Osceola Fundamental High School has had a successful year in the theater department so far. There was a chorus concert held by Mr. Campbell with the help of Mr. Shea and Mrs. Wolfenden. There was a Halloween themed haunted house that brought in over $1,000. This was organized by Victorya Santos, president of the International Thespian Society at Osceola, as well as Mr. Shea, long term sub for Ms. Eichler.
The International Thespian Society is an Honor Society made for students in theater. The society gives students opportunities to indulge in local theater as well as offer scholarships to big theater companies. The society is within different schools through Pinellas County, each assigned with their own troupe number. OFHS’s society is Troupe #3507. Osceola students in the society are allowed to attend Districts. Districts is a three-day event that includes the showcase of one act plays, performance events, and technical events. All of these events are judged by adjudicators who are or have been in show business. The events are scored and placed, by the end of the day students know the highest scorers. Those with the highest scores are chosen to go to a next level competition, States. However, all students go home at the end of the three days with the knowledge that they represented Troupe #3507.
The first two days of competition take place on Thursday and Friday, and they are held for the showcase of each Troupes one act. This year, Troupe #3507’s one act is directed and chosen by Victorya Santos. The name of the one act is “We are the Sea”. It is a 40-minute show with a large cast about the difficult journey to leave Ireland and the struggles in Ireland. Victorya Santos, 12th grade, said “I’m thrilled to be working with this cast and crew. This will be my third year at districts and my first time directing. This show will have a special place in my heart, as it is completely student ran. We have worked so hard on We are the Sea and I can’t wait to represent troupe #3507 at our district thespian festival.”. The cast of We are the Sea has worked very hard to learn their lines and their blocking of the show.
The other events being taken to districts are induvial events that do not require an entire cast of people. There are duets, solos, small group pieces, large group pieces, and more. Maddalyn King, 10th grade, is taking a duet, and said that she feels, in terms of preparedness, that her duet is ready. She is also taking a large group musical that she is the lead in and has helped directed. Samantha Cressman, 11th grade, has attended Districts twice and is “excited as ever” to attend once again. Along with dramatic presentations there are technical events that are taken to compete as well. Allison Boza, 11th grade, is taking a costume design and construction. Boza said “On a scale of one to ten of preparedness, I’d say I’m an eight.” All events will be judged in just a month so everyone is beginning to feel pressure to be ready for the day.
