The drama program recently participated in the annual Kansas Thespians Festival on January 8, 2020. The program took a group of 30 students to Wichita, Kansas for a series of workshops and productions. On Thursday, January 9th, the group performed Pippin for an audience and received a standing ovation. 

“It was an experience to remember,” sophomore Corin Cooper said. “It was such an honor for us to perform for such an amazing audience at a huge festival specifically made for thespians like me. I’d Definitely go again!”

Ten students earned superior ratings in individual acting events at the festival and qualified for internationals. Among those were, junior Franchesca Brownhanney, senior Addy Campbell, sophomore Sophie Casper, sophomore Aunyx Estes, senior McKenna Shaw, and freshman Ella Rhuems in the Musical Theater and Vocal Performance event. 

For the Technical theater event, Ashley Singh received a superior as well for her stage management in Pippin and junior Rebekah Sheward received the same award for makeup design in Pippin. 

In addition, Mckenna Shaw was one of the 12 students chosen to perform their individual events in the Festival Showcase. The program also received a Gold Troupe award and junior Emma Noonoo was selected as one of the five Kansas State Thespian Officers for the 2020-2021 year.