Iowa State Thespian Officers
The members of the Iowa Thespian Student Board represent all Thespians in the State of Iowa as the student leaders of the Iowa Thespian Chapter Board. The State Thespian Officers are selected at the Iowa Thespian Festival, and members serve from November to November. Activities include:
- Attending monthly Iowa Thespian Chapter Board meetings
- Attending the International Thespian Festival and participating in leadership workshops
- Conducting leadership workshops at the State Festival
- Organizing and implementing ideas for the Iowa State Thespian Festival
- Communicating with other students through various outlets, including social media
- Promoting the work of the International Thespian Society and Iowa Thespians
If you are interested in applying to be a
State Thespian Officer Candidate, click here for details.
Meet the 2020 State Thespian Officers:
Luis Avalos - STO Chair
Troupe #1038
Luis Avalos is delighted to return to the Iowa Thespians Chapter Board, serving as the STO chair this year! He is a junior at South Tama is a proud member of Troupe #1038, serving as the Vice President. His theatre journey began when he was nine years old and he was offered the opportunity to be a part of a week long theatre camp (he played a jester)! After that experience, Luis’ love for theatre and fine arts blossomed. Some of his favorite roles include Oliver “Daddy” Warbucks in Annie, Jean-Michele in Cinderella, Ed in Defying Gravity, and Garry Lejeune in Noises Off! Besides theatre, Luis also participates in Large Group Speech, Individual Speech, Concert Band, Jazz Band, Pep Band, Marching Band, Community Band, Concert Choir, Black Hawk Youth Choir, Student Council, TRIO, Track, and National Honor Society,. He hopes to meet new people from all backgrounds, reach out to new communities, and represent and advocate for Thespians to the best of his ability! He wants all Thespians to know that he will always be a person that you can talk to, and is thrilled to interact with Thespians this year! :)
STO Email: iastochair@gmail.com
Instagram: @luisss.avalosss
Twitter: @luisavalos_04
Snapchat: @luisavalos_04
Olivia Mick - Special Projects
Troupe # 4274
Olivia Mick is so excited to serve as the 2021 Iowa Special Projects STO! Olivia is a proud member of Troupe #4274 at Grinnell High School. She has been involved with theater since she was in third grade. Some of her favorite roles include Belle (Beauty and the Beast), Lucy/Kitty (Dracula: A Comedy of Terrors), and Flight Attendant (The Addams Family Musical). When she is not on stage (or behind the scenes), Olivia participates in Concert Choir, Variety Show Choir, Concert Band, Marching Band, Jazz Band, Individual and Large Group Speech, Senior Showcase, and volunteers at her middle school's Drama Club. In her free time, Olivia loves to sing, play her musical instruments, and watch her favorite movies/TV shows. She is extremely thankful for all of the friendships, opportunities, and knowledge that theatre has given her. She is also extremely thankful for her friends, family, and school troupe for being so supportive of her theatre and leadership endeavors. Olivia is so excited to meet thespians from all across the state and to represent and advocate for Iowa Thespians and the Theater Community. She hopes to inspire Thespians to continue to participate and try new things in theater. She is looking forward to a great year working on the 2021 State Thespian Officer Board!
Lydia Benesh - Jr. Thespians
Troupe # 1470
Lydia Benesh is overjoyed to serve as the Iowa Junior Thespians STO! Lydia is a sophomore at Mount Vernon High School and a member of Troupe #1470. She acted in her first show, How To Eat Like a Child, at age five, and has been performing ever since. Some of her favorite roles include Oliver in Oliver!, Peggy in The One Hundred Dresses, and Sylvia in Sylvia. Lydia's other activities include Speech, Science Olympiad, and Choir. She is so grateful to her family and community for helping her grow and learn as a performer, and is so excited to continue her theatre journey as an STO! She wants all Thespians (and, of course, Junior Thespians!) to know that she is available if they need anything or want to chat!
Otto Fox - Advocacy
Troupe #5150
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Otto Fox, STO Advocacy
As 2021 Advocacy Officer, Otto Fox is incredibly passionate about diversity in theatre and is incredibly thankful to have the opportunity to make a difference! He is deeply invested in the performing arts, is a proud member of Lewis Central Theatre Troupe #5150, and is involved in both community and school theatre. His favorite roles have been Peter Van Daan (The Diary of Anne Frank), Frank Gilbreth (Cheaper by the Dozen), and a member of the Annie ensemble. He has also made it to All-State/Nationals for Individual Speech, Group Speech, and Thespian Festival multiple times, and has also written three plays performed at the Young Playwrights Festival of The Rose Theatre. He looks forward to learning and growing his skills as a leader within the theatre community, and hopes to apply them to getting a Doctorate in Theatre after highschool. |
Brooke Richardson - Membership
Troupe #228
Brooke Richardson is super excited to have the opportunity to serve in the membership role as a State Thespian Officer! She is also one of her troupe’s co-presidents of troupe 228 in Oskaloosa. Brooke’s first play was Diary of a Wimpy Kid through her town’s children’s theatre program when she was 7. In her high school’s theatre program, she does both acting and crew. Her shows with her troupe include Sense and Sensibility (Margaret Dashwood), Lucky Stiff (ensemble), Dracula: A Comedic Thriller (Dr. Seward), James and the Giant Peach (ensemble), and This Is Not a Pipe Dream (Interlocutor). She has worked on fundraising, dramaturg, costumes, set, and helps with her troupe’s social media management. She is also in speech, where she has taken part in a one act, group improv, literary program, solo improv, and review. Outside of theatre, Brooke has been involved in National Honor Society, student council, orchestra, chamber orchestra, choir, band, jazz band, and color guard at her school. Brooke is very thankful to have the opportunity to connect with thespians across the state! If you ever have any questions or just want to talk, please reach out!
Instagram: @_brichardson
Twitter: @BrokeRichardson
Snapchat: @brooker411
Instagram: @_brichardson
Twitter: @BrokeRichardson
Snapchat: @brooker411
Gabriella Johnson - Secretary
Troupe #2027
Gabriella Johnson is delighted to be serving as Secretary for the 2021 Iowa Thespian Officer Student board. Gabriella started their theatre journey their freshman year, and has had active roles in shows such as Romeo and Juliet, Little Shop of Horrors, Hamlet, and The Addams Family. They have also produced their theatre’s student-run shows, the Ten Minute Plays, since they were a sophomore. Gabriella is currently the Vice President of Drama Club of their own troupe, 2027, at their high school, Davenport West. Outside of theatre, you can find them in their band’s Wind Ensemble, Jazz Band, Concert Chorale, and Varsity Show Chow. Gabriella could not be prouder to be representing the Iowa Thespians, and cannot wait for the upcoming year!
Caroline Sierk - Communications
Troupe #856
Caroline Sierk is from Pleasant Valley's Troupe #856 and is delighted to serve on the Iowa Thespian Chapter Board as 2021 Communications STO! Theatre has been a welcoming space for Caroline to express herself, and she is grateful to the arts for the knowledge, relationships, and growth they have provided. Some of her favorite previous theatre experiences include playing Charlotte in Charlotte's Web, performing in Carrie: the Musical at the Iowa Thespian Festival 2019, and assistant directing original play, Moving Fast. Caroline also serves as Secretary of Troupe #856. Outside of theatre, Caroline's passions include songwriting, singing, photography, and Pinterest. She works on Pleasant Valley's award-winning publications team, sings in Chamber Choir, is a PV student ambassador, and has been a member of the Iowa All-State Chorus for the past two years. Caroline is eager to get to know Iowa Thespians and act as an advocate for mental health awareness this season. 143!
Instagram: @ carolinelilysierk
Twitter: @ carolinesierk
Instagram: @ carolinelilysierk
Twitter: @ carolinesierk
