Senior Dominic Lopez said he thought that he would never get another chance to produce the one act “Lockdown” after it was cut from last year’s festival at Staley, but he did get a chance to produce it at the Missouri State Thespian Conference on Jan. 9-11. According to Lopez, the opportunity to produce the show was a great privilege because it was a chance for him to show what he was capable of.

“This was my chance to show the state and myself what I was of,” Lopez said. Beyond performing for a state audience, several students earned awards.

Senior Quinn Blades entered a competition at the conference, where he said the odds were against him, but the turnout was substantial. He earned one out of the four equal scholarships for which 100 Missouri thespians competed. In order to get this scholarship, Blades had to perform two contrasting monologues, one of which was comedy. One of things Blades said he enjoys when he performs is the ability to make people laugh.

“I like preforming comedy because it puts a smile on everyone’s face and I know that they’re enjoying their time,” Blades said.

The Tech Challenge Team, seniors Anna Ohmart, Lopez, Rae Ann Roberts, Christopher Skram and sophomore Zachery Fowle, earned a certificate of recognition. Senior Courtney Hittle received a certificate of accomplishment for her performance of “Pulled” from “The Addams Family.”

Some participating thespians said they didn’t expect the results.

“I did not expect to get the certificate because there was hardly any time between one acts and individual performances, leaving me with no time to warm up,” Hittle said.

Time was an obstacle during the conference for Hittle, apart from the individual obstacles faced by not only her but by many other participants in the conference. One thing that pulled both Hittle and Blades through was hard work.

“You can’t get anywhere without hard work,” Blades said.

According to Hittle even if a difficulty arises, her determination, along with hard work, will pull her through.

“I have a high level of determination that will carry me through,” said Hittle.

Through hard work and determination, these students said they have been able to express their passion in theater, which may have contributed to the success in the Missouri State Conference.