Hello Thespians!

I certainly hope that your school year is off to an advantageous start. I was thinking today about how cool thespian points are. Hear me out. There are hundreds of thousands of us out there. Each and every one of us has at least ten points, or 100 hours of quality theatre service. Do you realize how cool that is? How much work we all have done? Maybe that's just me, I am a little odd, but it is super nifty.

My year is certainly off to a roaring start. I am taking a calculus course at Grinnell College which is proving to be harder than I thought. But, on the plus side, I am feeling very good about theatre. Let's be real, that's all that counts. Theatre is the one thing in life that gives me a sense of purpose. I am fine being a complete failure in calculus so long as I am at home on stage.

We have started rehearsal for our fall show, Neil Coward's “Blithe Spirit.” This may be the most talented cast I have had the privilege to work with; they are overly energetic and deliver emotionally honest performances. I am thoroughly convinced that high school actors are consistently underrated by outside critics. We are great.

A week from today I will be in NYC with the ITO. Sort of sounds like a nice TV show, “NYC with the ITO.” I would watch it. We are going to have a great meeting in the Broadway Cares Equity Fights Aids offices. I am even more excited this year than I was last. The ITO this year are innovative and full of energy; they'll do a great job.

My parting request for y'all is directly related to our NYC trip. In New York we will be discussing dance themes for upcoming International Thespian Festival, and I would like your input. Let me know if you would like any sort of specific theme. I was thinking like a “Rainbow Rave” but we need lots of ideas! Let me know at facebook.com/johnstarky.

Lots of Theatre Love,

~John~