History of International Thespian Society
The International Thespian Society was established in 1929. The organization is named for Thespis, the ancient Greek playwright/actor who, according to legend, stepped out from the chorus and became the first actor. The Society’s guiding principle is a dedication to excellence in educational theatre. The International Thespian Society honors those students who do theatre well in honor of all that is drama, from the use of artistic lighting to focus attention, to the painting of the scenery or the sculpture of a costume or the makeup on actor’s face. From the soundless movements of acting to the rhythmic movements of dance. From the playwright’s script that will heighten our awareness of the world to the spoken speech, we honor all the arts that are theatre.
Famous alumni include Tom Hanks, Val Kilmer, James Masters, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, and Stephen Schwartz.
History of Troupe #8206
In 1987, after moving to a new school my Senior year of high school, a young Mr. Webb was introduced and inducted into a group called the International Thespian Society. I had no idea what this award meant or what it represented, but it made the many hours I spent working on a show feel acknowledged.
In 2016 NBHS chartered Troupe #8206 to create a nationally recognized acknowledgment of the work our students contribute to the Theatre department.
Our founding members were:
Jennifer Anna (President), Jasper Yoke (Vice President), Rease German (Secretary), Ashley Dillingham (Historian), Rachel Carter, Beatrice Reece, Shaelyn Roberts, Sophie Swift, Katie Magley, and Claire Martin,
Alumni members are:
Brett Morgan, John Kniffin, Kaylee Long, Sarah Myer, Cosmo Heinrich-Buck, Michael Hanson, Megan German, Ali Fagnant, Brianna Brewer, Sarah Reavis, Emily Moss, Heather Morgan, Maliyah Moore, Haley Miller, Alexis Grant, Rachel Aiken, Isabella Annoreno-Spencer, Hollie Cutshall, Chloe Daly, Rylee Ervin, Natasha Earley, Amelia Pressley, Clara Monts, Ashley Rogers, Josephine Cooper, Nate Ogden, and Karis Hudgins.
Current Members
Below are the current members of the International Thespian Society at NBHS.
Kate Parsons
Senior
President
Ryan Papaioannou
Senior
Vice President
Sienna Charlier
Junior
Webmaster
Meadow Willis
Sophomore
Historian
Kate Hannah
Senior
Title
Charlee Rumbough
Senior
Title
Paran Peters
Junior
Regional and State Winner
Madelynne Wetchtel
Junior
Regional Winner
Diana Franzi
Junior
Historian
Andy Bowman
Junior
Alivia Schreck
Junior
Anthony Thomas
Sophomore
Gracie Bryson
Freshman
Ian Jones
Freshman
Emma Claire Holerfield
Sophomore
Madison Brown
Senior