This is my first blog as your International Thespian Officer Region 3 Representative! Ah! It's exciting!! I really can't put into words how much this position means to me. I feel so honored that I get to stand up here and be a voice for all of you thespians! Speaking of thespians.... did any of you attend the International Festival 2011? I was there with some of my favorite people (The GA State Student Officers), and it was one of the best weeks of my life. There are so many opportunities for you as a thespian at International! College Auditions, I.E.'s, about a million workshops, dances, leadership workshops, and shows are just a few of these awesome things!

Stop. Freeze. Everybody clap yo han.... ok let's talk about these thespian dances! There were four dances at International (Character bash, Broadway Cares/Equity Fights Aids dance, Blast from the Past dance, and Futureistic Formal), and everyone get's really into it and dresses up! If you want to see pictures, go on my facebook and look em up! They'll be there somewhere! I went as "where's waldo" for the character bash alongside Michael Jackson, Juneie B Jones, Katy Petty, Superman, Rachel Berry, and Edward from Twilight. If you attend next year, be sure to go all out! We also saw lots of awesome shows! The quality of the shows was spectacular! It didn't even feel like it was high school theatre. Some of the ones that pop into my head were Avenue Q, The Drowsy Chaperone, and of course those mighty Starmites! If you went, what was your favorite show/dance?! Since I was only a sophomore I was not able to do college auditions or scholarships, but I am this year! If you are able to participate in these areas, I highly suggest you take advantage of it! Due to conflicts with running for ITO, I was unable to see I.E auditions (I did see the selected ones in a showcase though!). Rosa Karina Campos (one of my awesome Georgia thespians) went to International for her I.E. performing Astonishing from Little Women. She is an incredible talent and person, and I only wish I got to see her perform again! The leadership workshop took place every morning, and it was run by the International Thespian Officers. Throughout the week you learned some important training on leadership. You will take the lessons back with you and be able to implement them into your life. The leadership workshop also serves as the way next year's ITO get elected. All of the ITO candidates gave speeches, and on Friday it was announced that I am one of your 2011-2012 ITO! It was very nerve-racking, but an incredible experience! If you are able to attend International, you really need to. It is such an indescribable memory that I'll cherish forever!

Now to Chase's life! I recently auditioned and got cast in our Advanced Drama 2 Show (which will be Almost, Maine this year!!!). I'm performing in two of the scenes: "Her Heart" and "Story of Hope". This play is awesome, and I can't wait to perform it alongside some of my best friends! Cool story: The new Superintendent of my county is friends with the man who wrote the play!! He's never seen the show before, but will be attending our production in October! Wish me luck! What show's are you guys doing this year!? In exactly one week, I will be reunited with the other GA State officers! I've missed them very much!!! Austin, Spencer, Isaac, Rachel, Kaylee, and Caitlyn are some of the most awesome people I've ever met, and I feel so privileged to be working with them. We all have very different personalities, but we all click together. It was truly a leadership year that was written in the stars :D insert corny joke! The GA SSO's will get that! Sorry for making this an inside joke thing... now it's kinda awkward... moving on! I ALSO miss my unbelievable ITO!!! We get to see each other in September when we go to NYC for our first meeting! I'm beyond excited to work and see them all again!

Hope you all are doing well! Please feel free to facebook me sometime! I want to hear all about your thespian stuff!!

Till then,
Chase Thomaston :D