Student Activities: Drama Club
Note: Drama Club information appears below this article.
St. Joe Thespians Attend Missouri State Thespian Conference
In January, 2007, four of St. Joe’s six Thespians, accompanied by drama teacher Mr. John Vullo, attended the Missouri State Thespian Conference held at the University of Missouri-St. Louis.
First, a little background is in order. St. Joe’s drama department started a Thespian Troop this school year for the first time. They became troop # 7100 in October of 2006. The International Thespians is an educational theatre organization dedicated to the training and education of high school students interested in the theatre.
To become a Thespian is a great honor; it requires a student to do quality work either on or back stage during her high school career in order to achieve Thespian status. To be eligible a student must have completed 100 hours of work in the theatre during her high school years. Once a student is inducted into The International Thespian Society she receives a copy of "Dramatics Magazine" and a personalized membership card; she then becomes eligible for Thespian scholarship programs and other benefits throughout her high school career.
Thespians for 06-07 were: Nicole Hietter, Abby Hull, Kelli Johnson, Mary McNulty, Meggie Neels, and Haley Wayman.
At the Missouri State Thespian Conference, the students had the opportunity to attend workshops with 30 artists in various disciplines of the theatre. They also saw 3 plays that were staged at the Touhill Performing Arts Center on the UMSL campus. The plays attended were "Urinetown", an all-state show that included performers from schools across the state, "And Then They Came For Me", a riveting play remembering the world of Anne Frank, and "Fools", a very funny play by author Neil Simon. Mr. Vullo also sat in on a One-Act version of "Little Women" to see what ideas he could use in St. Joe’s upcoming production of same.
The girls also attended a workshop on directing and producing with Steven Wolfe, the Artistic Director of the St. Louis Repertory Company, and workshops called "Character Improv", with Ed Reggi, "Be a triple Threat", with Zoe Vonderhaar, "Making it Real", with Colleen Carl, "Master Class Auditioning for Musical Theatre", and "Character Development" with Susie Wall. All the instructors were professionals working in their craft. The girls were very excited to get the information these teachers had to give. Mr. Vullo also attended technical workshops on lighting, electricity, set building, and improvisation. All workshops were very informative and interesting.
In addition to all the workshops the girls also had the opportunity to talk to theatre schools that were in attendance. Next year the troop will even be able to audition for scholarships in the areas of Theatre and Technical Theatre. It was a great conference and will be held in St. Louis again next year. Mr. Vullo hopes to allow more students to attend.
Keep your eye out – we may see these thespians on the world’s stages some day!
Drama Club Info
Only one who attempts the ridiculous can achieve the impossible.
- Miguel Unamuno
President for 2007-08 is Katie Adams.
WHAT IS IT?
The St. Joseph’s Academy Drama Club is the first drama club in over 15 years, but the FIRST EVER of its kind! This year’s Drama Club is going to be completely different from any of those in the past because it is completely STUDENT RUN. That means we need YOU to help make this first year truly memorable and amazing!
WHAT DO WE ACTUALLY DO?
We will have one to two meetings a month, and there will be a different theme that corresponds with a different aspect of theatre for every meeting. The meetings will be full of guest directors and actors, tons of information, lots of surprises, and of course…A CLUB T-SHIRT! There will be field trips in the evening to see local shows, theatre games, exercises, and a year full of work leading up to end of the year ONE ACTS and Drama Club Banquet.
I CAN’T MAKE IT TO A MEETING, WHAT DO I DO?
We planned the meetings only once a month to try to get as many people to be able to participate as we can. With guest people coming in to help, and the strict schedules people have, we are going to stick by the dates that we plan things. If you cannot make a meeting due to any reason, we do hope you will join us for the next one!
CAN I MAKE A COMMENT?
YES and PLEASE DO! For our success of this club, we have to work together to ensure that WE’RE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER. If you have any comments, suggestions, or just would like to tell us ANYTHING, please find us or send us an email.
TECH CREW
Tech Lovers, Actors, and EVERYONE---We want YOU to be on Tech Crew! Every show that St. Joe produces requires tons of technical work, and they are always in need of help! There is no prior experience required, and you will learn a ton of information. Time spent on tech crew can also count towards membership and points in the International Thespian Society.
ONE-ACTS
St. Joe will be producing One-Acts in the early spring. The One-Acts will be STARRING St. Joe students. The shows will be DIRECTED by St. Joe students. The shows will possibly be WRITTEN by St. Joe students.
How is this going to work?
There will be group of student directors, actors, producers, stage managers, tech crews, and other positions all run by students. We will have auditions in which the directors will cast from those who have auditioned. Everything from planning rehearsals to tech week to opening night preparations will all be run, performed, and lead by US! There will be more information given throughout the year, so stay tuned!
We know that with all of us together we can make this Drama Club the best that it possibly can be.
INTERNATIONAL THESPIAN SOCIETY
What is it?
The International Thespian Society is an honorary theatre organization for high school students. ITS will be an extension to the regular St. Joe Drama Club, and it will meet directly after every Drama Club meeting.
Why do I want to be in it?
Thespians receive recognition due to their commitment and excellence in their school’s theatre program. It is membership to the world’s largest theatre society.
As a Thespian you will receive a subscription to Dramatics magazine, eligibility to participate in local ITS activities, scholarships opportunities, exciting meetings, and a chance to put this nationally recognized club on your college application!
Once a member, you will earn different points for the theatre activities in which you participate. The points allow you to move up in the society, and you can earn different levels. One point is equal to 10 hours of work.
I want to join! How do I become a member?
To become a member of the International Thespian Society, the requirement is you must have been in two shows. The membership dues will be $22, and the meetings will start as soon as we get students signed up. If you would like to become a member, listen for information at the meeting or see senior Kelli Johnson or Mr. Vullo.
What if I’m not eligible and I want to be in it?
If you are not eligible now, keep working towards membership! When you have completed two shows, you are eligible.
SPEECH TEAM
St. Joseph’s Academy also has a speech team once, but we are now in the Christian Interscholastic Speech League, which is very similar to the Bellermine Speech League you may have been involved with in grade school. The team will consist of about 15 students.
For more information about the Speech team, select Speech Team from the drop-down menu above.
Theatre Activities Form
Click on the file below to get the Theatre Activities Form.
Theatre Activities Form (33KB)
Come join us!
