Arkansas
Thespians
2023/2024 Arkansas State Thespian Officers
Maggie Martin, STO Chair
Searcy High School, Troupe 340
Favorite Musical: Little Shop of Horrors
Favorite Play: Peter and the Starcatcher
Dream Role: Janis from Mean Girls
Hobbies Outside of Theatre: Laying outside reading or journaling, watching silly romcoms, and finding new music!
Advice for people wanting to apply to be STO: Don’t be afraid to ask questions or for criticism. The feedback will help you, especially for making a strong platform. And ask anyone about it! I had my friends, teachers, and even some adult tell me what good and what could be improved upon.
Advice for Festival: TALK TO EVERYONE! This is a perfect time to find new friends and create connections! Thespian Festival is full of fun and interesting people, and meeting them is the best part.
Ginny Ziegler-Secretary
Southside High School, Troupe 2620
Favorite Musical: Les Miserables or The Sound Of Music
Favorite Play: Our Town
Dream Role: Marc Antony in Julius Caesar but just the major monologue
Hobbies Outside of Theatre: painting, reading, playing video games with my family, going to the movies, and (recently) crocheting!
Advice for people wanting to apply to be STO: Be kind, be authentic, and be prepared to put in time and effort
Advice for Festival: Go in with a positive attitude, any trip is only as good as you make it, and GET ENOUGH SLEEP
Katie Brown-Fundraising Chair
Lakeside High School, Troupe 2123
Favorite Musical: Beetlejuice the Musical
Favorite Play: Little Women
Dream Role: Jo from Little Women
Hobbies Outside of Theatre: Reading romance books, listening to Taylor Swift, playing guitar, and petting my cat.
Advice for people wanting to apply to be STO: Be yourself! It’s hard to get caught up in all of the application material and platform, but remember to show everyone who you really are!
Advice for Festival: Be respectful of other students and have fun! Festival is an amazing opportunity to meet other Thespians and relate on a different level. Get out of your comfort zone and take advantage of the experience! Also, don’t forget an all-black outfit (very important).
Sarah Goodman-Media Chair
Community School of the Arts, Troupe 10124
Favorite Musicals: Parade & West Side Story
Favorite Play: Little Women
Dream Role: Miss Honey
Hobbies Outside of Theatre: Filmmaking, running, working out, and thrifting!
Advice for people wanting to apply to be STO: Know your plan! Ask yourself, why do I want to be an STO and what do I want to accomplish? Set goals for yourself and come up with a specific plan! Find something specific you want to advocate for, and be PASSIONATE about it!
Advice for Festival: Make connections! Once a year, Arkansas Thespians are invited to join TOGETHER! Thespians from all over the state gather into one location— take advantage of that! Get to know each other and build relationships! Learn about your local troupes, share advice, and help each other! Connectivity is how we’re growing Arkansas theatre programs!
Alise Whitfield-Advocacy Chair
Fayetteville High School, Troupe 717
Favorite Musical: Shrek the Musical
Favorite Play: Anything By August Wilson
Dream Role: Sebastian from Little Mermaid
Hobbies Outside of Theatre: watching movies, walking my friends dog, eating Honey Bunches of Oats
Advice for people wanting to apply to be STO: BE GENUINE. Don’t doll yourself or your application to impress anyone. If you are confident and passionate of who you are and what you’re advocating for, you will shine!!
Advice for Festival: DO EVERYTHING! You have the opportunity to do workshops ranging from jazz dance to sword fighting, where else can you do that? So have fun and make it worth your while!!
Taylor Buckholz-Candidate Chair
Russellville High School, Troupe 7260
Favorite Musical: Anastasia
Favorite Play: The Glass Menagerie
Dream Role: Millie Dillmount in thoroughly modern millie
Hobbies Outside of Theatre: Dancing, Singing, Painting, Reading, Hiking, Biking, Traveling, Playing piano and just loving on my cats!
Advice for people wanting to apply to be STO: Just work hard and advocate for something you’re truly passionate about and to spread your love for theatre everywhere you can!
Advice for Festival: HAVE FUN! Go to every workshop you can and just be yourself! Use the opportunity wisely there’s so much to learn at festival so take it ALL in while you can!!
