Drama Club Students Attend State Thespian Conference
Written by ShawnZeya Brown (Class of 2026)
More than 1,500 thespians from across Ohio gather each year for the State Thespian Conference, an exciting weekend dedicated to celebrating high school theatre and theatre education. For the 2025-26 school year, the conference was held at Chillicothe High School in Chillicothe in April. The conference provides students and educators with opportunities to participate in workshops, attend performances, and explore a wide range of theatrical experiences, from plays and musicals to solo acts, vendors, scholarship opportunities, and college showcases. The event allows students with all kinds of interests to express themselves, whether they are actors, directors, designers, or simply theatre enthusiasts.
While adult leaders oversee the event, students play a major role in its success. Six student State Thespian Officers (STOs) from each region of Ohio help plan and run the conference. Among them is Central Catholic junior Madeleine Robinson, a dedicated CCHS Drama Club officer recognized for her strong leadership skills. Each STO works diligently to ensure the conference runs smoothly and continues to grow.
The CCHS group traveled nearly three hours to attend, led by Drama Club moderator Mrs. Angela Mills and technical director Ms. Charity Givens. Twelve students from Central Catholic participated: Selena Aldaco, ShawnZeya Brown, Kennedy Coker, Payton Cox, Marnyc Glover (All-Ohio Show Ragtime), Sam Reagan, Eoghan Robinson, Madeleine Robinson (STO), Olivia Smallwood, Aleeah Smith, Mykailah Welborn (All-Ohio Show Ragtime), and Anayah Young.
One of the highlights of the Ohio State Thespian Conference is the featured musical, which brings together talented students from across the state. This year’s production was Ragtime, a powerful musical based on the novel by E.L. Doctorow. The story follows three families - an African American pianist, Coalhouse Walker Jr., and his partner Sarah; a Jewish immigrant, Tateh, his daughter Lucy, and her son Zeek; and a wealthy white family - each pursuing the American Dream in the early 20th century. We were especially proud to have two Central Catholic juniors, Marnyc Glover and Mykailah Welborn, selected to perform in this prestigious production.
Throughout the weekend, we met people from diverse backgrounds who shared our passion for theatre. We built connections with fellow students and industry professionals during workshops and scholarship sessions. As a participant, I can confidently say there was always something engaging to do or see. Some of us even attended a dance workshop for Matilda the Musical, where we learned choreography from scratch.
On Friday, the conference began with introductions, followed by an energetic performance of Ragtime. Saturday was packed with activities from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m., offering a wide variety of workshops and performances, including the musical Bright Star. On Sunday, the conference concluded with an awards ceremony recognizing outstanding performers, directors, and solo acts. It was inspiring to see students honored for their hard work, with some even receiving scholarships for their achievements.
Overall, the State Thespian Conference was an unforgettable experience filled with creativity, learning, and connection. It allowed students to grow as performers and individuals while celebrating the power of theatre.
