Thespians Honored at Awards Ceremony and ITS Induction
On May 16, our International Thespian Society hosted its first annual, official theatre awards and induction ceremony. We inducted eighteen new members into the society. The afternoon was filled with celebration as theatre students performed skits representing acting, tech and crew, and recognized graduating senior thespians. The afternoon ended with a special induction ceremony and recitation of the thespian pledge.
The International Thespian Society was established in 1929. In over 90 years since, the society has grown into an international organization with more than 2.2 million members, but its goals haven’t changed; the International Thespian Society still strives to make education and arts programs places for good theatre and to honor those students who do theatre well.
Our awards were bestowed on students who have found the treasurers the stage provides. These students have exemplified the motto of the International Thespian Society taken from the poet, Alexander Pope, which is to “act well your part for there all the honor lies.” The awards presented were both for students who have participated in the YISS theatre program as well as students who have been inducted into the society. Award nominees were voted in by theatre students, and the final award selections were endorsed by the faculty advisors who have volunteered in theatre this year. Students did not have to be inducted into the society in order to receive theatre awards, but many are on their way to induction in order to earn accolades on the international level. Awards bestowed for the 2022 YISS theatre season are as follows:
BEST THESPIAN AWARD
Rhea R. (11)
Anne L. (12)
HONOR THESPIAN AWARD
Anne L. (12)
Spirited Thespy Award
Tiffany K. (10)
Dedication to Drama Award
Luke K. (9)
Thespian of the Year
Isabella R. (12)
GRADUATING SENIOR THESPIANS
5-Star Thespian: Anne L.
2-Star Thespian: Alex B.
2-Star Thespian: Jay C.
Honorary Thespian: Katherine H.
New Inductee: Isabella R.
New Inductee: Josephina R.
NEW INDUCTEES TO THE INTERNATIONAL THESPIAN SOCIETY
Ellie S. (9)
Gianna P. (9)
Isabella S. (9)
Laina J. (9)
Luke Jay K. (9)
SeMee Y. (9)
Yerim C. (9)
Lina K. (10)
Tiffany K. (10)
Ameerah J. (11)
Cristina Fernandez L. (11)
Helen P. (11)
Isabel Da Cruz L. (11)
Julianne K. (11)
Priscilla K. (11)
Varuni R. (11)
Isabella R. (12)
Josephina R. (12)
RISING STAR AWARD (MS STUDENT)
Jayne K. (7) - Little Women (Hannah)
OUTSTANDING LEAD ACTOR
Jay C. (12) - Little Women (Theodore "Laurie" Lawrence)
OUTSTANDING LEAD ACTRESS: Little Women
Anne L. (12) - Little Women (Josephine “Jo” March)
OUTSTANDING LEAD ACTRESS: Trap
Elleanna C. (9) - Trap (Angela Lure)
OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING ACTOR
David C. (10) - Trap (Captain Donovan, Clifton)
OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING ACTRESS: Little Women
Helen P. (11) - Little Women (Aunt March)
OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING ACTRESS: Trap
Tiffany K. (10) - Trap (Rickenoch Baynor, Tamblyn Grey)
OUTSTANDING ENSEMBLE ACTOR/ACTRESS
Michelle K. (9) - Trap (British Broadcaster, Translator)
TECH AND CREW
RISING STAR TECH/STAGE CREW (MS STUDENTS)
Jaelyn K. (7) - Set Design and Construction, Costume (Little Women, Trap)
OUTSTANDING FACULTY ADVISOR
Mr. Mark Ludwig - Lights, Sound, and Video
OUTSTANDING CREW MANAGER: Little Women (there will be 2 awards)
Rhea R. (11) - Light and Sound Manager (Little Women)
Isabella R. (12) - Backstage Crew (Little Women)
OUTSTANDING CREW MANAGER: Trap
Idris A. (11) - Stage Manager (Trap)
OUTSTANDING ROOKIE TECH
Gianna P. (9) - Light Board Design and Operator (Trap)
OUTSTANDING ROOKIE CREW
SeMee Y. (9) - Set Design and Construction (Little Women and Trap)
OUTSTANDING TECH
Ameerah J. (11) - Light Board Design/Operator (Little Women and Trap)
OUTSTANDING CREW
Josephina R. (12) - Backstage Crew and Props Management (Little Women, Trap)
OUTSTANDING VIDEO PRODUCTION
Cristina Fernandez L. (11)
There are many people to thank for our theatre season. First, thank you to the parents of theatre students who volunteer and/or send their children to rehearsals and events each year. The performing arts teachers who make drama education possible at our school. The faculty advisors who have assisted in productions in design, set construction, costumes, lights and sound, and more. The administration leaders who continue to strive for arts representation across divisions. Finally, the teachers, students, and friends who participated in the audience, volunteered at ticket or flower sales, or ushered as house crew. Thank you all for your service