Drama, theater and acting — all subjects important and popular to the youth of Kansas. 

That popularity extends to the annual Thespian State Festival. This festival Jan. 5-7 in Wichita included almost 1,600 student attendees from all around the state of Kansas, eight coming from Manhattan High’s Thespian Troupe.

Seniors Lesley Sullivan, Olivia Payne, Antonio Belin, Elizabeth Bean, Molly Swistek and Parker Freeby and juniors Evie Dye and Naomi Eberle were among the students who choose from over 200 conference events, some watching plays and some competitions. 

Three MHS students competed in individual events. Sullivan received an Excellent rating in Monologues, Swistek received an Excellent rating in Costume Design, and Payne received a Superior rating in Solo Musical Theatre and qualified to attend the International Thespian Festival this summer. 

“We got the Gold Troupe Rank which is the highest rank a Troupe can get,” Sullivan said.

Next up Thespians members will be part of the Performing Arts department production of “Mean Girls.”