It has been an incredible year for Ridgefield High School Thespians Troupe 8635. They won multiple awards for student excellence in theatre last weekend at state competition in Bellingham, Washington, and several students also qualified to compete at the International Thespian Festival in Bloomington, Indiana in June.
This year’s state competition marks the most impressive performance to date for the RHS Thespians. The group earned Gold Honor Troupe, state level honors for 17 students, and international competition qualification for six students. Members of Troupe 8635 are no strangers to competition; they have been regular winners at state for the last four years, and this was not their first time winning a place at the international festival. But to have a small town theatre troupe win across multiple categories is an honor and a testament to the hard work these students put in every day.
Teacher Kaitlyn Etter is very proud of her students’ dedication. “Our students put a lot of effort into preparing for this experience,” she said, “and they get a lot out of it as well, not only the deserved recognition, but also in terms of expanded horizons and experience in collaborating and communicating that will serve them well whatever they choose to do after high school.”
The International Thespian Festival competition recognizes the highest level of achievement in school theatre performance, technical theatre, writing, and filmmaking. Their “Thespy” awards are a program of the Educational Theatre Association, which proudly proclaims, “Broadway has the Tonys, Hollywood has the Oscars, Thespians have the Thespys!”
The students who qualified for the International Thespian Festival competition are Caleb Ceravolo, who won gold in Monologue at state, and Kaya Felton, Kennadi Jones, BriAnna Robbins, Ella Ross, and Caige Sothern, who won gold in Solo Musical Theatre at state.
Winners for performances at state level included Alissa Avery, Victoria Bosch, Megan Hopper, Ilianna Ikonomou, Elle Lutz, and Summer Sedgley, who won silver in Solo Musical Theatre; Megan Hopper and Summer Sedgley, who won silver in Musical Theatre Duet; and Sunnye Bowerman, Elle Lutz, Summer Sedgley, Robin Turner, and Madelyn Winter, who won silver in Monologue.
Winners in the technical category at state level included BriAnna Robbins, who won silver in Playwriting and silver in Short Film; Emily Trost, who won silver in Lighting Design; Caige Sothern, who won silver in Scenic Design; and Payton Grimm, who won silver in Stage Management.
For the Gold Level Honor Troupe, Ella Ross and Caige Sothern prepared and presented. The Gold Level Honor Troupe recognizes continued high standards of excellence in production, participation, community service, and outreach.
In addition, BriAnna Robbins won the Petra Karr Scholarship for Student Leadership. The $1,000 scholarship is awarded by the Educational Theatre Association and the Washington State Thespians.
Congratulations to all of the winners from Ridgefield High School Thespians Troupe 8635!