2013 marks the 35th year that Westerville South High School has attended the Ohio State Thespian Conference. Thirty-two students traveled to Sylvania Northview High School for the event which featured performances, workshops, and other displays of theatrical talents.
Leah Kincer and Sharif Stone auditioned and were selected as actors in this year’s All-Ohio production of Rent. Each year the Ohio Educational Theatre Association produces a show to be performed at the State Thespian Conference. Students from all over Ohio audition for the highly coveted and competitive roles, and only 25 were selected for the show. Kincer was cast as a featured ensemble member and Stone landed the lead role of Angel. The duo traveled to Sylvania, Ohio for a total of five weekends throughout January and February to rehearse for the musical. The program was produced in March after only 15 rehearsals. This unique opportunity allowed these students to be a part of a show that addresses many difficult issues while working with a production team, cast, and crew assembled from all parts of the state.
Six sSouth thespians (Matt Charleston, Lucas LeWinter, Andrew Millsap, Morgan Oates, Matthew Phillips, and Melanie Raphael) also competed in the conference’s annual Technical Crew Challenge and placed second overall in the state. The challenge included having students manipulate a sound board, arrange and focus light fixtures, craft props from unusual materials, and create a costume. After scoring the second place title, the thespians were awarded with theatre apparel and a brand-new Source 4 light fixture for South’s auditorium valued at over $400.
South’s theatre department is headed by director Sarah Detrick and the technical crew is led by Brad BeVier.