Parkers Chapel Thespian Troup was recognized by Parkers Chapel School Board Monday night for their awards and scholarships at State Festival. Juniors Madeline Couture, Clayton Evers, and Hannah Elizabeth scored Superiors in Solo Musical. With their rankings, each received a $12,000 scholarship to The Savannah College of Art and Design and an invitation to compete at the International Thespian Festival this summer. Sophomore Alyssa Purifoy also scored an Excellence for her work in monologue acting, and Madeline, Hannah, and Alyssa received an Excellence for their entry into Group Musical.
Over 1,200 high school students from 53 high schools around the state attended the festival in person and virtually. The event offered over 100 workshops with 58 guest artists. Workshops included acting, dancing, stage combat, puppetry, set design, and directing. Several theatre professionals from around the country offered workshops on auditioning and getting into the theatre and film business. Students also had the opportunity to enter competitions as individuals, duets, or groups in a variety of singing, acting, and technical events.
Arkansas Thespian Festival also offers students the opportunity to audition for college theatre programs. Over 20 colleges from around the nation auditioned students for performance, technical, and theatre education scholarships. Over $2 Million in scholarships was offered over the course of the weekend.
Parkers Chapel Theatre Department and Thespian Troupe sponsor is Dr. Tracye Couture. Dr. Couture has been involved in theatre all throughout her high school and college years. She took a break to study, travel and teach English. When Dr. Couture came to Parkers Chapel, she saw the need for reestablishing PC's theatre program and was met with full support from the school and the community. The program is currently in its fourth year of shows and its third year as a Thespian troupe.
Parkers Chapel theatre students and the Junior class are currently preparing for their upcoming show, The Audition, in April. The show is a fundraiser benefiting the Junior Class.
The El Dorado News Times feature theatre students in a front page article on February 17, 2022.
