High School students honored at Thespian Festival

Thespian groups from all four high schools in the Dysart Unified School District attended the Arizona State Thespian Festival held at the Phoenix Convention Center on November 15th and 16th.  The event featured numerous productions presented by high schools throughout the state. Students also participated in a variety of workshops led by theater professionals from around the country.  

Dysart High School brought 15 students to the festival who learned valuable skills through workshops and collaborated with other Thespians from around the Valley. The Demons competed in the One Act competition with the production, “Acme Studios,” a comedy involving a radio studio from the 1940’s. Dysart earned three Superior recognitions and were in the top ten of all of the One Act productions. 

Shadow Ridge High School theater students were among 47 schools competing in the Thespian Festival. The Stallions received a Straight Superior recognition and the highest score of the festival.  Additionally, the group was named Chapter Select and are invited to take their One Act, “Anatomy of Gray,” to the International Thespian Festival in Bloomington, Indiana this summer. Along with the Superior One Act, the Stallions were recognized as a Gold Honor Troupe for the third year in a row and ranked as a State Superior rated program. These accolades are based off of school involvement, community engagement and service, and scores received through One Act and Individual Event competitions throughout the year.

Valley Vista students from the Intermediate/Advanced acting class traveled to the Thespian Festival and competed in the One Act competition, attended workshops, and participated in the interview and scholarship portion of the event.  The Monsoon received an Excellent recognition in the One Act competition and were ranked a Silver Honor Troupe for the amount of productions, events, competitions, and activities the students participated in last year. Additionally, Sofia Rios, was able to present her Technical Theater portfolio to potential colleges and universities, and was called back for interviews at several post- secondary schools. 

Willow Canyon thespians presented their One Act entitled, “I Don’t Want to Talk About It,” and received a Superior rating from all three judges.  Additionally, the Wildcats took third place in the state.

Arizona Thespians is a group of teachers, students, and professionals who are dedicated to promoting theater education in our schools and community through teamwork, diversity, gratitude, and accountability. Arizona Thespians are affiliated with the International Thespian Society and the Educational Theater Association. Over the last three and a half decades, Arizona Thespians have provided services to over 70,000 adolescents and thousands of educators.