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August 2026
August 2026
Welcome to a new school year! We are ready to get rolling with CLUE, Homecoming, Thespians, Illinois High School Theatre Festival, and some Cupcake Fundraising! Thank you for CLUEing into our newsletter. We had an awesome summer. Our most exciting MHS Theatre Events was the International Thespian Festival. I cannot wait to go again! I had so much fun, and Nick and Emme will say the same thing. Just ask them. All MHS Students should go to IHSTF to compete in Thespys! If you get SUPERIOR, you qualify for ITF in June. We are so excited to go, and our very own Moline Admin Team is supporting this field trip by paying for my registration. This is wonderful! So start talking with me and your friends about Thespy ideas! As always, email me if you have any questions or concerns about anything theatre related at Moline High School. I don't DO all the things, but I know how to get you connected with the people who DO!
🔍 CLUE🔍
The cast list is posted, and we're starting with August 24 theatre orientation to get everyone on the same page. Then we'll jump right in with a read through on Tuesday, August 25 after school. Angela Rathman and Cait Bodenbender direct the actors, Phil Rhea helps build the set. If you are hoping to get involved, this is the week to show up! Make sure we have your emergecy contact info by filling out the interest form.
🦜 Homecoming🦜
We are marching in the parade this year on September 18. We will be dressing in the theme of RIO (bright colors, bird costumes, feathers!) and selling water bottles. Come to Thespians Club after school on Sept.4 to decorate your mask. Also, we need your help getting the following materials:
⭐ cases of water bottles to sell
⭐ wagons to pull around
⭐ A GOLF CART would be awesome if anyone can get one to the school. We can park it in the scene shop!
🎭 IHSTF🎭
The Illinois High School Theatre Festival is a wonderful field trip in January with 4,000+ high school students from Illinois. We go to workshops, see shows from other high schools, meet industry professionals, and compete in THESPYS. Click all those links to learn more. An application packet can be found in B217 or in the backstage hallway by C135. Application packets and $20 refundable deposit are due Sept.10, 2026
Only 20 spots available, so be sure to talk to Mrs. Koski and Mr. Holmes today about your THESPY ideas.
🧁 Cupcake Fundraiser🧁
Every year we offer the QC a chance to get Scratch Cupcakes delivered to their door. They don't need to go to Iowa City! Woooo! To set up a store and help us start selling, go to the link below before Sept.20. Paper info is available as well. Go to Thespians Club on Sept.4. All proceeds help fund our workshops and field trips, especially International Thespian Festival.
Set up your shop here:
https://portal.myfundraisingplace.com/register-seller/4e187476-9940-4ab5-b840-28bbf7d4d4e5
Our store link will be sent out on Sept.21
THE WINTER PLAY - If you're already getting excited about THESPYS and/or the winter play, talk to Mrs. Koski or Mr. Holmes about your ideas. We are putting together a cabaret, and we want you to feel ready for those auditions. You need to know your songs, dances, monologues, scenes BEFORE auditions on October 26. Start discussing your ideas now. We will use our Thespian Club time to help you, we will send emails to help you, we will share our materials to help you, and we will sometimes even use class time to talk about it! This will be an amazing experience, so start planning now. If you are considering presenting a THESPY in stage management, film, design, or technology, you could even have a booth set up in the lobby during the winter play to help you prepare for your THESPY adjudication. So much to think about! Talk to us today!
🗓️ International Thespian Festival
June 21-26, Bloomington, Indiana
Emmersyn Pettit (Thespy Competitor) and Nicholas Betts (Illinois State Thespian Officer) need your support!
Only $500 left to reach our goal. Want to give? Email Mrs. Koski at kkoski@molineschools.org. Sponsorships and eBay items available in return.
🗓️ Quad Cities Summer Performances:
🎶 Bettendorf Community Band - concerts frequently throughout the summer (Grant Adamson)
🎭 Genesius Guild - Outdoor Summer Theatre at Lincoln Park throughout the summer (Madi Filzen Etzel, Kay Benz, Bailey Callahan)
🗓️ July 17-19 - Center for Living Arts
Jesus Christ Superstar
(Kristinia Deem, Eli Hayz, Payton Braddy)
If you have more to add to this list, let us know! (email kkoski@molineschools.org)
April 9, 2026
April 9, 2026
Happy Spring! I am so excited for the next 2 months in MHS Theatre!
🔥 Student-Directed Showcase - Rehearsals begin this week, and I'm continually impressed by the student directors this year. They are beyond excited to bring quality theatre and lots of laughs. You will thoroughly enjoy the show this year. Mark your calendars - May 8 at 7pm.
⭐ BRIGHT STAR - Field Trip alert! We are going to Carthage College in Kinosha, WI to see a student matinee showing of BRIGHT STAR, a musical by Steve Martin. April 29 is the field trip, and only 20 spots available. Turn in your permission slip to Mrs. Koski or Mr. Holmes by April13, then check your email so you know if you got a spot!
👩🏽⚖️Officer Elections for 2026-2027 School Year. Complete this form by April 30, 2026
👯 BOOSTERS LETTER BELOW - Please take the time to click all the links below to help Boosters prepare for Dramatic Desserts, Senior Recognition, and the Senior Scholarships. This is a wonderful end-of-the-year event for friends and families to celebrate with us. If you're getting this newsletter, you're invited! Dress is typically formal, but in the theatre community, that means wearing clothes that make you feel fabulous.
You may have gotten an email or Remind about this already. If you didn't, let me know and I can add you to their mailing list.
-Kristin Koski, MHS Theatre Director and Teacher (kkoski@molineschools.org)
Dear Theatre Families,
As we wrap up another incredible year of performances, activities, and experiences we are excited to invite you to the end-of-year Theatre Awards Ceremony! Also known as - Dramatic Desserts!
🎭🧁 DRAMATIC DESSERTS Event Details
Date: Monday, May 11th
Location: MHS Cafeteria
This will be a very special evening where we reflect on and celebrate all of the outstanding performances, talent, and dedication shown throughout the school year.
✏️ RSVP & Sign-Up
Please use this link to RSVP and sign up to bring a dessert or item to share:
SENIORS:
🌠 Senior Recognition
We are also excited to honor our graduating seniors during the evening.
If you are a senior or the parent of one, please complete THIS FORM so we can properly recognize you and your family.
Deadline: May 1, 2026
💵 Senior Scholarships
Drama Boosters is proud to offer up to 2 senior scholarships this year.
Graduating students are encouraged to apply HERE
Deadline: Thursday, May 7
Thank you for a wonderful school year filled with creativity, hard work, and memorable performances. We can’t wait to celebrate together and recognize the amazing accomplishments of our students!
Looking forward to celebrating with you,
Annelyse Inskeep & Anika Martin
MHS Drama Boosters Leaders
March 13, 2026
March 13, 2026
Special Thespian Society Edition!
This newsletter is devoted to celebrating our amazing students in the International Thespian Society. Thank you for all your work at making MHS Theatre an inclusive, passionate, and talented group of theatre people.
The International Thespian Society is an organization devoted to celebrating the dedication of Theatre Students. Students earn points for each theatre experience:
working backstage
acting in a show
seeing shows
taking classes and attending workshops
attending Drama Club
service events such as hanging up posters and cleaning up campus
theatre field trips
In return, they get that boost on their resume, a certificate, bumper sticker, pin, and opportunity for more honors.
This year we are beginning to add more honor rewards for those who maintain their membership with Drama Club attendance, service activites, and more. We plan to add a display with of their headshots for future classes to admire! Students are working to update their Thespian Point Spreadsheets by March 18.
If you want to be a Thespian, email kkoski@molineschools.org
MHS Troupe 1900 Thespians:
Morgan Adams
Grant Adamson
Ashlyn Anderson
Natalia Badillo
Kay Benz
Jacob Berkley
Nicholas Betts
Payton Braddy
Faith Burns
Sylvia Campbell
Ava Christian
Desmond Cobb
Hudson Harper
Rex Inskeep
Anastasia McFarland
Julia Mock
Lilith Norman
Emmersyn Pettit
Sam Rentfro
Blue Roland
Dylan Sitko
Gavin Steadman
January 12, 2026
January 12, 2026
⚰️ Addams Family:
⚰️ Addams Family:
The Spring Musical is going well! The actors have been meeting for a week, and the crew starts working this week. If you're still interested in joining crew, go to the scene shop after school to get signed up OR message the crew Remind Messaging.
March 12 and 13 at 7pm, March 14 at 2pm
If you're not in the musical Remind Messaging Group or Google Calendar, email bholmes@molineschools.org
📓 Drama Club and May Showcase:
📓 Drama Club and May Showcase:
Drama Club meets on Fridays, 3:15-4pm. No Drama Club on Friday, January 16 due to the Finals Schedule.
Interested Leaders should complete the interest form by Feb.1. If you're writing a play or finding a play, Koski needs scripts/drafts by Feb.1 as well.
The May Showcase is May 8th at 7pm.
Auditions? We will keep you posted on this website!
🌠 Thespian Society = Theatre Honors:
🌠 Thespian Society = Theatre Honors:
Moline High School is a proud member of the International Thespian Society. Troup 1900 is full of outstanding theatre students. To be a part of this honor society, ask Mrs. Koski for a spreadsheet to record your participation in theatre! kkoski@molineschools.org
This year's induction ceremony will be at the Dramatic Desserts night, which is tentatively scheduled for May 11th. To be inducted, your points sheet must be updated by March 18th.
Illinois Thespians (including our own State Thespian Officer, Nick Betts), have planned a leadership workshop for all IL Theatre Leaders? If you're interested in learning more about how to be a strong leader, fill out the TALENT interest form linked here! More info included at the top of the form. It's just to tell us you're interested, and we'll contact you with more info about it! It's Feb.21
🎭Theatre Fest:
🎭Theatre Fest:
Congratulations to the 14 MHS Students who participated in Theatre Festival 2026, the 50th Anniversary!
Nick Betts and Emme Pettit won 1st place in Ground Plan competition at the Tech Challenge
The Tech Challenge Team earned a glowing review and had a lot of fun. They are looking to expand the team for next year. Thank you, Nick Betts, Jacob Berkley, Whitney Brown, Desmond Cobb, Emme Pettit, and Dillon Pauwells.
Emme Pettit won a superior rating for her Thespy presentation for Prop Construction. She may be attending the International Thespian Festival in Bloomington, Indiana, this summer!
Congratulations to these Thespy competitors for their Excellent ratings: Nick Betts for Set Design, Blue Roland for Musical Theatre Solo, and Whitney Brown for Contrasting Monologues.
If you have more news to share or you would like to be a part of the Newsletter team, email kkoski@molineschools.org.
September 10
September 10
🧁Scratch Cupcake has started! Liv is in the lead! Top sellers have the chance to win a $50 gift card. Also, if you sell more than 20 items, you get a free item of your choice! (wait until Sept.28 to order from Mrs. Koski)
Click here to order (choose a drama club kid to order from, then they'll deliver the cupcakes to you on Oct.16)
Drama Club kids: click here to create your own store page OR see Mrs. Koski for a paper order form
🔥THE OUTSIDERS is up and running!
Fall Play Parent Meeting/Boosters Meeting/ Theatre Fest Parent Meeting = September 22, 5:30-6:30 in the Black Box Theatre at MHS (enter by the main lobby of the BPAC)
All parents strongly encouraged to attend. Students welcome as well.
Email me if you need more info or cannot make it: kkoski@molineschools.org
Plan to eat at PANERA BREAD on Sept.30, anytime 4-8pm. Mention MHS theatre at checkout. If ordering online, enter FUND4U code at checkout.
Note From Mrs. Koski:
Sept.10: My favorite spot after school is sitting in the theatre office, working on theatrey things like budgets and contact sheets and script analysis. This week I got to overhear the chatter over the keurig - it's like the "water cooler chats" in the workplace. Students asking each other where the sugar is while they also chat about which characters they're playing in THE OUTSIDERS or what they're excited about for homecoming. I'm glad they feel comfortable to come in and sit down, especially when they offer to help with filing (thank you, Kay and Morgan!). All these conversations have given me a very positive vibe about our 2025-26 school year. From Auditions and Tech Challenge to Drama Club meetings and the Activities Fair, all students are collaborating and learning new skills! Thank you for your support! Enjoy this list of latest news in our new Newsletter spot. Hopefully it's easier to navigate than last year's Canva newsletters. Let me know! I'm always ready to hear new ideas. Count how many times I wrote "new" on this page! kkoski@molineschools.orgPHOTOS = Tech Challenge Day and MHS Theatre goes to London (With Rocky and UT)
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