On a brisk Thursday, December 5, Thespians from all-over the state of Colorado, gathered for the 49th Colorado State Thespian Conference, staying in different hotels all over the downtown Denver, gathering for classes, Individual Events (IE’s), and mainstage performances, at the Convention Center.
Legend’s Thespian troupe 7501 started their adventure at the Cheesecake Factory for their troupe dinner. Then went to the Bellco Theatre for Opening Ceremonies and the first mainstage show. All of the thespians were introduced to this year’s state Thespian officers, and then ended the night by watching Valor Christian’s production of “Charley’s Aunt,” directed by Kurt Muenstermann.
As the next day began the Thespians prepared for an interesting day of classes, IE’s, Senior Auditions, and One Act Presentations. With five sessions with all different classes, events, and acts to go to.
Throughout the day, most of the Thespians also had IE’s to perform during different sessions. There were Musical Theatre, Solo Acting, Duet/Scene Acting, and Technical Theatre Events. Judges then scored the performances and gave them their notes.
“I was personally surprised by the high rating we got. I was bracing myself for intensely professional judges docking our score and looking at our goofy skit as one would a Broadway show,” junior Tommy Milo said.
“This was my second ThesCon, and it was super fun. The Individual Event I did with my friends got a superior. And all of the workshops were interesting and fun. It was such a great experience,” junior Will Engel said.
Also, throughout the day, many of seniors went to Senior Auditions, performing monologues and songs. The seniors auditioned for scholarships and callbacks to all different theatre based schools.
“Thespian Conference’s Senior Auditions provide a great opportunity to expose yourself to college theatre programs. The audition can help open doors that may have otherwise been closed before. I am very glad that I took advantage of the Senior Auditions,” senior Natasha Williams said.
“It was a good experience and it created an interest in colleges for me that I haven’t even heard of that I am now considering,” senior Lauren Trujillo said.
That evening after a full day of classes and performances, the thespians made their way back to the Bellco Theatre for the second performance, Eaglecrest’s production of Mary Shelley’s “Frankenstein,” directed by Neil Truglio. Following the show the dance began down in the Four Seasons Ballroom.
Starting the final day of ThesCon, seniors had callbacks, there were a few more classes, and Improve Frenzy workshops began. After the lunch break, the conference was coming to an end, as everyone gathered for the Closing Ceremony at the Bellco Theatre. The ceremony started with a video from all of ThesCon and then the Critic’s Choice Showcase began. Thespians watched the Musical Theatre, Solo, Duet, and Scene Acting. When they announced senior, Kylie Ohl for the Critics Choice Award for Scenic Design, Legend’s section went wild.
“It is such an amazing experience to meet people who share the same love for creating art that you do. Everything at ThesCon is planned out perfectly for everyone to have an enjoyable experience, and I definitely did,” junior Mary Mac Carlin said.
Legend’s Troupe 7501 ended the 49th Colorado State Thespian Conference on a high with 11 students receiving an overall score of superior in their individual events and qualifying for The National Thespian Conference.
“This year’s ThesCon was one of the best I’ve been to. The shows were outstanding. I don’t think anyone will soon forget the social effects executed in ‘Frankenstein.’ I was so proud of all the competitive entries. Legend Theater had a record number of students qualifying for nationals,” theater teacher Doc Brown said.
Superior Rating/National Qualifiers
-Kylie Ohl for Scenic Design
-Kylie Ohl for Costume Design
-Maranda Larson for Lighting Design
-Taylor Diltz for Scenic Design
-Hunter Johnston for Marketing Design
-Collin Erdmann for Sound Design
-Natasha Williams and Clarity Engel for Duet Acting Scene
–William Engel, Tommy Milo, Emma Jones, and Josh Outzen for Duet Acting Scene