March 16, 2023 – For the first time in Kahok history, Collinsville High School students competed in the International Theatre Excellence Awards. Four CHS students competed, and seniors Maleah Gilliland and Thalia Mills received overall scores of superior. The two advance to Indiana University Bloomington on June 19, 2023 to compete at the International Thespian Festival.
Every year, thousands of students from Thespian troupes around the world participate in the Theatre Excellence Awards or the “Thespys.” They progress from their school auditoriums to chapter qualifying events to the international stage.
Thespians are scored by a panel of adjudicators and earn ratings of fair, good, excellent or superior for their presentations. Thespians who earn overall superior ratings at a qualifying event (chapter, regional or alternate qualifier) are invited to the final round of adjudication at the International Thespian Festival.
Next, Thespians who earn overall superior ratings during the ITF round of adjudication are celebrated for their superior achievement, and those Thespians who earn the top-most scores in each category are presented with a Thespy Award.
To qualify for advancement to the international level of competition:
Maleah Gilliland scored an overall superior with a solo acting performance. Solo acting performers must do two contrasting monologues and are judged on acting transitions, characterization, voice, movement and gestures, and execution.
Thalia Mills scored an overall superior with a set design presentation. Thalia presented her set design for the drama club’s fall play, Puffs. Set designers are judged on presentations, research, interpretation, design justification and execution.
Additional CHS 2022-23 competitors:
The two additional CHS students who competed this year in the Theatre Excellence Awards were Katelyn Berger and Nevaeh Papp. Both submitted in the Solo Song category and received excellent ratings.