From the nineteenth to the twenty-first of January, students from Griffith Jr./Sr. High School left for Indiana Wesleyan University to participate in the Indiana Thespian State Conference. Under the supervision of teacher Mrs. Parker, they performed and attended workshops to enhance their acting. Students earned medals and received tips on how to improve. When asked about the conference, freshman Mya Munsie said, “I enjoyed being with friends and exploring the college campus we were on.” The conference is held every year by Indiana Thespians.
Before attending the event, the Griffith Theater Company competed in regionals for the first time in mid-December. At regionals, schools either performed a one-act play or a section of their fall play. Griffith decided to do a comedy one-act called Don’t Fear the Reaper. “A lot of shows at regionals are dramas, so to bring a comedy show was a wildcard move,” Mrs. Parker said. Griffith didn’t place in the top two needed to make it to state, but they still attended anyway since Mrs. Parker normally takes students to the state conference.
The Indiana Thespian State Conference is a learning opportunity and competition based around theater. Students perform shows, duets, or crew competitions. Other than performing, people can also watch. It’s free to spectate, and you might find a connection to theater in the process. However, this event isn’t perfect by any means. Junior Paige Hale said, “I didn’t like how disorganized it was in certain places,” though Hale said she loved all the people she met.
Students interested in performing, or theater in general, should attend the conference. It is a learning opportunity and something to get people into theater. During an interview, Mya Munsie said, “I plan on going next year.” The experience makes people want to come back over and over again, with its atmosphere and experiences. Due to its enjoyable nature, Paige Hale said, “I’d go a million times over. I’d go every year for the rest of my life. I love that place.”
So, if you’re thinking about joining theater or are intrigued by the performance arts, you should join the Griffith Theater Company and have a chance to visit the Indiana Thespian State Conference.
