We conquered States, now propel us to Internationals! Help the Palmyra High School Musical keep reaching for the stars all the way to Bloomington, Indiana. Following our outrageously successful appearance at the PA State Thespian Conference, PHS continues its run to Internationals. But, we can't do it without your support.
The PHS Musical Program needs you help to continue their successful journey from the State Thespian Conference in January of 2020 to the International Thespian Festival, June 22-27, 2020 at the University of Indiana in Bloomington, Indiana.
The International Thespian Festival, produced by the Educational Theatre Association brings more than 5,000 high school drama students and their teachers together for a week of workshops, networking opportunities, and inspiration. ITF attendees have the chance to interact with colleges, Broadway professionals, and industry leaders as they work toward honing their craft.
THE INTERNATIONAL THESPIAN FESTIVAL:
Produced by the Educational Theatre Association, the International Thespian Festival is the nation’s premier event created especially for high-achieving theatre students and their teachers. The preferred summer theatre experience for more than 50 years, ITF is where you see, think, and do theatre nonstop for a week. Students learn new skills, make new connections, and are inspired with new knowledge about theatre.
Students will:
experience performances of all types on the stage and as audience members. This includes active read-throughs and improv, student works and Shakespeare, one-acts and full-scale mainstage productions.
audition for scholarships and/or college admission; sign up for the student leadership program; be part of the Next Generation Works program that takes original student-written works from the page to stage.
meet and work with thousands of Thespians and dozens of theatre educators; make lifelong friendships that connect them with people from across the country and world.
Grow their knowledge about all aspects of theatre — onstage, backstage, and front-of-house. Attend workshops on acting, dialogue, directing, lighting, set design, props, writing, and more.
STATE COMPETITION
Palmyra Area High’s School’s International Thespian Society Troupe #8430 applied and was honored to be one of only six mainstage theatre productions accepted for state-level presentation during the 2020 PA State Thespian Conference. Twenty-three cast, eleven crew, and five pit orchestra members performed Amélie: High School Edition as one of only two productions selected to present at The Strand Theatre/Appell Performing Arts Center in York. The production was performed for an audience of more than 1200 and was adjudicated by both state and national judges. The performance received "superior" and "accomplished" rankings and reviewer remarks were at the highest level. All participating students are eligible to attend the International Thespian Festival with hopeful performance of Amélie: High School Edition at the International Festival.
In addition to group competition, Madison Boltz, Briana Gingrich, Jake Nguyen, Chancellor Reisigner, and Ryan Taylor represented Palmyra Area High School in individual competition events. All five received high marks and strong reviews. Briana Gingrich received all superior ratings, qualifying her for performance and adjudication at the International Thespian Excellence Awards—INTERNATIONAL Thespys™. She will perform and receive constructive feedback on prepared theatrical material. In addition, she will be honored on the mainstage at the International Thespian Festival Showcase.
Starting in the late spring and following through the summer of 2019, the PHS Musical Program partnered with the creators of the 2017 Broadway musical Amélie and Samuel French, Inc., a Concord Theatricals Company, on a special pilot production. The musical was adapted for high school performers, and Palmyra presented the show in September of 2019. The pilot process has allowed Samuel French to fine-tune the script, music, and materials.
Throughout the process, students have provided input on content changes, key alterations, and orchestration needs. This type of access to the creative process is a rare experience and has been an integral part of their theatre education.
In addition to the mid-September performances, the school performed Amélie: High School Edition as part of two additional events. The students performed the show with the assistance of a sign-language interpreter for Palmyra's Great Give, a community day of giving. The theatre company also performed Amélie: High School Edition as the opening production of the Pennsylvania State Thespian Conference in January of 2020.
During the Spring of 2020, students will be working to refine Amélie: High School Edition with additional and revised content based on feedback provided by the Palmyra cast, staff, and community. This content includes three new songs, additional narration, and structural changes.
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