Lakeside HS student becomes school’s first state thespian officer
Addison Dowdy, a junior at Lakeside High School, was selected as the school’s first state thespian officer at the first virtual Arkansas State Thespian Festival.
“To be the first-ever Lakeside state thespian officer is such a cool experience. I’m so excited to represent Lakeside thespians because we have evolved so much in the past five years as a group. I’m just so blessed and so excited to see what this year upholds,” Dowdy said.
The candidates went through a process of multiple interviews, which started in November. From there, around 30 students sent in an essay and a video submission. The festival committee then condensed it down to only a few candidates.
They had another interview through Zoom, during which the
committee asked the candidates about their platform and what they would do as a state thespian officer. They had another Zoom interview, which lasted for two hours, with about 60 thespians students from across Arkansas.
Out of the nine students left to give their speeches, only six were selected.
“My platform is to create advocacy for Arkansas thespians statewide as well as bringing networking opportunities and creating relationships within the thespians,” Dowdy said.
“So for example, if the Robinson (Center) is having a show, we can have thespians come and be ushers. They’re not only learning about the business side and getting to have network opportunities, but they’re also getting great friendships across the state,” she said.
Being a thespian officer means a lot to Dowdy because she has been immersed in theater her whole life.
“Theater takes such a big role in my life. I can’t imagine me not singing or dancing ever. Being elected as a state officer representing Arkansas is such a big importance, and I am so excited,” Dowdy said.
As an Arkansas state thespian, Dowdy is in charge of hosting festivals, and will also be in charge of advocating and networking her platforms, as well.
“I know one of my friends; they have their own nonprofit organization … and they get to raise money for Arkansas thespians and for theater as well,” Dowdy said. “We each get the opportunity to be able to network and spread the awareness of Arkansas Thespians throughout Arkansas.”
She said that theater is important now more than ever, especially in Arkansas, because theater not only is a great way for students to be able to represent themselves emotionally, but it’s also statistically shown that students in theater excel better and classrooms.
“They get to learn leadership skills that will excel them throughout their lifetime,” Dowdy said.
“From theater, I’ve not only gained confidence on stage and public speaking, but I’ve also gained communication skills, leadership skills, teamwork skills. Theater is not as important as a way to get on stage and express your motion, but it also can teach you lifelong skills,” she said.
The Arkansas State Thespian Society is affiliated with the Educational Theatre Association and the International Thespian Society, according to the Arkansas Thespians website.
AR EdTA is a nonprofit, tax-exempt honorary organization for high school theater students. The society is “committed to the advancement of educational theatre, sponsors the Arkansas State Thespian Festival and theatre workshops, and provides college scholarship opportunities for students,” the website said.