Knightly News

The show must go on, even in the snow and ice! Last weekend, 19 Upper and Middle School students braved the arctic blast to participate in the Louisiana Thespian Festival at Northwestern State University. Thank you to all of the parents who helped make this possible. A big thank you to the student understudies who jumped in as needed and learned new numbers the night before performances! 

The determination and passion for theater and the arts exhibited by the student actors paid off. “For the first time, all eleven (100%) of our performance Thespys (acting, musical theatre, and dance) earned a Superior and advanced to nationals!” says Theater Production Director Lily McGill. “We did the best we’ve ever done with our Thespys.” 

This year’s Thespian Festival featured 40 schools with approximately 1,000 student participants. There was a record number of Thespy entries, with more than 300 in person and 90 virtual. Despite weather-related challenges, Episcopal participated in 11 out of 15 planned Thespys. In addition, juniors John Harper Wilkinson, Riana Yano and Marshall Elliott completed college auditions, and each earned multiple callbacks. Eighth grader Koyomi Ogihara also won an award for his knot-tying skills in the Tech Challenge. 

The student actors received two callbacks for the Final Showcase entry “Why Are All the D’Ysquiths Dying?” in Group Musical Theatre and “America” in Solo Dance. “This means that these acts were among the top scores in the state,” says McGill. In the Final Showcase, sophomore Ava Rheubottom represented Troupe 88800 because she won Solo Dance with “America.” “We are so proud of her, and she’s continued our streak since Joey Roth ’24 won Solo Dance in 2023 and 2024 for Troupe 88800,” says McGill. McGill says Troupe 88800 also submitted 26 other acts for virtual adjudication, and they are awaiting those scores. Students who earn a Superior in the virtual round will also advance to nationals.

Congratulations to our Episcopal thespians! We can’t wait to see what you do at nationals! 

1. Group Musical Theatre—“You Don’t Know/I Am the One” from “Next to Normal” —Sam Chrest, Marshall Elliott, Connor Swillie
   • Superior Rating
2. Group Musical Theatre—“Why Are All the D’Ysquiths Dying?” from “A Gentleman’s Guide to Love & Murder” —Adelyn Broussard, Caleb Broussard, Nathan D’Gerolamo, Oscar Fenske, Alex Hayden, Ryan Mengelson-Clark, Ava Rheubottom, Charlotte Spring, John Harper Wilkinson, Emma Hazel Wingate, Riana Yano
   • Superior Rating
   • Top 3 scores in state, earned a callback
3. Group Musical Theatre—“Mr. Sandman” from “The Marvelous Wonderettes” —Marielle Doherty, Annie Engholm, Sylvee Soleau, Julia Whitney
   • Superior Rating
4. Duet Musical Theatre—“Devil Take the Hindmost” from “Love Never Dies” —Marshall Elliott, Connor Swillie
   • Superior Rating
5. Duet Musical Theatre—“Unworthy of Your Love” from “Assassins” —Sam Chrest, John Harper Wilkinson
   • Superior Rating
6. Duet Acting— “Final Approach” —Ava Rheubottom, Charlotte Spring
   • Superior Rating
7. Solo Acting— “I’m Gonna Marry You Tobey Maguire/The Dark at the Top of the Stairs” —Sam Chrest
   • Superior Rating
8. Duet Musical Theatre Dance—“Loud” from “Matilda” —Adelyn Broussard, Caleb Broussard
   • Superior Rating
9. Solo Musical Theatre Dance—“America” from “West Side Story” —Ava Rheubottom
   • Superior Rating
   • OVERALL WINNER IN SOLO DANCE, performed at Final Showcase
10. Solo Musical Theatre Dance—“Land of Yesterday” from “Anastasia” —Adelyn Broussard
    • Superior Rating
11. Solo Musical Theatre Dance—“Puttin on the Ritz” from “Young Frankenstein” —Marshall Elliott
    • Superior Rating

Join us in congratulating these student actors in the comments section below!

The Episcopal School of Baton Rouge 2025-2026 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.