Theatre students from Great Bend High School recently attended the prestigious Kansas Thespian Conference in Wichita, Jan. 5-7. This annual event brought together aspiring thespians from across the state, providing them with a unique opportunity to showcase their skills, learn from industry professionals, and compete in various categories.
To earn the distinguished title of Thespian, students had to accumulate 100 hours or earn 10 points of theatre experience. Great Bend High School proudly took eight troop members to represent their program.
The conference schedule included enriching activities designed to inspire and educate the next generation of theatre professionals.
Attendees watched three performances from schools across Kansas, carefully selected by judges from the Kansas Thespian Committee.
One of the highlights of the conference was the opportunity for students to participate in auditions for scholarships, visit college booths, attend additional shows, or take classes led by industry professionals. These classes provided valuable insights into the world of theatre and offered a glimpse into the various career paths available to aspiring performers. The evenings were filled with excitement as students from across Kansas engaged in friendly competitions. Great Bend High School Thespian students showcased their exceptional teamwork and creativity, earning a 2nd place trophy for creative costuming.
The creative costuming competition involved teams working collaboratively to create a costume from a bag of unknown items, showcasing their ingenuity and adaptability. The GBHS team members were Sheridan Johnson, Ellie Damm, Emery Meza, and Anna Bitter.
Holly Johnson, GBHS Theatre Teacher, expressed pride in the achievements of her students.
"We are incredibly proud of our theatre students for representing our school with such dedication and creativity,” she said. “The Kansas Thespian Conference was a valuable experience that not only enhanced their skills but also opened doors to future opportunities in the theatre industry."
There are several exciting events on the horizon for the GBHS Theatre Department. “The Play that Goes Wrong” is their next production, scheduled for February 16-18. In March, the Advanced Theatre students will take their first department trip to Branson, MO where students will gain industry and career insight into performing arts, arts management, set design, audio-visual production, as well as perform at Silver Dollar City.
Students are currently fundraising and invite the community to dine at Pizza Hut on Thursday January 18 with a portion of the proceeds benefiting the theatre trip. For more information, contact Holly Johnson, GBHS Theatre Department at 620-7931521.
