Midsummer Day’s Encore for Thespian Troupe #5464

Some+of+the+cast+from+the+Fall+play.+

Connor Niszczak

Some of the cast from the Fall play.

TOWAMENCIN- Even though Mamma Mia! preparations have already begun, Thespian Troupe #5464 continues to feed off of their success from the fall production, A Midsummer Night’s Dream.

The cast and crew of the show was gathered in the auditorium and were surprised by Director Andrea Roney with a letter from Nancy Brown, Events Director of the International Thespian Conference, who revealed that North Penn’s thespians were invited to travel to Lincoln, Nebraska and perform at the international conference.

“29 schools are adjudicated, and then 11 of those schools are invited to the conference. 8 were picked because of their fall performances, and 3 more will be chosen between now and the middle of February,” remarked Roney.

Thespian Troupe #5464 was invited to Lincoln, but anyone who wants to attend the conference can become eligible if they meet one of three categories: Cast or Crew of A Midsummer Night’s Dream who attended the State Thespian Conference, students who qualified with IE auditions at States, and any Thespian Officer or Cabinet Member.

This year, North Penn seniors Sammi Stec, Molly Hofstaedter, and Katie Krise are being recognized for how they performed in their Individual Events.

“All three of us received Superior ratings on our Individual Events which was like an audition, so now we get to perform them at Internationals in the hopes to get Superior ratings there, and we will receive medals and things of that nature,” said Stec, president of Thespian Troupe #5464.

Krise is being honored for her Emily costume in Our Town, and Stec and Hofstaedter for superior performances in solo musical numbers.

“It’s always hard to close a show, so it’s such a privilege that we have the chance to bring the story to life again! On top of that, to be recognized internationally for our work is an incredible honor. This is the perfect way to finish out my senior year, and I’m already counting down the days until Nebraska!,” reflected Hofsteadter, Troupe #5464 Co-Vice President.

Although Hofstaedter, along with much of the Midsummer ensemble, will be graduating this June, they will get to spend just a few days more on the North Penn stage following graduation. The cast will have rehearsals from June 15-19, and two performances at 1:00 and 7:30 p.m. on June 20th that will be open to the general public. These performances will be free, but donations to NPHS Theatre are highly encouraged.

Since the International Thespian Conference is as esteemed as it is, North Penn’s Thespians are, unsurprisingly, extremely honored and excited about the once in a lifetime experience they will have in Nebraska.

“Theatre is one of my favorite things to do, so doing it at an international level is crazy. Like, performing in front of people from all over the world with the same interests as me? Woah. I’m super excited to do the show again at the conference and I’m honored to be going,” voiced Treasurer Joe Popp.

Thespian Co-Vice President Emma Stearsman added, “I would say it’s an incredible opportunity that we’ve been selected for something so amazing. I’m extremely excited to revisit Petra Quince as a character and jump back into the world of Midsummer, finding new discoveries and new connections within the play. I couldn’t think of a better way to wrap up my time with North Penn Theatre.”