By Kayla Martinez
Entertainment Editor
Until the 2015-2016 school year, James Logan’s drama club has been limited to a club secluded within the Performing Arts building that nobody but its members could relate to or take interest in. The club’s entirety consisted of scripted and improvisational acting, and about twenty students made up its populace.
International Thespian Society is now at James Logan, a place some of the most known Hollywood and Broadway actors were raised to improve their craft. Robert Richardson, the acting teacher and club advisor claimed, “Full-fledged members become [part of] the same club that Steven Spielberg has belonged to, that Tom Hanks has belonged to.”
Theatre teacher Robert Richardson came up with this change in mind last school year, although the change in the club’s dimensions and title was not fulfilled. “I came in with an idea of what the club would ultimately become and handed it over to the students to help them make it become that in their own way,” he said.
In June 2015, it was sure that the International Thespian Society would be a part of Logan, as well as thousands of other schools. Four officers were elected by current club members, and met several times over the summer to plan and shape what their Thespian Troupe would become.
According to the International Thespian Society homepage, over 2 million members have registered since 1929. Each student joins and attends weekly meetings to improve their acting skills and broaden their knowledge of all things theatre.
While Logan’s original drama club only amounted to acting, the Thespian Society is comprised of theatre tech, dance, vocals, scripted and improvisational acting, and anything else a theatre lover could think of.
“It definitely gives an opportunity for those who don’t have an opportunity to participate in theatre, in the art form, a chance to participate, a chance to get to know it, to have fun with it,” Richardson said.
So why should the rest of Logan be interested in this new club?
ITS’s officers and members had multiple reasons why. “We bring a lot to the table that people don’t understand,” said junior Jallen Estimo, one of the current Improv Captains. “It improves [the school’s] reputation. I’ve heard from other schools, ‘Isn’t Logan’s drama department really good?’”
Erik Matibag, a sophomore in his second year with the theatre department, agreed. “I know a lot of people that could be really shy about presenting themselves in they way they actually are, and they try too hard to fit in. When you’re over in ITS, we encourage all the students to let loose and be themselves.” He explained that while people at the school tend to be reserved, International Thespian Society gives them a way to come out of their shells.
The Thespian Society’s president, Nina Pamintuan, said, “Acting isn’t just about going onstage and being funny or being serious. It’s about taking your own experiences, applying them, and doing justice to these stories. And that way you find out so much more about yourself, and you grow with the people you’re connected to while you’re telling that story.” She feels that ITS teaches performers the difference between these points of view.
The club is also more organized than last year. “It’s growing to the point where we’re getting much more mature in [our acting] roles,” said junior Alexa Felix, a new member to the club. “[The officers] can keep each other in check, on focus and organized. If there was only one person, that person could easily go off track and not be a good leader and just be a boss. I feel like the program is growing immensely.”
Felix said she does not plan on going into theatre as a career, but attends the club for simple interest. “I didn’t know about it for my first two years, until my brother did Improv and drama. He was really good! He turned out funny and outgoing, and I wanted to be like him,” she clarified.
The club is planning on attending the Ohlone Theatre Festival in March, bringing in specialists to teach classes pertaining to different aspects of theatre, and joining with other clubs both in the school and the bay area for more ideas. These events were planned along with Logan’s usual Fall Play, Spring Musical, Improv Shows and One Acts. The club is also planning to attend the Oregon Shakespeare Festival in the spring.
International Thespian Society meets every Wednesday in Room 722, upstairs in the Center of the Performing Arts, after school.
