Whiz Kid: Parkway Central Thespian Headed for the Big Time

The preparation process is long and demanding. The competition is tough. But, the rewards are grand for two Chesterfield high school students. Maddie Frank and Julia Levine, who just graduated from , have been chosen to participate in the annual International Thespian  Festival in Nebraska.

The festival is a weeklong event that includes four different high school performances, learning opportunities for theatre students and educators as well as a playwriting program. There are even auditions for students to earn thespian scholarships. 

Students must audition to become part of the all-state cast. Even makeup artists and technical crew audition. Directors apply by submitting a proposal for a play they wish to bring to the state conference. Actors, crew and productions are judged at the state level and can be selected to the International Festival, which is put on by the Educational Theater Association.

Nearly 200 students from across Missouri auditioned for a chance to be in the production. Thirty students were chosen for the cast, and 12 were chosen for the technical and design team.

Shayne Daniel, a veteran theatre teacher from Lee's Summit North High School, has been chosen as director and will bring his dream production, a musical version of Jekyll and Hyde, to the festival. Lee's Summit is a Kansas City, MO suburb.

“It’s quite an honor to be selected, and we are pretty excited,” Daniel said. He has taught and produced theatre for more than 16 years. 

“This will be my first experience as part of an all-state production. This cast and crew are the best of the best from across the state. In addition to their talent, the students are articulate and personable,” he said. “It’s an exciting opportunity.”

Preparing for the festival is no simple task. Cast and crew selections were made in March 2010. Students participated in a 14-day rehearsal camp in July. Since the fall, students from across the state met once a month to rehearse. In January, the group performed at a state conference, where they were selected to go to the International Thespian Festival.

“There will be 47 student participants representing 30-plus schools across the state,” Daniel said. “It’s a very eclectic group, and they have become an extended family during this process. Theatre is a great opportunity for students to explore the aspects of their artistic side.” 

“It’s been tough,” Frank said. “But the work will be worth it. The highlight of the festival will be the main performance of Jekyll and Hyde. The performance will show how much we all have worked, and we’ll be performing for more than just our family and friends.” 

Frank has worked in theatre since eighth grade and has been involved stage productions throughout her time at Parkway Central. She plans to attend the University of Missouri, but she won't study theater. 

 “All the productions were fun to work on and to be part of the group,” she said.  “But I’m ready for college, where I’ll begin studying elementary education.”

The International Thespian Festival will take place from June 20-25 in Lincoln, NE.