Lights, camera, action!

By: Bailee Farrens, Contributing Writer

Centralia High School (CHS) Drama Club had an exciting opportunity to attend the International Thespian Society’s Leadership Conference in Jefferson City for the first time. ​

The conference is in preparation for the state convention in January. 
  
Dr. Andrew Darr, director of CHS theater department, Mrs. Lacy Erbschloe, co-director and sponsor, as well as two inducted thespians- Olivia Morris and Bailee Farrens, attended the conference on September 14, in hopes for new tools. “The conference introduced the International Thespian Society competitions which will be held in a few short months. It was a day packed with several breakout rooms for students to meet other peers and to practice improvisation. For the sponsors it was beneficial to gain more information on how to register students, and what the competition events will look like,” Erbschloe said. 

This year embarks on new changes for the drama department at CHS, whether it be for the students or even the directors. “We went because it will be the first time Centralia will attend the competition event in just a few months. I wanted to learn what a typical day looks like to help us prepare for the event as well as how to help encourage students to participate in various events,” said Erbschloe. 

In order to attend the January state conference in St. Louis, students must be a part of the Thespian Society. To be inducted, you must have logged 100 hours of practices and performances. Darr and Erbschloe will select 10  students to attend state competition and compete in one category. The competitions vary from monologues and writing a play script, to being picked to perform in a student directed play. 

CHS is very excited to equip the department with tools and opportunities to better help and inspire students. 

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