Whether you’re learning how to perform stage combat or fall dramatically, the annual Thespian Conference has something for every theater kid to enjoy. Every year, one school in Arkansas hosts the state Thespian Festival, a competition and learning opportunity for advanced theater students to step outside their comfort zone. Members of Rogers Troop 338 eagerly look forward to the conference every year. However, it takes a lot of preparation for students to even be allowed to attend and compete.
“The process itself isn’t too difficult but there’s a lot of steps you have to get in sequential order before you can even start,” said Rory Younkin, 11. Between deciding what piece to perform, rehearsing, and recording the piece, there’s a lot that needs to be considered. “You have to be in all black, there has to be a set frame, you can’t have anything excess in your frame, and you get one chair.”
Once students make it to the conference, the fun begins. Outside of the competitions, there are dozens of classes taught by professionals for students to take. This way, even those who aren’t ready to compete can still participate and have a good time. For the 2025 conference, students had the option to learn stage combat, fake falling, juggling, stage make-up, designing, and much more, said Diana Aguilar, 11.
Once results are in and everyone has performed their piece, the troop can all group together to hear the results. During the 2025 conference, the group musical performance was showcased and Troop 338 received multiple Superior ratings, which is the highest rating possible. This year, Edwin Garcia, 10, and Bella Hale, 10, will be able to compete at the conference with their superior duet musical.
“It’s just pure joy to know that everyone’s work paid off and we are so happy for each other. Being able to see what other groups bring and seeing a good show. I get excited and inspired when I see the work other people are doing,” said Melissa Minton, theater teacher.
The Thespian Festival isn’t just an opportunity for students to learn from classes and perform, they’re also able to witness professionals in person. At the end of the conference, thespians get to watch many showcase performances and see how they could improve in the future.
“It definitely opened my horizons to what I thought was possible with theater. I thought of really big scenes you could see in a movie, when they’re jumping around and everything is chaotic; I didn’t know you could do that in theater and still have a cohesive scene,” Younkin said.
