LoftPAC

These LoftPAC officers recall their top memories from the 2015 Thespian Conference and other worthy moments from this year in ERHS theater:

	First, being an STO for the first/last time at Conference was so incredible and amazing, and I loved every minute of it!  Second, seeing the success of all of the Lofties in their NIES events!!! Way to represent!!!! And finally, hearing about everyone’s fun experiences at all the cool workshops they went to!
	It was so amazing watching and listening to all of the NIES performances!! I loved being able to see all of the immense talent represented by so many Minnesota high schools; everyone was very professional as well.  I also loved attending the All-State show because all of the students in the performance were so so talented and into the performance, and all of the other students in the audience were so supportive of the cast. It was so cool to see the excitement bubbling inside of everyone before the doors were opened to the theater as well.
	I wasn’t able to go to the Thespian Conference, but my favorite moment this theater season has to be the jam sessions in the makeup rooms before performances. Everybody just seems to bond over Beyoncé.  Another favorite moment this year was when we all went as a cast to see Into The Woods. My car may have almost gotten lost, but seeing a movie and being able to compare it to what we made was amazing.  Finally, reasons I love the LOFT: everybody is a family. You have the weird uncles, the cousins you are best friends with, and the grandparents that care that you eat enough food! All kidding aside, everyone matters in he group and everybody feels like they belong. I love this place—it’s my second home.
	My favorite moment from the Thespian Conference was performing in Spring Awakening! My second favorite was showing (and bragging a little) about East Ridge and our theater program to the other members of the conference!
	My two favorite memories of the Thespian Conference:  First, watching a fantastic performance by Maggie and the cast of Spring Awakening! Second, everyone who participated in NIES were outstanding and were all winners!

We have some VERY last minute confirmations of events for this month—sorry for the short notice!

FRIDAY February 20 – Illusion Masterclass with illusionist from Oliver! (finished in time for you to Student Rush the show afterwards!)
Oliver Illusion Masterclass
SUNDAY February 22 – Acrobatics Masterclass with Twin Cities Trapeze focusing on Pippin

Pippin Trapeze Masterclass

SATURDAY February 28 – Technical Theatre Day with Rick Polenek (sound designer), Alex Ritter (scenic designer), Adriane Heflin (Technical Director) and Steve Olson (Pantages Operations Coordinator). Attendees MUST have ticket to the show!

Oliver Tech Theatre Day

East Ridge hosted the first day of the MN Thespian Conference this weekend and District #833 students walked away with a number of accolades of which to be proud.
In the National Individual Events Showcase, students who were rated “Accomplished” earned an invitation to the International Thespian Conference in Lincoln, Nebraska this summer.
East Ridge had eleven of fifteen entries earn an Accomplished rating:
Garrett Hildebrandt-Solo Musical
Garrett Hildebrandt-Monologue
Anna Reimann and Abby Winston-Musical Duet
Anna Reimann-Solo Musical
Abby Winston- Solo Musical
Christina Ippoliti-Solo Musical
Kaylee Cates-Solo Musical
Maggie Eckberg-Solo Musical
Quintin Walker-Solo Musical
Thomas Sullivan-Monologue
Mark May-Monologue

On Saturday night, East Ridge’s Maggie Eckberg performed in the All-State Show, Spring Awakening, and Ben McKenzie, Rose Larson, Alec McCoy, Colleen Jensen, Jenna Kotz, Kira Bauman and Alyssa Thome served as the technical crew. On Monday, East Ridge’s Garrett Hildebrandt was given the honor to perform his solo selection, Stars from Les Miserables, at the awards ceremony at the Guthrie.

In the Tech Challenge, the PHS and ERHS teams did very well with PHS tying for third place and ERHS finishing in second place led by the first place finish of Ben McKenzie in the Cable Coil.

Park High School also had three students earn an Accomplished rating in NIES.
MaiDer Chang-Monologue
Ryan Zako-Monologue
Melody Armstrong-Monologue

Woodbury High School attended the conference for the first time with Elena Cressy and Molly Roche representing their theater program.

Brendan Finn, last seen as The Baker in the Loft Stage’s production of Into the Woods will open this weekend in Aladdin Jr at the Phipps Center for the Arts. Starring as the Sultan, Brendan loves the score featuring all of your favorites from the Disney film. The show is for children of all ages and runs from Feb. 13-March 1. For more information, visit: thephipps,org.