Singley Academy is celebrating a historic achievement as two of its students, Jody Gardiner and Ash Guzman, secure a place in the upcoming 2024 International Thespian Festival nationals. The duo earned their spot after an outstanding performance at the Texas Thespians State Festival.
Both Gardiner, a sophomore, and Guzman, a junior, presented portfolios showcasing their prowess in stage management within a production of their choice. Guzman elaborated on the rigorous competition process, stating, “As part of the state competition, we presented our portfolio and walked the judges through what we did as stage managers as well as what we learned during that production.”
Gardiner echoed the sentiment, sharing the initial disbelief from family members, "To be able to compete in theater, and make it to nationals, my parents could not wrap their heads around that. They got on the phone and called my entire family that same night!"
Remarkably, this marks the first year that Singley Academy theater students have advanced to the national level, a milestone celebrated by the entire school community.
Jennifer Polansky, Auditorium Manager for Irving ISD, expressed pride in the students, stating, “We’re really proud of the work these students have done. Both Jody and Ash have been leaders in our troupe, inspired others, and they are the ones that we count on to keep things going here. They are amazing at what they do.”
Gardiner and Guzman are now gearing up for the 2024 International Thespian Festival, hosted at Indiana University Bloomington from June 23 to June 28. The weeklong festival offers a unique opportunity for the students to immerse themselves in interactive workshops covering every facet of theater, from onstage to backstage and front-of-house.
Apart from learning experiences, the festival promises a diverse range of performances, including read-throughs, improv, student works, Shakespeare, one-acts, and full-scale main stage productions.
Looking ahead, Guzman aspires to pursue a career in theater, art, or the medical field, while Gardiner contemplates a future in nursing or as an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT). For now, their focus remains on savoring the joy of both onstage and backstage experiences in the world of theater.
