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Emporia High students outline theater season, festivals and community outreach
Summary
Teacher Amanda Ballard and students presented the high-school theater program’s recent productions, festivals and community outreach, noting large volunteer time commitments, an audience of more than 800 for the musical and student success at the Kansas Thespian Festival.
Amanda Ballard, Emporia High School’s theater teacher, and students presented a program highlight describing recent productions, student participation, festival results and community outreach.
Ballard introduced students Trey Hendricks (senior, theater president) and Kaylee Wellman (sophomore, promotions chair), who summarized activities including community-service events, traveling shows and recent productions. The theater presented Legally Blonde as its musical this year with an audience of more than 800 and more than 100 student and staff participants; staff said it was among the top three highest-grossing musicals in recent school history.
Students described service and outreach work including a “trick-or-treat so kids can eat” food drive, participation in the Miss Amazing Pageant supporting young women with disabilities, a kids’ theater camp for elementary students, prom-dress rentals and traveling performances that drew nearby schools to Emporia shows.
Trey and Kaylee reported on festival participation: 14 students competed at the Kansas Thespian Festival, earning seven “superior” ratings, five “excellence” and two “good.” Seven superior ratings qualify those performers to advance to the International Thespian Festival. Students also described their rehearsal schedules — typically Monday–Thursday 3:30–6:30 p.m., additional Saturday work calls, approximately 30 hours per week during active productions and extended tech-week schedules (3:30–9 p.m. with dinner provided by sponsors) — and affirmed they maintain passing grades and eligibility while participating.
Recent productions included 26 Pebbles, a play about community recovery after the Sandy Hook tragedy, and interactive shows that offered audiences different endings. Upcoming events listed by students included a talent show March 28, senior-directed one-acts on April 11, an advanced touring show on April 29 and theater awards on May 9. Students also said the program expects to participate on May 16 in Village Art Day and to pursue gesture/competition awards in early May.
Board members praised the program’s community engagement and fundraising support and asked about workshop learning (for example, combat workshops to stage safe, non-contact fight choreography). Ballard and students said the program leverages community donations and booster support for sets, meals during tech week and travel to festivals.
