2010 Festival News & Notes #2-college auditions

One of the best opportunities for our students at the International Thespian Festival is the opportunity to audition with colleges. In theatre, college auditions are often a must, but because of our distance from mainland colleges, our students have few chances to participate. At Festival, at least 40 different universities and colleges will be conducting unified auditions. Juniors in high school can audition in either performance or technical theatre.

A complete, interactive list of the participating colleges is on the ITS site here--just scroll down to the "auditions" list.

In addition to the schools auditioning, there are exhibitors--usually theatre-related businesses, but also some schools who have a booth or table set-up where you can get information and give information.

For your convenience, I'll try organizing the auditioners and exhibitors by state (below). But first some auditioning tips:

1. Have copies of a current resume (headshot-optional) and a business card to hand out. Have these in an accessible, neat place.

2. Look over the information about the colleges BEFORE you get to Festival, so you are informed and make a good impression. This includes knowing basic things like 1) what state the college is in; 2) what majors and degrees it offers; 3) how big it is.

3. Consider what your strongest points are, and what your weaknesses are; figure out how you can "pitch" yourself as a good candidate HONESTLY.

4. You will get information from various colleges. Figure out your organization system ahead of time--will you have a folder where you put all the information you get? Or do you want to have a binder with separate pockets for different schools? or some other method of keeping track?

5. Make a list of questions for each of the schools from whom you get call backs. DON'T ask questions about basic information that is available on their websites--you should already have checked that. DO ask questions about your concerns and interests.

NOW the colleges and universities by state :

CALIFORNIA
AMDA (The American Musical and Dramatic Academy)
University of Southern California (LA)

Exhibitor:
US Performing Arts


COLORADO
University of Northern Colorado


CONNECTICUT
University of Hartford (the Hartt School)

Exhibitors:
Dramatic Publishing
Stage Vet, LLC

University of Hartford (Hartt School)

FLORIDA
Florida International University

Exhibitor:
University of Miami-Dep't. of theatre Arts


GEORGIA
Savannah College of Art and Design


ILLINOIS
Roosevelt University-Chicago College of Performing Arts
Southern Illinois University
DePaul University-the Theatre School


INDIANA
University of Evansville

University of Evansville


IOWA
Cornell College


KENTUCKY
Murray State University


LOUISIANNA
Loyola University


MASSACHUSETTS
Exhibitor:
Emerson College


MINNESOTA
Gustavus Adolphus College
St. Mary's University of Minnesota
University of Minnesota (Guthrie Theatre)


MISSOURI
Drury University
Missouri Valley College
St. Louis University
Webster University
William Woods University


Saint Louis University

MONTANA
Exhibitor:
Next Step Prep-the Academy for Musical Theatre

NEBRASKA
Nebraska Wesleyan University

Exhibitor:
Heartland Scenic Studio


NEW JERSEY
Rowan University


NEW MEXICO
College of Santa Fe


NEW YORK
CAP 21 (Collaborative Arts Project 21)
NY Film Academy
NY Conservatory for Dramatic Arts

Exhibitors:
Field Studies Center of NY
The Offstage Group
Play scripts, Inc.
Samuel French


NORTH CAROLINA
Wake Forest University


OHIO
Ashland University
Ohio Northern University
Otterbein College

Exhibitor:
Costume Holiday House


OKLAHOMA
University of Oklahoma (drama and musical theatre)


PENNSYLVANIA
University of the Arts


SOUTH CAROLINA
Coastal Carolina University


TEXAS
SMU (Southern Methodist University)
Texas Christian University

Exhibitor:
University of Houston


WASHINGTON
Central Washington University


WISCONSIN
University of Wisconsin (Stevens Point)
Marquette University
Viterbo University


WYOMING
University of Wyoming


Note that most of the colleges and universities that are auditioning also have signed up as exhibitors. I didn't double-post their listings for the sake of space.

Thinking about college is really enjoyable. Don't let auditions stress you out, because the college recruiters aren't looking for great performances or perfection--they're looking for potential. Show that. And have fun!

Festival 2010-Intro and Mainstage

It's that time of year again when our students are preparing to compete in national events. Travel to the mainland US is a treat for our students, but they also must work hard, both in preparation and once they get there.

Still, it's exciting. Here's a bit about the International Thespian Festival, held in Lincoln, Nebraska at the University of Nebraska campus.

Early Show
Little Women (the musical) by Arab High School in Arab, Alabama, Troupe #7023


2010 MAIN STAGE attractions!

Urinetown, to be presented by Troupe #5869, Denver (Colorado) School of the Arts, directed by Shawn Hann
Pippin, presented by Troupe #931, Cypress Creek High School in Houston, Texas
A Piece of My Heart, presented by Troupe #899, Tomball High School in Tomball, Texas
Sympathy Jones, presented by Troupe #5029, State College Area High School North in State College, Pennsylvania
Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, presented by Troupe #1649, Central York High School in York, Pennsylvania
How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, to be presented by Troupe #4982, Mary D. Bradford High School in Kenosha, Wisconsin.
You’re A Good Man Charlie Brown will be presented by Troupe #5006, Olathe South High School from Olathe, Kansas.
Fences, to be presented on the Kimball Main Stage by Troupe #2945, Sylvan Hills High School, from Sherwood, Arkansas.
Zoo Story, to be presented on the Kimball Main Stage by Troupe #4590, Randolph High School, from Huntsville, Alabama.
Working, to be presented on the Lied Main Stage by Troupe #6435 ,Tremper High School, from Kenosha, Wisconsin.

Rehearsal Schedule

The rehearsal schedules for NJFL, NFL and ITS (national events) is online: here.

The ITS students are practicing also for the play; PULLMAN CAR HIAWATHA by Thornton Wilder, which they will stage at the ITS Festival.

2010 Mock Trial

Congrats to the participants and winners of the Mock Trial Competition in Saipan 2010.



First place winners: MOUNT CARMEL SCHOOL. Final tally was 6 to 3 in their favor. They will travel to Philadelphia for the national competition in May 2010.

Second place winners: MARIANAS BAPTIST SCHOOL. Hard fought. Good job.

Third place winners: SAIPAN SOUTHERN HIGH SCHOOL. They're already talking about next year!

Fourth place winners: ROTA HIGH SCHOOL. First time in the winners circle and great performance.

Team Professionalism award: MARIANAS HIGH SCHOOL. This award speaks volumes. Congrats.

I don't have all the individual awards (best prosecution attorney, witness, best defense attorney, witness), but what I do know is that MHS student Christian Cruz won for Best Prosecution Witness; MCS student Anastasia Schweiger won for Best Defense Witness. I also heard that the best attorney awards on both sides went to MBA students (but I don't know the names of the winners).

The competition was very good. The students worked very hard and show tremendous talent and promise. Congratulations again to everyone who participated. Thanks for a good show!

Student Designs Take the Stage!

I've posted the student designs side-by-side with the (almost) finished costumes on my personal blog--you can see them here. The photos there and below were taken at dress rehearsal. Since then, we've added the white buckle to Maggie's day-dress, completed the striped add-ons for Max's Otello costume, repaired the evening dresses to fit better, and otherwise adjusted the costumes as needed.

The show is funny and fabulous, and the costumes fit the show perfectly!

There is one more show--tonight (Sunday, 2/14/2010) at 7 PM at Charley's PIC.


Tito (traveling)




Saunders (day)




Maggie (evening)




Diana (day)




Maggie explains her need to fling to Max.




Tito Merelli arrives--with his wife, Maria.


The bellhop apologizes to Mrs. Maria Merelli--in Italian.


Saunders tries to throw the bellhop out.


Max, as Otello, and Saunders express their different views.


Saunders, bellhop, Julia and Maggie beg "Tito" (a/k/a Max) to take the stage.


Julia counsels Maggie on waiting for Tito Merelli after the opera.


Julia is thrilled to be in Il Stupendo's presence.


Julia turns on the charm for Tito Merelli.


Tito takes the bait!



Design students take a break from helping backstage to watch a part of the rehearsal.
Allison Madamba, Rozette Bunao, Rochelle Dimipilis, and Donna Monton.

Lend Me A Tenor --Selected Designs

The following (in no particular order) are designs from the students of MHS, SSHS and KHS that were chosen to be used, in whole or in part, for the costumes for the up-coming production of LEND ME A TENOR by Ken Ludwig.


Tito Merelli by Donna Monton, MHS


Mr. Saunders by Rozette Bunao, MHS


Max and Tito as Otello by Lara Lleva, KHS


Maria Merelli by Donna Monton, MHS


Maggie Saunders by Allison Madamba, SSHS


Maggie Saunders by Rochelle Dimipilis, MHS


Diana by Helen Choi, MHS


Diana by Rozette Bunao, MHS


Bell hop by Haeri Kim, MHS

We are in the process of creating and adapting costumes based on these designs. LEND ME A TENOR goes up on Friday, February 12, 2010 through Sunday, February 14, 2010 at PIC Charley's Cabaret.

Thespian Students Team Up With FOA

Thespian costume design students are teaming up with the Friends of the Arts for the upcoming production of LEND ME A TENOR, a comedy by Ken Ludwig.

Each of seven students hope to have one of their designed costumes in the production. They are excited and working hard.

Some of the students met with the cast and measured them so they could estimate fabric yardage needs and get a sense of the shape and look of each actor and actress.
Rochelle Dimapilis measures Sophia Kakuse, who will play Maggie, a young romantic who wants an adventure.


Donna Monton tries to strangle Rich Hamilton, no, measures his neck; Rich plays the title role of the tenor Tito Merelli.


Rozette Bunao measures Linn Asper, who plays Saunders, the Cleveland Opera general manager.

They have been slowly looking through all of the costume stock of the FOA and Thespian Society to see what is already on hand that can be used. And they have been to some of the stores on island, looking for fabric for their designs.

Thanks to FOA for the opportunity for our costume design students to see their renderings be actualized. The play goes up February 12th-14th at PIC.