Twenty-four students from Albuquerque Academy’s Thespian Troupe attended the New Mexico Thespian Festival and NMAA One-Act Competition along with over 560 students from 25 other schools. They made friends with students from other schools, participated in workshops such as Dancing to Hamilton and Creating Short Films, and watched over 20 one-act plays. For 17 Chargers, this was their first time attending the festival.
Twenty-one Academy students competed in individual events known as Thespys, which included acting (solo monologues), musical theatre (solo and group performances), costume design, and stage management. Of all the Thespys adjudicated, only 25 qualified to participate in the International Festival in June. The following Academy students earned a spot.
Lilah Durbin ‘27 for Costume Design (with a perfect score, one of three in the whole state)
Lou Small ’25 for Solo Acting (monologues)
Modupe Grace Erinle ’27 for Solo Acting (monologues)
Grace Jindra ‘27 for Solo Acting (monologues)
Addie Nayback ‘25, Jamie Lujan ‘27, and Diego Chavez ‘26 for Group Musical Theatre
Nori Little ’25 for Solo Musical Theatre
Addie Nayback ‘25 for Solo Musical Theatre
August Steele ’25 for Stage Management
In addition, the students performed the student-written and directed one-act “Play On” by Lex Kelly ’24. The production placed second for stage management, sound, and lights, led by August Steele ’25 for stage management, Emrys Bendt ’26 for sound, and Ari Rosner-Salazar ’25 for lights.
The state student board consists of seven students from the 31 registered Thespian Troupes in New Mexico. After a highly influential term, August Steele is stepping off the NM Thespian Student Board later this year because he is a senior, and Lillian Geballe ’27 was elected to the board.