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Why were we established?
In 2002 when the Pennsbury Thespian Troupes from PHS East, PHS West and Charles Boehm were
selected to perform the musical Blood Brothers at the International Thespian Festival in Nebraska, a handful of parents founded
the Pennsbury Drama Parents (PDP) Organization in order to raise monies to help our thespians travel to Nebraska, complete
with costumes, sets, musicians, instruments, props and more.
What is our mission today?
PDP Organization provides all involved students
with exceptional theatre opportunities, and to maintain a standard of excellence in the quality of productions and other activities
of the Thespian Troupes.
How do we do that?
Since our inception,
we have done continuous fundraising activities. We sell refreshments and flowers at all theatre events. Every year we host
at least one major fundraiser along with other ongoing fundraisers.
How much theatre does
PHS do?
Each year, students at East and West perform two full-length dramas and two full-length
musicals. Each middle school also performs one musical. In addition, high school thespians perform a Dessert Theater
and Thespian Induction Ceremony. This is a great opportunity for any thespian to take the spotlight and perform a musical
number or scene. Afterwards, everyone is treated to an array of desserts and beverages, and new student inductees are awarded
membership.
Also, each year, high school thespians participate in the Bucks County Theatre Festival
in New Hope, PA at the Bucks County Playhouse, where they will perform several small ensemble dramas before select theatre
professionals critique and award Best Actor/Actress/Director awards and also Excellence in Performance Awards. PHS brings
home numerous awards on an annual basis!
How Does your child become a PHS Thespian?
Students become Thespians by first expressing a desire and attending the student meetings at PHS.
These meetings give all the information they will need in order to become a thespian, by earning the required amount of points,
either through performing, stage crew or by volunteering for theatre related activities.
Why
should your child be a part of the State and International Thespian Society?
Both the State
and International Thespian Society are professional organizations that serve to enhance and enrich our students'lives, setting
the highest level of quality and standards of high school performance. Each year our thespians travel to the 3 day PA State
Thespian Conference where they meet thespians from all over PA. While there, our students perform several group musical numbers
selected and choreographed by the individual student groups. There are also one-act plays performed by our students. Opportunities
abound for students to audition and be selected to perform an individual event, which can be anything from a solo, duet, monologue,
ensemble short scene, and other forms of theatre. Senior thespians also have the opportunity to audition for scholarships.
In the last few years PHS graduates have taken home several of these scholarships ranging for $100 to $500.
Also, at the conclusion of each school year, our students travel to Lincoln, NE to participate in
the International Thespian Festival put on by the Educational Theatre Association (EDTA). Thousands of students from around
the world participate in this weeklong event. While in Nebraska, students can choose from a variety of workshops including
dance, audition, stage make-up, etc. Theatre faculty from more than thirty theatre colleges attend the ITF and audition junior
thespians for possible admittance into their theatre programs. Once more, senior thespians planning to major in performance
or technical theatre can audition or present portfolios for the EDTA $1,500 scholarship. Again, in th past PHS seniors have
won this scholarship.
Why we need your help?
As with any volunteer
organization, there are always small and large jobs that need to be done. For some, we may need parents to take on a leadership
role. For others, we need just a few hours of your time here and there, usually when there is a performance at one of the
schools. Whatever amount of time you can contribute will have a profound impact on our organization and on each and every
child passionate about theater. Please, take the time to help our during the school year. Our thespians deserve our support!
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