Thestfest/Stanj

By Shannon Flanagan

Thestfest is a festival for the ''Thespians.'' Thespians are related to drama and the theater. They throw a feast for the drama people and call it a ''Thestfest'' because part of the word ''Thespian'' is in ''Thestfest'' and it's a fest. Thespian is actually a fancy word for an actor. Many high school drama clubs offer Thespian status to club members to earn a certain amount of points by acting in shows or working on backstage tech for them. Thespian is sometimes capitalized because it is taken from a person's name. But the reason why actors and actresses are called ''Thespians'' is because it is in honor of Thepsis, a Greek performer and playwright. Around the year of 535 BC, Thepsis added a new dimension to drama by stepping out of the Greek chorus during a performance and reciting portions of the text alone, becoming the very first actor.

Stanj is an acronym and it stands for ''Speech and Theater Association of New Jersey.'' It has supported speech and theater arts in education curricula since 1960. They have put state and national advocacy strategies into effect and also helped to recognize, develop, and promote the importance of teacher certification in speech and theater. Thestfest stanj is a drama club and organization that supports the study and teaching of communication and theater arts. They also encourage innovative methods of teaching speech and theater. As an NJEA affiliate, the association includes volunteer members from kindergarten through 12th grade, college, and professional theater who are passionate about theater education. They greet members to help foster change and growth. Members are encouraged to attend monthly PD workshops and presentations at the NJEA Convention. Their students may participate in the Governor's Awards Theater competition in the areas of monologues, scenes, improvisation, musical theater, stage management, VPA, character analysis, pantomime, Shakespeare, communication media arts, best play, and musical. First place winners in categories are honored with a Governor's award at a ceremony held in Trenton. Two college theater scholarships are also offered.