By Alicia Brooks Waltman
Hopewell Valley Central High School students attended the International Thespian Festival at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln for the first time this summer, turning in excellent performances as they auditioned in front of dozens of college drama professors and admissions officers.
In June, four HoVal students traveled to the festival, which is an annual event for theater students presented by the Educational Theater Association (EDTA). The EDTA is a professional group of theater arts teachers, instructors, professionals and parents from around the world.
During the festival, which ran June 23—29, the students got a total of 75 call-backs when they auditioned in front of college drama faculty from across the country. Besides the auditions, they saw 10 high school productions, ranging from traditional works of theatre like Antigone to contemporary Broadway shows such as In the Heights, and had their choice of more than 100 workshops on everything from directing to make-up to tap dancing.
The students who attended, all rising seniors, are part of Hopewell Valley Thespian Troupe 7964, a chapter of the International Thespian Society. Timberlane Middle School theater arts teacher Katie Rochon, and CHS theater arts teacher John Zisa, oversee the student-run group, which was started at the high school this past school year. Ms. Rochon accompanied the students to Nebraska.
The Hopewell students — Gillian Rice, Jacqueline Silva, Katie Weinstein and Davis Warren — got 75 call-backs. Gillian Rice was called back by the Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, one of the most competitive musical theater programs in the country, said Ms. Rochon. In some cases, students were offered admission to college programs on the spot.
Three of the four student actors qualified to compete at Nationals through their competition events at the New Jersey State Thespian Festival, which was held at Kean University in March. Gillian Rice and Katie Weinstein competed in individual events in Nebraska and received high marks for their efforts.
“The kids did extremely well in their college auditions, and represented Hopewell Valley fabulously,” Ms. Rochon said. “John and I started the troupe as a way to broaden the kids’ horizons. When you act at school, you are kind of an island, doing productions with the same group of people. This event introduces you to a much larger world of theater and student actors.”
Rochon said the troupe was chartered with 10 students, a group that included student leaders among the performers and production crews. This coming school year, the troupe will number more than 30. Students gain admission by amassing points for a wide range of activities, including acting in school productions, participating in the technical crew of the show, and attending Thespian-related events throughout the school year.
Rochon said the experience was an enriching one for her and the students.
“I am so proud of them, and we are really looking forward to going to Nebraska again next year,” she said. “It was a fantastic experience.”
