Fort Scott High School Thespians Win National Theatre Grant

During the recent Unified School District 234 Board of Education meeting Monday evening, Fort Scott High School theatre students gave a presentation of recent accomplishments and community services, informing the board they recently received a grant as well.

Thespian President Hunter Parker said the students in the theatre troupe learn skills such as organization, leadership, public speaking and others, as well as giving him experience and helping him build references that led to him being awarded a college scholarship.

“I couldn’t see myself as the person I am today without theatre,” thespian troupe treasurer Hunter Adamson agreed, saying the opportunities provided have greatly helped and inspired her. “This is not just a dream, but this is my passion.”

The two theatre troupe students encouraged the school board to continue to support the troupe.

Board members praised the students for the number of awards they have received as well as the activities they have hosted or participated in throughout the community.

“We’re really impressed by the awards and community service,” board president Jordan Witt said. “It’s great to see and be reminded how talented our students are.”

See the press release below for information about the grant the students recently received.

Submitted by Angie Bin

Fort Scott High School Thespian troupe #7365 was selected by the national Educational Theatre Association (EdTA) review committee as a 2017 Send a Troupe to Festival Grant winner.

The grant provides funding for registration and travel expenses for all FSHS official Thespian members and two chaperones to the 2017 International Thespian Festival at the University of Nebraska Lincoln, June 19-24. Regular registration is $740 per student which includes rooming in university residence halls; three meals a day; and admittance to all the shows, workshops and late night activities.

FSHS qualified for the grant by completing an in-depth application and providing an administrative recommendation letter from Bob Beckham, USD 234 Superintendent. Fort Scott also qualified because the troupe has never attended International Festival before.

FSHS Thespian president Hunter Parker said, “It was the first time we applied and, out of over thirty schools in the country who applied, we were one of the two to receive it.  It’s a huge opportunity for our troupe and it’s great that I get to go my senior year.”

“The story of your troupe’s diversity, need, and involvement was inspirational, and I look forward to sharing the indescribable experiences of the 2017 International Thespian Festival with you,” said Samantha Simendinger, EdTA Assistant Manager of Support Services. “The Educational Theatre Association is very lucky to have caring theatre educators … influencing and inspiring young minds throughout the country and the world.”

According to EdTA, every summer, thousands of middle school and high school Thespians bring their love of all things theatre to the International Thespian Festival, a celebration of student achievement in the performing arts. Organized by the Educational Theatre Association and hosted at the University of Nebraska in Lincoln, Festival is a one-of-a-kind, weeklong immersion experience in singing, dancing, acting, designing, directing, creating, writing and memory-making. Festival features workshops presented by theatre professionals, individual and group performances, programs for technical theatre students and opportunities to audition for college admission and scholarships.

 

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