LANSDALE – North Penn High School Theatre and Thespian Troupe #5464 are hosting the annual Pennsylvania State Thespian Conference from Thursday, December 1st to Saturday, December 3rd. More than 30 high school Thespian troupes from across the state of Pennsylvania will attend the conference along with college and university representatives from theatre programs in the surrounding four-state area. In addition, professional workshop exhibitors will be in attendance, as well as family and friends of schools presenting main stage productions. Altogether, nearly one thousand people will attend this conference at North Penn High School as delegates or visitors.
NPHS Thespian Troupe director Andrea Lee Roney, her troupe of 73 high school thespians and three ninth grade students from Pennbrook and Pennfield middle school Thespian troupes have been preparing for the Conference all fall. “The North Penn Thespian Troupe has attended the state conference for the past fifteen years, since our troupe was formed,” explains Roney. “We were thrilled last year when the North Penn School District Administration and School Board gave us permission to host the Conference.”
Renovations to the high school auditorium’s light, sound and fly system over the past five years, an increase in motels in the area to house delegates and a firm commitment to the theatre arts program in the district are factors leading to the green light for hosting. The conference registration fees cover most of the expenses for the conference, though candy sales during the conference and suggested donations of $5 for visitors who attend the main stage shows will also help cover district expenses.
The state conference kicks off on December 1st with the DeSales University’s Shakespeare Touring Company featuring Daniel Bound-Black, a 2008 North Penn High School graduate. North Penn Theatre’s fall show, Pride and Prejudice, launches the thespian performances at 7:30 p.m. that evening. Additional full-length main stage productions will be held on Friday, December 2nd and will include performances by Penn Manor High School (Dracula, 10 a.m.) and Central York High School (Altar Boyz, 8 p.m.) with the co-creator of Altar Boyz, Michael Patrick Walker, addressing the Conference following the production. On Saturday, December 3rd.
Main stage performing high schools include Upper Dublin High School (Rabbit Hole, 9 a.m.) and Susquehannock High School (Xanadu, 8 p.m.). Audiences are welcome to the main stage performances with balcony seating only and a suggested donation of $5 per show. Passes to the balcony seats can be picked up at the “Ticket Table” in the glass concourse main entrance to North Penn High School.
One-act plays and showcase performances will be held by other Thespian troupes attending the conference in-between the main show productions. In addition, there will be performances and technical theatre scholarship auditions, placement auditions to compete at the International Thespian Festival in Nebraska in June of 2012, booths sponsored by college, university and conservatory theatre programs to talk with and audition potential students and workshops presented by area theatre professionals, college representatives and directors of the attending Thespian troupes. Each day is packed with activities and events promoting theatre arts in many ways for the over 800 students attending the conference.
North Penn’s Thespian Troupe will also be hosting a Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS red ribbon and wristband sale, flea market and silent auction to raise money for BC/EFA. The Troupe usually raises several thousand dollars over the three days of the conference. North Penn’s Thespian Troupe was the first to fundraise for BC/EFA beginning thirteen years ago. Thanks to North Penn, Thespian troupes across the nation now fundraise for BC/EFA. As of fall 2011, Pennsylvania Thespian troupes have raised $85,655 for BC/EFA, with $51,429 coming from the NPHS Thespian Troupe alone. This year the, fundraising from Thespian troupes across the nation will pass the $1 million mark. The North Penn School District is thrilled to announce that Educational Director for BC/EFA Joe Norton will be attending the Conference.
“Hosting a Pennsylvania State Thespian Conference is a huge commitment for many involved,” said Roney. “Many individuals and departments across the district should be recognized for their contributions in making this weekend a success. These include the NPSD School Nutrition Services Department headed by Pam Gallagher and Kathy Montgomery, NPHS custodial staff led by Keith Seifert, North Penn Television and technical advisors Bob Gillmer and Chris Doerr, NPHS security personnel lead by Jim Cortellini and all of the NPHS staff and faculty led by principal Burton T. Hynes. The staff members involved in North Penn High School Theatre helped organize and will run the Conference with the Pennsylvania state adult and student board under the leadership of Bill Hallman. North Penn High School will be the center of all things theatrical this weekend so don’t miss this special event!