Four members of the Drama department were recognized at the Missouri State Thespian Conference.
Seniors Katie Richards and Nick Bible each received a $1,000 technical theater scholarship. The duo competed individually among eight others for three scholarships. According to Richards, all ten competitors set up tables featuring their theatrical work.
Richards, a National Honors Thespian and Assistant Production Manager, Stage Manager for the All State Show, Violet, displayed a portfolio with pages of blocking and scene breakdowns, a list of props and pictures from past shows along with her general achievements while Bible exhibited pictures of lights and sets from past shows and a time lapse from the All State Show Violet.
“It’s a great honor because there were so many people competing as stage managers, more than all the other technical areas,” Richards said. “To be chosen out of so many people feels like my hard work these past four years is really paying off.”
Bible is a National Honors Thespian, Technical Director and Assistant Scenic Designer for Violet. Richards said that she enjoys working alongside Bible and that having someone from the same theater department was beneficial.
“We’ve had each other to learn from and compete with to get this far,” Richards said. “Knowing someone else who enjoys theater as much as I do and has the same drive as me and getting to work with them for four years is really cool.”
After the contest, few participants were called back to interview with theater representatives from various colleges. In the meeting, the representatives advertise their school to the students.
Richards joked saying that she won with 13 call backs. Bible had 11.
Junior, Bianca Mckenna, the theater department historian, received the $1,000 Community Outreach Grant to use for the troupe’s performances at local Children’s Hospitals.
Senior Tim Whyman was recognized for his original short film, Night Light in the individual competition. All of the music used in the film was developed by Whyman.