Meet the 2019-20 International Thespian Officers

ON JUNE 29, six new International Thespian Officers were elected: Spencer Angell of Troupe 639 of Salina (Kan.) Central H.S., Nic Fallacaro of Troupe 830 at Pennsbury H.S. (Fairless Hills, Pa.), ITO Chair Anna Hastings of Troupe 5006 at Olathe (Kan.) South H.S., Keith Peacock of Troupe 5297 at Lee County H.S. (Leesburg, Ga.), Abby Stuckrath of Troupe 5869 at Denver (Colo.) School of the Arts, and Maura Toole of Troupe 7993 at Grimsley H.S. (Greensboro, N.C.)

To get to know them better, we asked the ITO four questions.

If you had one piece of advice to share with chapter leaders that would make their student leadership program strong and healthy, what would it be?
What is your favorite role you’ve ever played at your school’s theatre?
What song have you completely memorized?
What job do you think you’d be really good at?

Abby Stuckrath

Trust and encourage your students to take risks and fail. We learn the most when you trust us with more responsibilities.
Olive in The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. I did this show for almost a year, and it was the show in which I grew the most as an actor and as a person.
I have the complete Waitress musical soundtrack memorized. It will be ingrained in my memory forever.
One dream job, and one I think I would be successful in, is Peace Corp volunteer.

Anna Hastings

Allow your student leaders to make decisions. Letting them choose things like festival T-shirt colors or the fundraisers you do are great ways to let your students know you trust them, and it encourages them to be creative and share their ideas.
Playing Mary Warren in The Crucible challenged me to explore a character in more depth than ever before.
I have every word of “What I Did For Love” from A Chorus Line memorized.
If professional reader or professional roller coaster rider were real occupations, I think I would excel in both fields. More seriously, I think I would be a good dance teacher and coach.

Keith Peacock

My advice to adults would be to listen to their students and facilitate the change the students want.
My favorite role I’ve ever played was Black Stache in Peter and the Starcatcher.
I have quite a few songs completely memorized but my proudest accomplishment has to be “The Museum Song” from Barnum.
I feel I would make either a great voice actor or wildlife biologist/conservationist.

Maura Toole

Students thrive when we are given the opportunity to take on responsibility and express our creativity in solving problems. Let this happen, and the results can be incredible.
I adored being in the ensemble of 21 Chump Street because I learned so much about the value of being part of a great team to put on a fantastic show together.
I know the words to the entire soundtrack of Come From Away, my favorite musical of all time.
I have a passion for education and want to be a great university professor because I have been shaped by so many amazing teachers and want to do this for other students.

Nic Fallacaro

Stay super organized and make it digital if possible. Being able to have an archive of the past makes things a lot easier for students of the future.
Ren McCormack from Footloose. I loved the challenge the show provided through singing, dancing, and acting.
“Sante Fe” from Newsies. I love Newsies so much that I sing this song on every single car ride.
I think I’d do well as a lawyer. I really like the preparation and planning phases of events, so I think I’d do well planning for trials.

Spencer Angell

My advice would be to have enough faith in your student leaders to allow them to do big things.
Troy Bolton from High School Musical. I used to play basketball, so it was a fun collision of my two worlds.
“Live Wire” by Motley Crue.
I would be an excellent stock broker. I am good with numbers.