Searcy (LP) Drama Thespian Festival is an event every theater student looks forward to. Victoria Cook, Senior at Searcy High said “Thespian festival was exactly what I expected. A place where all kinds of people go and learn more of what they are passionate about. Students all over Arkansas gathered at AState University February 9, 2017. ” The whole event started with a dance celebration with 2 representatives from each school and STO’s. February 10 and 11 were at Jonesboro High School. The auditorium was filled people standing across the walls and sitting on the floor there were so many more students than last year. Every morning there was “a minute to give it” the Arkansas Thespians raised over 100,000 dollars.

Michele Moss a great lady that has donated time and money to Arkansas Thespians has been put into the Arkansas Thespian Hall of Fame. Searcy’s Honor Thespian was Victoria Cook she has worked hard for troupe 340 and showed her confidence on and off stage. “Thespian festival made me more comfortable with myself as an actress, You always learn something new and meet so many incredible people.” Griffin Birdsong, Senior at Searcy High School applied with colleges for scholarships using his magnificent lighting techniques that everyone who has watched any Searcy High production knows “I want to go and work for Disney one day as a lighting designer.”

Students worked hard learning different techniques and new production habits for shows and future jobs. Teachers such as the one in this picture worked hard to show cheaper more efficient ways to get things done and make the items look nice. The classes also included Plays, Speeches, and Dances. Victoria went to special effects, makeup techniques, and auditioned for dance that Disney characters performed in the parade “My favorite part about Thespian festival was all the workshops I got to go to and loved going to the dance workshops.”

Students performed in competitions such as Short Film, Design in lighting, sound, clothes,  scenic, Solo Acting, Solo Musical, Duet Acting, Duet Musical, Group Acting, Group Musical, and so much more. Individual events had to have 3 judges and a timekeeper. At the end of the festival the best acts performed and were awarded their medals. Searcy unfortunately did not have any participants, but Searcy students still had fun.