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Emporia High theater students chosen for International Thespian Festival; troupe nears $30,000 fundraising goal
Summary
Emporia High School theater director Amanda Ballard and two senior leaders highlighted recent productions, community outreach and that the troupe was selected as one of 12 schools nationally to perform at the International Thespian Festival; Ballard reported a $10,000 donation from the Hopkins Foundation and said the troupe is close to a $30,000 fundraising target to attend ITF.
Amanda Ballard, theater director at Emporia High School, told the Emporia Board of Education that the school's theater program has earned state recognition and a rare spot at this year’s International Thespian Festival.
Ballard said students performed a production in September, submitted a video to the Kansas Thespian Festival, and were among 12 U.S. schools selected for ITF—the first time in the high school's history the troupe qualified. Seniors Lexi Eubanks and Maggie Anderson summarized recent and upcoming work: a benefit performance on June 6 (freewill donation), senior-directed one-acts on April 17, and a children’s one-act for elementary schools on April 29–30.
Ballard told the board the troupe runs several fundraisers and has raised significant sums for travel and festival fees, reporting she received a $10,000 check from the Hopkins Foundation and that the group is “right on target to reach our $30,000.” She thanked the board for covering half of the students’ registration fee and described theater as a vehicle to engage students and the community. Student leaders also described productions addressing veteran experiences and teen dating violence, and the department’s broad student involvement—more than 100 students participated this year.
The board and members applauded the students’ accomplishments; board member Leslie Cely reminded the audience about an upcoming breakfast fundraiser at the American Legion. Ballard said the program raised $900 at a Granada Theater performance and more than $3,000 during another event earmarked to support students attending ITF.
The presentation concluded with district appreciation for the theater department’s community outreach and student leadership; no board action was required.
