Members of the Munster High School Theater program, under the leadership of Auditorium Director Ray Palasz and theatre faculty Peggy Matanic, recently performed competitively at the Indiana Thespians State Conference at Franklin Central High school in Indianapolis this past weekend.
This annual event brings together over 900 middle and high school students from active troupes of the International Thespian Society for a weekend of auditions, workshops, and competitions. This is the third year that Munster High School has attended, and the first year that Wilbur Wright Middle School was also represented. Together it was the largest delegation from Munster, with 31 students participating. The Indiana Thespians is the state-level organization for the Educational Theatre Association, which also sponsors the International Thespian Society.
One of the hallmarks of the conference is the keynote address and workshops provided by a nationally-recognized person in the field of theatre or theatre education. This year's Keynote was Patrick John Moran, who is a professional musical theatre actor. He just finished a tour with the Tony-Award Winning musical, Something Rotten. Students also had the opportunity to learn from playwrights, technicians, and actors to further their training. This then strengthens individual theatre programs throughout the state.
Individual event rankings are as follows:
- Sydney Hamill in Monologues
- Joseph Bellahcen in Solo Musical
- Kelly Collins in Solo Musical
- Joseph Bellahcen and Michaela Marcotte in Duet Acting
- Francis Hovland for Short Film (his film was declared Best of Show)
- Excellent Award Winners include:
- Cali Grzybowski in Monologues
- Ariel Shoriak in Monologues
- Sam Migliore in Monologues
- Maria Ramos in Solo Musical
- Irene Tsakapoulos in Solo Musical
- Maya Radjenovich in Solo Musical
- Diana Ayala and Ariel Velasco in Duet Acting
- Michael McDunn in Short Film
Several students received scholarships at the event. Cali Grzybowski was awarded a $650 Scholarship from the Indiana Thespians. Additionally, Cali Grzybowski, Patricia Castro, and Michaela Marcotte participated in the college audition process, where scholarship offers are made. The three women earned a combined total of over $70,000 in scholarship offers!
Finally, Andrew Wittkamp and Sarah Resch were elected as State Thespian Officers, serving on the state board for the 2019-2020 conference season. For more information, contact Ray Palasz at rapalasz@munster.us.