The Crothersville Historical and Cultural Arts Association has announced that through a cooperative effort with Crothersville High School, a school acting troupe is being formed in conjunction with the International Thespian Society (ITS).
CHS Principal, David Schill has named Crothersville Historical and Cultural Arts Association President, Brenda Holzworth as ITS Chapter Director. Her duties will be to supervise the Crothersville Thespian Troupe.
Holzworth is a former teacher who retired after 34 years from the Crothersville Community Schools and is an honorary professional member of the Educational Theater Association.
“Around 535 B.C., Thespis added a new dimension to drama by stepping out of the Greek chorus during a performance and reciting portions of the text alone, becoming the first actor,” said Holzworth. “And so we have the International Thespian Society.”
The International Thespian Society is a division of the Educational Theater Association, an honorary organization for High School Theater students and is active in more than 3,900 schools across the United States.
The mission of the ITS is to honor student excellence in Theater Arts. Students earn points towards higher status for active participation. The ITS motto is, “Act well thy part; there all the honor lies.”
“This organization will be of mutual benefit to CHS and the Crothersville Town Players,” said Holzworth. “Students will have additional experiences in drama with the Crothersville Town Players, as well as at the School.
They will have opportunities for recognition, additional extracurricular involvement, membership in the Crothersville Town Players, and possible scholarships, as well achievements to list on college and job applications, she said. Students will be eligible to participate in individual events at chapter conferences and the National Individual Events Showcase (NIES} at festivals. With students becoming active in our dinner theater presentations and other performances, the Crothersville Town Players will benefit from a youthful perspective, a larger base of performers, greater community interest and attendance at performances, and a positive relationship with the school system.
Marie Greathouse has been designated Troupe Manager, and will oversee awarding student points and act as liaison to Peggy Adams, CHS Choir Director.
“Many factors were considered in the forming of the combined effort, such as; local population, manpower, scheduling, resources, economy, and funds,” said Greathouse. “In combing the High School curriculum and the CTP theater events together we can offer a more significant Theater Arts experience for interested students.”
“We look forward to working with the Crothersville Town Players in developing a youth organization here at CHS,” said CHS musical director Peggy Adams.
CHS Principal David Schill was also optimistic. “We see this as a wonderful opportunity for our students. Working with the Crothersville Town Players will provide our students ways to give back to the Crothersville Community,” he said.
The School Theater Program meets every Tuesday after school, in Mrs. Adams’ classroom.
The theater event for this quarter is a celebration of Crothersville history and will be presented as a Dinner Theater at Hamacher Hall at 7 p.m. on Friday, April 4. The program is then scheduled to be presented on stage at the Crothersville High School the evening of April 11.
