Tech, Tonys, and Laughter

IT MAY BE the halfway point of this year’s ITF, but Thespians show no sign of slowing down. Today, technical theatre students grabbed the spotlight in the Tech Challenge, with teams showing off their backstage know-how at five skill-testing stations. Throughout the day, troupes from Utah, Virginia, California, South Carolina, Pennsylvania, Minnesota, Kansas, Maryland, and Texas represented their states with Chapter Select and Freestyle Theatre productions.

Five-time Tony Award-winning director and choreographer Susan Stroman stopped by ITF to discuss how she handled both of those roles for the original Broadway production of The Scottsboro Boys. On the main stage, Virginia’s Rock Ridge High School presented the ITF premiere of the Bright Star school edition, while Thespians from Kansas’ McPherson High School brought the laughter with their performance of Noises Off. Those laughs continued into the night at the Improv Challenge, hosted by Mike Rock, company member of Improv L.A. and past national president of ComedySportz. As the evening ended, visions of red — or rather, red costumes — filled the dance floor.