Springfield Takes the State

Last year, COVID-19 restrictions conflicted with the normal routines, schedule, and events of Springfield’s Thespians’ highly-anticipated annual Pennsylvania State Thespian Conference. Transitioning from quarantine, the conference was consolidated from a three-day event to one day. Despite it returning to an in-person event last year, the regularities of the annual conference were limited. However, Springfield’s Thespians did not let that stop them from having a wonderful and exciting time filled with awards, opportunities, and beautiful memories! 

Hosted by North Penn High School, the conference included Full-length shows, one-act plays, workshops led by nationally renowned EdTA workshop leaders, auditions for senior scholarships, junior college showcases, technical activities, and the EdTA Thespy program.

This year, the annual conference was able to return to its normal routine of a three-day in-person conference with workshops, shows, scholarship awards, and a fun ride to and back. Thespians from all across the state congregated with their troupes, at their schools on Thursday courtesy of the optional virtual component provided by the PA Thespian State Board. On Friday morning, Springfield Thespians boarded the bus to North Penn High School, where the conference commenced around the afternoon. 

Thespians from Springfield met on Thursday night in the auditorium to attend the inaugural ceremony, which featured a speech from the State/International Thespian Officers. The announcement was followed by a Broadway producer who came in to talk about marketing and Broadway shows. Later, awards were given to three of our very own Springfield Thespians: Gabby Greene for her performance, Suzanne Seltzer for her use of technology, and Nick Solomon for his excellence. 

Friday was filled with workshops and awards. Springfield later performed “Us and Them” in the opening show, which won the Chapter Select and will be going international. Way to go Springfield! And congratulations to Gabby G., who was awarded a $1,000 scholarship and award for All-Star Cast members! After performing in the opening ceremony and distributing awards, students split into workshops for the rest of that Friday. 

To end the conference the following Saturday, Springfield Thespians went back to North Penn to watch more one-act shows such as “Girls in the Boat” and “Rent” performed by HS, Troupe 4698 and Central Bucks West HS, Troupe 2115, respectively.