Lafayette’s International Thespian Society (ITS) troupe #8552, traveled to Owensboro November 3-4 for Kentucky Thespian Festival 2017 (KTF). Hosted by the beautiful, RiverPark Center, KTF was Harry Potter themed  andtitled: “Thespis Potter and the Proscenium Fire”.

Students who attended the festival participated in a number of theater-related activities. Several Lafayette students performed in Individual Events or IEs. Grace Brown, Kiara Butts, Alex Simpson, Victoria Steward, and Lexi Zapata ranked superior in Solo Musical Theatre. Christopher Long, Rachel Morgan, Michael Naish, and Helena Schatski ranked superior in Solo Acting. Kaylee Waltermire and Walker Cody ranked superior in Duo Acting and showcased, meaning they performed at closing ceremonies in front the entire conference. Overall, Lafayette had ten students rank superior in IEs. SCAPA (School for Creative and Performing Arts)/Lafayette’s Alice in Wonderland performed on the last day of the festival and did a fantastic job. Madison Southern High School, Mercy Academy, Apollo High School, Sayre School, Owensboro High School, and Paul Laurence Dunbar High School also performed.

Attendees of the conference also participated in workshops throughout the day, taught by top-notch artists, spanning from improv to directing.

Students participated in team challenges with Thespian students from across the state. These challenges were based on this year’s Harry Potter theme. The teams had to complete videos of team members completing spells and had to create an item to save the theater using only duct tape.

Carolyn Greer, Director of the Kentucky chapter of ITS, stated “Nothing makes me happier than to see hundred of theater students from across our state creating, learning, and sharing with one another! This year’s festival was a true celebration of theater education.”

Overall, it is safe to say that the Kentucky Thespian Festival 2017 was a success for Lafayette.