Workshop Schedule

1

USERY HALL Workshops

NEW DAY CENTER OF LEADERSHIP Closing Showcase | COLLIDE | Conference Show Guest Artist Showcase | Opening Ceremonies | Registration

Conference Map

2 4

ELEMENTARY BUILDING Bulldog Cafe | Elementary Gym

KIDD/CORDEAL BUILDING BACKstage Challenge | BACKstage Playground | Workshops

CAB 3 Improv Challenge | Karaoke | Ticket Exchange | Thespys | Top Dog Cafe | Workshops

5

Workshop Descriptions NO BONES ABOUT IT (Scott-Fortune) In 50 minutes students will create 1-2 minute scenes from skeleton scripts with fun and innovative characters and situations. Come play with props, improvise, and explore with your imagination.

IMPROV: LET'S MESS THIS UP (Hirsch) Experience the power and fun of failure in this fast-paced workshop! Learn the guiding principles of improv through a series of warm-ups and games. Don't worry about thinking fast! Instead, embrace your instincts and celebrate your mistakes in this highly active workshop. Leave with a well-rounded understanding of fundamental improvisational tactics and how to harness the power of failure!

CREATING A CHARACTER (Sargent) Students will each create a character from a list of people and situations. The students will determine where the character has been, where the character is going, and what the character wants, and a physical action to enhance the character. The students will work in pairs or small groups to create a semi-improvised scene to perform for the group.

UM...ERRR...UM...THEATRE GAMES FOR PUBLIC SPEAKING (Kemp) Good public speaking skills can help actors on stage, too! We will explore the basic communication process and then focus the majority of our session practicing techniques to improve our delivery. Be prepared to actively participate in a variety of theatre games throughout our time together!

HISTORICAL EUROPEAN MARTIAL ARTS FOR THE ACTOR (Johnson) This workshop teaches the actor to examine why a character uses specific weapons/armor, why the weapons/armor were chosen in the historical context of the play/work, and then has the actor wield/wear accurate reproductions of arms/armor. This leads to a better understanding/implementation of character movement, physical projection, and textual relationship to enhance the individual performance. Emphasis is placed on Shakespeare’s plays.

DANCE ME IF YOU CAN (Luke) Come explore musical theatre dance with Ms.Luke HADESTOWN: DANCING IN THE DARK (Hines) In this workshop, we will dance to "When the Chips are Down" from Hadestown, but our focus won't only be dance. We will explore how we can tell a very intentional story through dance as a vehicle and what choices we make through movement that can heighten the dark and creepy natural of the show.

DANCE HALL WITH MR. HALL (Hall) You will learn an upbeat and energetic combination from a Broadway-style show. We will discuss ways to improve your technique and explore various methods for learning choreography quickly, so you can excel in your next dance call!

LABAN AND CIRQUE: MAKING MOVES (DeLeo) Learn about Laban’s 8 Efforts of movement and how circus performers use these techniques on the ground!

Whether an experienced or new performer, this interactive workshop will provide an overview of the Laban/Bartenieff efforts, a cirque-warm up, hilarious group exercises, and a Q&A with a cirque instructor/ performer. **Students will not leave the ground in this workshop. No experience necessary. All bodies/ abilities welcome!

PERFORMING WITH MS. PAY (Parker) In this workshop, students will have FUN! We will focus on how to perform with the entire body, especially the face. By exploring body language and performance quality, students will learn how to expand outside their comfort zone with different techniques and exercises. We will build community, empower individuality, and gain self-awareness with confidence through movement.

Workshop Descriptions cont'd NEVER AGAIN! (Walls) Participants will learn a dance choreography to Revolting Children from Matilda. We will focus on character work and energy - the combo will be beginner/intermediate level.

HISTORICAL DANCE AND MOVEMENT FORN THE ACTOR (Nagar) Travel back in time to experience dance from the late 18th and early 19th century. Your dance mistress will lead you through two, beginning level English Country Dances. In addition to learning the dances, you will also have the opportunity to interpret the dances as an upper class aristocrat, as well as a lower/middle class individual of the period.

LEAVE IT ALL ON THE FLOOR (Ford) This workshop is all about dancing your heart out with emotions and storytelling through body movement.

We will work on facials while dancing and leaving it all on the floor. This dance workshop is a mix of Jazz, Contemporary, and Liturgical style dancing. Come have fun, sweet and leave it ALL on the floor.

YOUR VOICE, YOUR POWER: THE VOCAL ARTS WORKSHOP (Wilson) This workshop will allow students to understand how to deconstruct a character, plan out a song, and enhance their overall performance. We will breakdown the fundamentals of singing, breathwork, and acting skills while working on songs from popular genres.

QUIT THE (VOICE) CRACK (Lenten) The dreaded voice crack! This session is all about how to manage the crack, why it happens, and how to train around it. We will also explore the mysteries of the mix! Be ready to sing something that is causing you issues! Have 16 bars with a track prepared. I prefer MP3 to using YouTube links.

STONE SOUP: CREATING THEATRE TOGETHER WITH ART AND MUSIC (Harper) We will combine our individual creativity to weave together an original theatre piece using art, music, and creative movement in 90 minutes. Bring your collaborative spirit and your wildest imagination!

PUPPETRY STUFF BIG OR SMALL, BUILD IT ALL! (Bean) Learn a cardboard building technique that will CHANGE YOUR LIFE! With this super-fun method; you can build puppets, masks, props, or nearly anything with this fast, easy, and budget friendly method.

Production Description BEETLEJUICE, JR.

Music & Lyrics by Eddie Perfect Book by Scott Brown & Anthony King Presented By Warner Robins High School | Troupe 1802 Lydia Deetz is a strange and unusual teenager, still grieving the loss of her mother and obsessed with the whole “being dead thing.” Lucky for Lydia, she and her father move to a new house haunted by a recently deceased couple and Beetlejuice, a delightful demon with a real zest for life. When Lydia calls on Beetlejuice to scare away anyone with a pulse, this double-crossing specter shows his true stripes, unleashing a (Nether)world of pandemonium. (Music Theatre International) (D,L,V)

Teaching Artist Bios CASSANDRA SCOTT-FORTUNE Cassandra is the Theatre Director at Newnan High School in Newnan, Georgia. She attended Columbus State University and graduated with a B.S.Ed and M.Ed in Theatre Education and has been teaching high school theatre since the fall of 2012. Cassandra is the director of Coweta County’s STARKids’ musical theatre camp programs for elementary and middle school students and co-director of STAR Productions’ high school program. She serves on the Georgia Thespian Conference Board coordinating the FreeStyle Festival and the Georgia Theatre Conference board coordinating secondary auditions.

GREGORY HIRSCH Gregory Hirsch is the founder and director of Chaos Theory Improv Team: the house improv team of Lionheart Theatre. In addition to coaching and performing with his improv team, he regularly teaches improvisational workshops at high schools in the Atlanta area and theatre conferences across the country.

JEFF SARGENT Jeff Sargent recently retired from teaching. He had taught theatre arts, general music, and high school chorus during his career. Jeff remains active as a performing actor and musician. He has served as an adjudicator for this conference for the last two years.

TONY KEMP Currently an administrator and adjunct faculty member at Mercer University in Macon, Georgia, Tony continues his theatre involvement through ongoing community theatre roles in the Middle Georgia area, as well as with his work as a committee member with the Georgia High School Musical Theatre Awards. He has previously performed in South Carolina and Ohio, and has also served as a judge for regional and state literary events, past GA Thespian Conferences, and theatre conferences in Alabama and Florida. Favorite roles include “Buddy” in Elf, “Amos Hart” in Chicago, “Emmett Forrest” in Legally Blonde, Beauty and the Beast’s “Cogsworth,” and “Lord Farquaad” in Shrek. To all participating students and troupes: break legs!

K. KEN JOHNSON K. Ken Johnston graduated with degrees in Theatre and English from LaGrange College where he received the Ingrid Bergman Scholarship and the Irene Arnett Drama Award. He is certified in Historic Character Interpretation by the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation. As the Director of History Now, he interprets, among others, the historic characters of Patrick Henry, Thomas Jefferson, Benedict Arnold, the Marquis de la Fayette, George Washington, and Abraham Lincoln. Additionally, he conducts workshops on the use of Historical European Martial Arts in stage combat and in character development and physicality for the actor - with an emphasis on performing the plays of Shakespeare.

CHASITY LUKE Chasity Luke is a passionate high school theatre teacher with five years of experience. With a Master of Education in Theatre Education, She dedicates her career to helping students discover more about themselves and the world around them through the transformative power of theatre.

GABRIELLE HINES Gabrielle Hines is a Coatesville, PA native and graduate of Muhlenberg College with degrees in theatre and music. Gabrielle studied theatre and music at Goldsmiths University in London, England. Past credits include Mary Ellen in SUMMER: The Donna Summer Musical, Charlaine in Ain’t Misbehavin’, Grace in Annie, Danielle in Bring it On: The Musical, Lady in Brown in For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide/When the Rainbow is Enuf, and Yvonne inSunday in the Park with George. Offstage, Gabrielle has choreographed Georgia Ensemble Theatre and Conservatory’s Oliver, Jr., directed and choreographed S.T.E.A.M Team, Frozen, The Glitch, and Aesop's (Oh So Slightly) Updated Fables, Revival Productions’ Ruby: The Ruby Bridges Story, and Limelight Theatre.

Teaching Artist Bios cont'd DEANTE' HALL DeAnte’ Hall is an experienced theatre educator, director, and choreographer who has dedicated five years to teaching middle and high school students at the Academy for Classical Education. Among his career highlights, he had the honor of dancing for Mercedes Ellington, granddaughter of the legendary Duke Ellington. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre with a Minor in Dance, as well as a Master’s in Theatre Education, both from Columbus State University. Passionate about the performing arts, particularly dance, Mr. Hall enjoys sharing his expertise and creative choreography with students of all ages, inspiring them to grow as artists and individuals.

KAREN DELEO Karen integrates over 20+ years of theatre experience including into her work as an aerial instructor, choreographer, and performer. Karen teaches across multiple apparatus, but specializes in lyra (aerial hoop), dance trapeze, aerial hammock (sling) and silks. It's their mission to educate, engage, and excite others while disrupting stereotypes about circus and aerial. She specializes in incorporating physical theatre techniques for character work and acting for movers of all kinds. Recent performances and work include performances for the Georgia Innocence Project, City of Lawrenceville, and Megalopolis (unc. rigging crew/ proof of concept for aerialists). Learn more at www.karenaerial.com.

PYTRON PARKER Pytron Parker is a Georgia native, who has built a life around the performing arts. She has been changing artists' lives for over 17 years through dance education, artist development, and storytelling. Pytron’s enjoys performing onstage, serving as the choreographer on production teams and loves sharing her gifts with others nationally and internationally. Pytron is honored to be welcomed back to teach at the Junior Thespian Conference! PytronParker.com @payparker MAGGIE WALLS Maggie Walls is the Executive Director of Momentum Arts, a non-profit performing arts school in the Atlanta suburbs. Ms. Walls has been teaching dance and theatre for over 35 years, and is an award-winning dancer, choreographer, and director. Momentum Arts has produced more than 70 full-length productions in the past 7 years, and has won dozens of awards at events like the Georgia Theatre Conference, the Junior Theater Festival, and the Southeastern Theatre Conference.

KAT NAGAR Kat is the artistic director of the Atlanta Historic Dance Company. She is a performer, teacher, and choreographer of historical social dance. As well as a dance historian, she is a historical costumer and create some of the costumes worn in performance. In addition to hosting several period balls, she has worked as a dancer and choreographer in the film industry.

RASHAWD FORD Rashawd is the former director of Peachtree Academy and now is the assistant director/ choreographer for Alcovy High School Theatre Department. He has been acting, dancing and singing for many years and loves working with kids, especially within the theatre community. He worked in various production in the state of Georgia and Alabama with Netflix, Snapchat, HBO, BET+, and many more. #AMDA VICTORIA WILSON Praised for her extensive range and strong characterization, Soprano Victoria Wilson has appeared on stage in a variety of roles encompassing the repertoire of opera and theater across the world. Also, Victoria is the owner of Daughter of Music, LLC, a music company in Atlanta, GA specializing in voice, guitar, drums and piano lessons as well as entertainment legal services. She is an alumnus of Georgia State University (M.M., Vocal Performance, 2014) and Tougaloo College (B.A., Vocal Performance, 2012). In addition, Victoria is a highly recommended masterclass clinician and adjudicator for various voice and piano competitions. www. daughterofmusicllc.com

Teaching Artist Bios cont'd LORI VAN LENTEN Lori Van Lenten, creator of FitVoice – Physical Training for the Athletic Singer earned her Bachelors Degree in Choral Music Education from Florida State University and a Master in Vocal Pedagogy for Musical Theatre from Westminster Choir College at Rider University. She is also certified in Somatic Voicework(tm) through the LoVetri Institute. It was through this advanced study, and the extensive work as voice teacher and Musical Theatre Director, with singers of all ages and experience, that led to her research. Lori considers herself to be a “Functional Voice Teacher” meaning she teaches based on the science and function of the voice.

MARCIA FAITH HARPER Marcia Faith Harper started her theatre journey at the Springer Theatre Academy in Columbus GA and received her BFA in Theatre Performance from Columbus State University in 2019. She also earned her International Studies Certificate from CSU with a capstone devised theatre project entitled Invisible Voices.

Her professional performance credits include West Side Story and The Great Gatsby at the Springer Opera House in Columbus GA and a national tour of A Christmas Carol with Nebraska Theatre Caravan, among others. She has taught at the Springer Theatre Academy and the Alliance Theatre, and is a teaching artist, arts advocate and creative based in Atlanta, GA. “Do your job well, treat people with kindness, and empower others to do the same”.

QATE BEAN QateBean (she/they) is an Atlanta-based creator, performer, fabricator, teaching artist, and puppeteer. For 15 years they have taught, designed, built, and performed with puppets live or on film. QateBean is the founder of HumanBean Puppets & Things, and is BEAN! of the best friends puppetry/magic duo Bean&Bear.

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Take CENTER STAGE this summer.

MIDDLE SCHOOL DRAMA CAMPS 11 METRO ATLANTA LOCATIONS Acting, Camera Acting, Improv, Musical Theater, Sketch Comedy

alliancetheatre.org/camps