Goodrich-The motto of the International Thespian Societ is ? Act well your parts. There all the honor lies.?
At Saturday’s ITS installation and induction ceremony, 20 Goodrich High School students were honored for their ability to do just that.
They are now the charter members of ITS at Goodrich High School’the first to be honored at the society’s May 13 installement at the school.
Steve Mitchell, head of the GHS theater department, said he has long felt the need to bring ITS into the high school.
Mitchell said he initially wanted to install the ITS troupe two years ago, but was unable to because of budget problems.
‘I really wanted to do this for them,? said Mitchell. ‘I took the initive and said ‘alright, I’m going to do it.?
The International Thespian Society is as highly recognized as the National Honor Society, said Mitchell.
Candidates must have contributed 100 hours of outstanding service in theater to be eligible for induction into the society.
Mitchell added the stipulation that students must have partcipated in a minimum of two shows for eligibility, in order to show a dedication to the art.
After reviewing programs from the past four shows at GHS, Mitchell selected 20 students from the approximatly 100 involved with theater at the school.
Mitchell said ITS offers a chance at recognition to students involved with theater that would otherwise not be provided to them.
With theater ‘everybody can assemble and you don’t have to be a great athelete or exceptionally book smart’it gives people a chance to have something to be proud of,? said Mitchell. ‘It’s a way for students who might otherwise get lost in the shuffle to get recognition.?
Ultimatly, Mitchell said the theater and ITS programs are a way of ‘getting kids passionate about something,? said Mitchell.
The lessons learned on the stage are ones Mitchell and some students feel are important to life long after the curtain call.
‘I learned a lot about working with different people,? said inductee Anneliese Goetz, a sophomore. ‘You know for the sake of the show you’re going to have to put up with it.?
Jessica York, a junior, agreed. ‘I’ve learned to be more patient and understanding with different types of people and different personalities. It’s rounded me out to be a more easy going person,? said York.
Mitchell has placed a premium on quality with his students performances.
‘I set out to kind of shatter the perception that just because it’s high school it’s unprofessional,? said Mitchell.?
‘It’s not just something fun to do,? said Mitchell. ‘Students are learning to produce professional quality plays and a variety of valuable life skills.?
Mitchell said those skills include an increase in self awareness and self confidence, as well as improved public speaking and an increased ability to tap into their own creativity.
Several students expressed appreciation at the recognition they recieved with induction.
‘A lot of people put their heart and soul into (the theater department) ,’said Goetz.
‘I’m pretty optimistic about it,? said York. ‘It’s really nice to see people recieving credit for what they have done.?