Correction Notice: This article has been updated to reflect accurate information.

     Singing, dancing, and monologues, oh my! From compelling solo performances to vibrant group renditions of “Toledo Surprise,” Shorecrest’s Troupe 3140 showcased their hard work at the District IV Thespian Festival.

     Founded in 1929, the International Thespian Society is one of the oldest existing honor societies. Each year, its members attend the district competition, where they participate in various theatrical categories including playwriting, technical theater, costume design, one-act plays, and more. 

     The Shorecrest Upper School Thespians competed in the District IV Thespian Festival at PCCA Gibbs High School on December 7th, with both the troupe and individuals performing throughout the day. Senior and president of Shorecrest’s International Thespian Society troupe Remy de Paris said the competition was both “nerve-wracking,” and “incredibly exciting.”

     The Thespian Festival may seem like a contest for who is best, but in reality, it has a secondary focus on learning through observation. US Performing Arts Producer & Thespian Director Michael McCarthy said, “What I loved about last Saturday was the relationship between Shorecrest and other schools.” McCarthy, in his iconic Irish accent, described the event as having “a really good vibe.”

          After hours of anxious waiting, the final awards were posted. The troupe earned ten excellents, four superiors, and two goods, including a Critics Choice award won by sophomore Sofia Lee. Upon seeing her name next to the coveted award, Lee said, “At first I thought it was a typo.”

      In addition to Lee’s success, the group performance, the song “Toledo Surprise” from The Drowsy Chaperone, was awarded an excellent. The group consisted of seniors Luca Baker and Remy de Paris, juniors Kaelie Dieter, Tanner Johnson, and Alex Lewis, sophomores Tyler Biggar, Summer Farkas, Isabella Jank, Daniel Cooper, and Jill Marcus, and Sofia Lee, and freshmen Tanyiah Ellison, Boston Littlepage-Santana, Ella Mathews, Sanjay Sinha, and Alex Jank. Superior awards were earned by Lee, Dieter, Farkas, and junior Sally Keane. Excellent awards were earned by Baker, de Paris, Mathews, Lewis, Johnson, Marcus, Sinha, Jank, and junior Jasper Hallock-Wishner.

     The District IV Festival ended in an award ceremony Saturday evening, where Critics Choice award winners performed their winning acts. Lee performed both of her monologues, entitled “No Substitutes” by Don Zolidis and “Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead” by Tom Stoppard. 

     The District IV Thespian Festival is a place where all people with a love for theater can come together and learn more about their area of interest. Shorecrest’s thespians took home several awards at the District Festival, and look to earn more at the State Festival in March.