Babylon High Students Attend Workshops with Theatre Masters

Babylon High School students and budding theatre enthusiasts Arianna Collica, Logan Middleton and Julia O'Handley recently had the chance to learn about the many aspects of the theatre world when they attended this year’s New York State Theatre Education Association’s Student Conference.

During the weekend program, the students had the chance to attend workshops given by colleges, universities and other theatre professionals, as well as network with approximately 800 high school students from throughout New York State. The students received expert instruction in technical theatre, acting, dance and voice at the workshops. In addition, Julia and Logan performed “Almost Paradise” from this year’s school musical, “Footloose,” at the festival of student performances.

Lisa Drance, English teacher and theatre director at Babylon High School, served as a presenter at the conference. Ms. Drance taught a workshop on monologue adjudications. She also serves on the NYSTEA’s adjudication team, advocacy committee and curriculum committee.

At the end of the conference, for the first year, the NYSTEA awarded student memberships to those in attendance.

Babylon students have participated in the conference for 14 years. Babylon alumni who have attended NYSTEA’s Student Conference are pursuing careers in performance or technical theatre. They have attended or are attending The Hartt School, Ithaca College, Mt. Clair College, SUNY Purchase and Wagner College. 

Info/photo courtesy of Syntax