Drama Club Students Attend State Thespian Conference
From March 21-23, 10 members of Central Catholic’s Drama Club traveled to Westerville Central High School to attend the State Thespian Conference. Over a thousand high school students attend the conference each year to learn from guest artists in the areas of technical theatre and acting, to watch performances from some of the best theatre troupes in the state, and to meet new friends from other schools.
Mrs. Angela Mills, CCHS drama teacher and the Drama Club moderator, takes her students to the conference every year for 2 major reasons. “First, I think it's inspiring for our students to see what other high school students are up to,” she explained. “There are some incredibly talented students at the Thespian Conference, and there is so much inspiration that comes from watching their performances. The exposure to great art performed by people their own age allows them to dream bigger and bring their enthusiasm back to Central Catholic. Secondly, the workshops are taught by other educators, and I believe there is a lot of value in being directed by different people and hearing different perspectives.”
Nearly 100 different workshops are offered at the conference, and often 5 or 6 are running simultaneously, giving students free reign on what they choose to attend. “Having agency over their own learning is empowering for them, and I'm always so pleased with how our students put themselves out there to try something new,” said Mrs. Mills.
This year, 3 CCHS students were selected to participate in masterclasses presented by Tony Award-winning actor, Wilson Jermaine Heredia. Sophomore Madeleine Robinson was 1 of 12 students selected for 1-on-1 coaching. She prepared a 1-minute monologue from the play Airness and worked with the guest artist to develop it further. Sophomore Marnyc Glover and senior Mykailah Welborn were selected to participate in a large-group masterclass on voice and movement, followed by a 1-hour Q & A session with Mr. Heredia.
This is Madeleine’s 2nd year in the Drama Club, and she performed in the CCHS fall plays Leaving Iowa and A Wrinkle In Time. “I wanted to be in Drama Club because I love being in theater, and I wanted to extend that to participating in the high school Drama Club,” she said. “Thanks to Mrs. Mills, I was able to perform and workshop a monologue in front of Wilson Jermaine Heredia, who played Angel in Rent. It was a wonderful experience and a chance to be coached by a professional actor. I was also able to see other thespians perform in shows that were put on for the event. I think it is so inspiring to see others perform, and I am so grateful to have that opportunity.”
Mykailah has been a member of the Drama Club for 2 years, and she worked on the stage crew for Leaving Iowa and was the artistic lead and in the ensemble for A Wrinkle In Time. “Acting has been a huge part of my life since I was in grade school, and I knew I wanted to act and sing as my career goal,” she said. “The State Thespian Conference is something all theatre kids should experience. There are so many kids there who have the same passion for theatre and nobody is afraid to be themselves, and that encourages others to get out of their comfort zone and engage as well! I had the opportunity to talk with Wilson Jermaine Heredia in an invitation-only movement class, and we learned all about his journey to where he is now and the obstacles he overcame. The STC has shaped my love of theatre, and each year has been better than the last!”
Emalicia Espinoza is a senior who has attended the Thespian Conference for the past 3 years. She has been a Drama Club member for 3 years and performed in the fall plays The Clearing, Leaving Iowa, and A Wrinkle In Time. She also participated in several 1-act plays at Central Catholic’s Festival of Lively Arts and at last year’s Thespian Conference.
“I always had a love for theatre, but neither of my elementary or middle schools offered it,” Emalicia said. “When I came to Central Catholic, I was so excited to take Drama 1, and when I heard we would have a Drama Club I was ecstatic. Theatre has not only helped me meet and learn about the people around me, allowing me to build lasting friendships, but it has also allowed me to learn about myself in ways I never had before. Being surrounded by people who are unapologetically themselves in a supportive environment really changes how you view yourself. Without theatre, I don’t know where I would be today. I am minoring in theatre next year in college because I just can’t see myself letting it go.
“The Thespian Conference is an amazing opportunity to learn things and meet people you never would have otherwise. On Friday, we saw the all-Ohio performance of John Proctor Is The Villain and it was meaningful, emotional, and impactful. Saturday, I took a number of workshops like sewing, three dance classes, and a villain monologue workshop. We ended the day watching other thespians perform monologues, scenes, and dances. I wish I could have stayed longer, and I wish I could go next year, but I recommend it for anyone interested in theatre.”
“I attended the classes as an audience member and was able to watch students being directed by a professional, which was a valuable learning experience for me,” said Mrs. Mills. “My hope is that my students will feel like they put themselves out there to try something new and that they will be inspired to accomplish all they're capable of at Central Catholic. Our students have so much to give - so much talent, and more importantly, dedication to honing their skills. By attending the State Thespian Conference, they get to watch performances and learn from adults and other students.”
The other Central Catholic students who attended the conference were sophomore Kennedy Coker, junior Gabrielle Parker, sophomore Samantha Reagan, junior Eoghan Robinson, sophomore Aleeah Smith, and freshman Anayah Young.
