Fresh off national awards, Topeka West theater troupe prepares for 60th season

At about 3:15 p.m. every weekday at Topeka West High School, minutes after the classes stop and other kids have gone on home, a few dozen theater geeks congregate for managed chaos in the school's small auditorium.

Drills scream and saws rumble as student actors — themselves, at times, yelling over the roar of the stagecrafting process — rehearse their lines and mime their scenes.

It's a sweaty affair, especially when the students practice any of their combat choreography. It's also pressure mounting as the actors, stagehands, technicians and directors spend hours each week polishing their performances into opening night gems, repeating this process several times throughout the school year.

But the kids in International Thespian Society Troupe 3061 wouldn't have it any other way.

Heading into the program's 60th season at Topeka West, the group of students and their theater teachers are looking to continue the momentum they maintained even during the past two years of pandemic-era performances.

And for their shared passion for theater and working with each other, the troupe was recently recognized with two national awards.

Topeka West theater troupe recognized for quality and advocacy

In July, the Educational Theatre Association named Topeka West's thespian troupe as the recipient of two of its national awards.

Topeka West was the sole recipient of the organization's Outstanding School Award, given to schools with programs that "exemplify and promote high standards in educational theatre."

Even during COVID, when many school activities were either put on hold or saw diminished student interest, the Topeka West program maintained high levels of student participation. This year, the school will even expand its theater class offerings after high student demand, said assistant theater director and troupe sponsor Katie Murphy.

The program was also recognized as one of four schools awarded the Outstanding Impact Award for its advocacy during EdTA's Theatre In Our Schools Month. Students from the troupe worked with other clubs and organizations at Topeka West to promote theater education in March.

The troupe even visited the Kansas Statehouse to talk with legislators on the importance of theater education and programs in the state's schools.

At a preparation day ahead of the school year and theater season on Monday, officers with the troupe reflected on the success they've collectively had as a program.

Each had different reasons for joining, but they said in the school's theater program, they had found a family.

"I moved around a lot, and it was the first place I could feel at home, no matter where I was at," said Phoebe Edgerton-Kufahl, the sophomore secretary for the troupe. "Even if it was a different theater program, I could still be with people who had similar experiences to me. It’s very cheesy, but telling stories has been the greatest opportunity to connect with and meet people."

Topeka West's theater season will feature 'Everyone,' 'Sister Act,' more

The troupe already has most of its 2022-23 season planned out. The fall mainstage show will be "Everybody," a modern adaptation of "Everyman," a 15th century play that is one of the first to ever be written down. Later on in the year, the troupe will perform "Sister Act" as its musical performance.

The students and directors are still determining the players' show and senior show later in the spring, but other smaller productions like improv shows and a New Face showcase, in which students will have the chance to demonstrate their talents, will take place throughout the year.

With one of the national awards the program won, the troupe will have the opportunity to produce a Disney play, which are usually cost-prohibitive for schools to license. That play probably won't take place this school year, however, since the program had already lined up most of its productions.

Each of the students will contribute something different to the productions, and troupe officers like junior and outreach officer Hannah Allen emphasized that the program is "a safe and open place for everyone" that always pushes camaraderie.

"It’s amazing to see how even though we don’t have much in common, we all have a common interest in this art form — that through our mutual hard work, we can create this grandiose thing," said Charlie White, the junior vice president of the troupe.

"After COVID the last few years, when we really had to focus on recruiting, now we can focus more on building more camaraderie between ourselves and the theater departments from other schools," said Tristen Taylor, a senior and president of the troupe.

Murphy, the theater teacher and troupe sponsor, said all of the students are excited for the shows they have planned for the program's 60th season.

"These are fabulous kids — some of the best I’ve ever gotten to work with — and they’re so open-minded and willing to put themselves out there," she said, "and we hope the community will respond by coming out to support them."

Rafael Garcia is an education reporter for the Topeka Capital-Journal. He can be reached at rgarcia@cjonline.com or by phone at ‪785-289-5325‬. Follow him on Twitter at @byRafaelGarcia.

This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: Topeka West High School theater troupe wins national awards