Knightly News

“It’s time!” “It’s competition season!”

You may hear these words exclaimed within the Visual & Performing Arts Center this month. Upper and Middle School thespians returned early from the holiday break to work on a range of selections they will present at the 2024 Louisiana Thespian Festival set for January 19th and 20th. Theater Production Director Lily McGill says the selections include dancing, singing and acting. Students will present selections from “Singing in the Rain,” “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown,” “James and the Giant Peach,” “Bonnie and Clyde” and more.

Last year was the first time the Episcopal thespians participated in the state competition, and incredibly, the talented group earned a spot at the International Thespian Festival in Indiana for their presentation from “Bat Boy: The Musical.” McGill says momentum is building, and whereas 14 students participated last year, 31 are attending this year. “We have more than doubled the number of kids participating!” she says with excitement.

Building on Success

There is considerable excitement among the group about this year’s festivals. While many student actors participate in numerous on and off-campus activities, McGill says it can be challenging to find competitive theater experiences, making these opportunities all the more special. “It’s brought so much into their lives,” she says of the spark that has been ignited among the students as they prepare to follow up last year’s success. In their first year of competition, the Episcopal Thespians finished first in the state Chapter Select competition, qualifying them for the International Thespian Festival in Indiana. Students followed up the breakout state success with incredible performances on the national level. Thespians earned Superior ratings in Solo Musical Theatre, Solo Acting and Group Musical Theatre Dance. They were one of only two group dances called back for the final Thespy showcase. There was even a commendation from Broadway Licensing for the “Bat Boy: The Musical” performance.

The Magic is in Connecting

Such success is exciting, but McGill says part of the festival magic is observing and learning from others. “A huge part of these festivals is watching other schools and workshops,” says McGill. “It’s a bigger educational experience, like a conference.” Last year, more than 800 students from across the state converged on Northwestern State University for the state festival. That number swelled to thousands once the Episcopal thespians traveled to Indiana University Bloomington for nationals.

Festival experiences offer students the opportunity to compete for scholarships, audition with some of the top arts schools in the state or country and work with composers and industry professionals. Students make connections that last a lifetime. After last year’s experience, senior Joey Roth appreciated the opportunity to connect with others. “By far, the best part of festival was meeting talented people from across the state who all shared a common passion for performing,” he said.

The road to nationals begins at the state level. Episcopal students will present five acting, five musical theater and five dancing cuts. In addition, students have submitted several virtual performances. Both in-person and virtual performances will receive feedback from judges, with Superior-rated performances qualifying for the national competition. In the meantime, these dedicated performers will practice daily to prepare for their time in the spotlight.

Mark your calendars now for the spring musical. Episcopal’s presentation of “Footloose” will take the stage April 18th – 21st.

The Episcopal School of Baton Rouge 2024-2025 application is now available! ​For more information on the application process, to schedule a tour, or learn more about the private school, contact us at [email protected] or 225-755-2685.