Thespian Festival: The Foundation of our Connection
Lauren Kostoff
April 30, 2009
Filed under Fine Arts Feature, Top Stories
Throughout high school, countless connections are made. Connections that fizzle, some that stay strong, others that are firmly rooted, a few that are composed of fun and set to the soundtrack of laughter—but other connections are something much more raw and personal.
This kind of deep, soulful connection is rarely achieved, but is ultimately and indescribably meaningful. And one of the most effective ways to capture this magnetic connection is through the performing arts. While acting and singing alongside your peers under the guidance of your directors, something vibrantly unique takes place.
In the midst of pouring yourself out onto the stage for the sake of portraying a character, a sharp connection is made between student and student, and student and director. It is a connection that runs so incredibly deep, and is deepened with each stride, trial, performance, applaud, and even critique. The height, and for seniors the unavoidable end, of this connection occurs amongst a whirlwind of five days at the Florida State Thespian Festival.
The Florida State Thespian Festival is arguably the pinnacle of theater for students involved in drama. These five days in Tampa are spent amongst 7,000 other “Thespians” from around the state of Florida, all displaying their talents for judges in individual events, and for some, on a mainstage platform.
Students who attend compete, watch other students’ performances, and attend workshops to further any array of theatrical skill. In order to compete, students had to obtain a high score of Superior at the district level in order to move on to this state festival. This year at States, which took place April 22-26, CCA students Jessica Thomas and Erica Toderic both won superiors for solo musical, Ben Sturman, David Greenberg, Robert diScipio, and Jordan Glindonbrong were also awarded with
Superiors for their pantomime. Shannon Anderson received a Good for her solo musical, and Savannah Davis and Lauren Kostoff were awarded a Good for their duet acting scene.
However, besides the titles, ribbons, shows, workshops, and all of the other seemingly surface-level elements of this trip, what may not be as readily recognized are the true, and honest connections made throughout our troupe.
These connections can be detected in smiles, encouragements, and tons of “spirit fingers” seen shared amongst these students. But also detectable is our directors’ connection with each one of us—it can be traced through knowing smiles, laid-back laughter, affirming pats on our shoulders, and even critiques. Mr. and Mrs. Flay’s confidence in each of their students pushes us all to believe in ourselves; their understanding has been and will continue to be a comfort for so many.
During one night the troupe shared together, Mr. Flay told the students, “I’m here to teach you about life…Theater is just the icing on the cake.” And as any senior, past or present, can attest, that is precisely what is forever etched on our hearts and permanently posted in our minds—it is the foundation of our connection.
It is no secret that the students who attend this festival certainly don’t all come from Christian schools, and that most of them don’t have any sort of relationship with God. But our connections truly are such an incredible, walking testimony our troupe displays—our connections with each other are a direct translation of our connections with God.