Los Al Thespians went to state

​This past weekend, 30 students from Los Al’s Drama Department competed in the CA State Thespian Festival.  Thespians is the student theatre honor society that is part of EdTA, the Educational Theatre Association, and is an internationally recognized organization.
 
At the Thespian Festival, 62 schools were in attendance, and over 700 Individual Events (I.E.’s) were performed.
 
As always, our students represented Los Alamitos incredibly well.
 
The Improv Team, who placed 1st last year, was made up of returning member Ellie Sims, and joined by Hasti Bakian, Kristi Gundhus, Shelby Marsh, and Tara Virgil. For the time time in know festival history, our Los Al Improv team placed 1st in the State of CA…AGAIN!
 
Our Group Acting team of Stephen Geller, Tara Virgil, and Kayla Wiggs not only received a superior for their scene, Poor Shem, but they placed 2nd in the state for Group Acting.
 
Macy Boren received a $350 scholarship to study musical theatre this summer at South Coast Repertory.
 
Denise Chacanaca received the Ellis Jordan Scholarship, which pays for half of the cost for her to attend the International Thespian Festival in Nebraska this summer.
 
Eight of out students, including Cameron Alvarez, Michael Hietala, Nick Jurado, Cole Schneider, Kristi Gundhus, Ellie Sims, Alison Parsons, and Ashley Wallrich were chosen to participate in CA Playwrights, performing the works of playwright Jonathan Rand, who was in residence to work with the students during their rehearsal process.
 
Four of our theatre technicians were chosen to work on the All-State Show, a full production put on in 36 hours.  Joe Rios (Spotlight Operator), Erin Henkhaus (Scenic/Paint Crew), Angelica Alvarez (Assistant Stage Manager) and Olivia (Rose) Elvidge (Assistant Stage Manager) were on the All-State tech crew, and Joe, Erin, and Angelica received special commendation for their work.
 
Out of over 700 IE’s, Los Alamitos received 13 Superior Rankings, enabling those events to be performed at the International Thespian Festival in Nebraska in June, where our students will perform, audition for over 60 college programs, and see 9-12 full length shows.
 
 
Superiors are:
Ellie Sims, Kristi Gundhus, Shelby Marsh, Hasti Bakian, Tara Virgil- Improv
Miles Austin- Lighting Design
Kendallyn Beltran- Lighting Design
Angelica Alvarez/Brooke Harris- Duet Acting
Kaitlin Buxton/Michael Moseray- Duet Acting
Ellie Sims/Jessie Winslow- Duet Acting
Ahmad Ishqair- Stage Management
Alison Parsons- Monologues
Kaitlin Buxton- Monologues
Stephen Geller/Tara Virgil/Kayla Wiggs- Group Acting
Anna Baker/Macy Boren/Shelby Marsh- Group Acting
Hasti Bakian- Solo Musical
Tara Virgil- DVD Film