Four Akron School for the Arts students received top honors at a regional theater competition and will go on to compete at the international level.

Hosted by the International Thespian Society, a division of the Educational Theatre Association, the “Thespys” recognize outstanding achievement in high school theater, from acting and musical performance to costume construction and lighting design. Students who earn “superior” ratings at a qualifying event are invited to compete in the International Thespian Festival in June at Indiana University.

Students at Akron School for the Arts — which is housed at Firestone Community Learning Center — competed at OhFallThesFest24 at Olentangy Liberty High School in Powell earlier this month.

Senior Cecilia Bailey received superior ratings in Solo Musical Theatre and Duet Musical Theatre. She also received an excellent rating in Solo Acting. Senior Stephen Kraus received a superior rating in Solo Musical Theatre. Senior Kyle McFalls received superior ratings in Solo Musical Theatre, Solo Acting and Duet Musical Theatre. Junior Wittman Sullivan received a superior rating in Lighting Design. 

Two other students received excellent ratings: Seniors Macy Garver-Hughes in Solo Acting and Alicia Hotes in Solo Musical Theatre.

More than 200 Ohio students participated in the competition, said Matt Wolfe, Ohio chapter director of the Educational Theatre Association. Of the 156 entries, 51 received superiors.

Also at OhFallThesFest24, students auditioned for the all-Ohio theatrical production “John Proctor is the Villain.” Senior Anna Foltz was cast as Bailey Gallagher, and Sullivan was selected as the assistant technical director. Students will present the play at the annual Ohio Thespian State Conference in March at Westerville Central High School.

Firestone Theatre is the play and musical production arm of Akron School for the Arts. Recently, it was the first Ohio high school to stage “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child.” Firestone Theatre’s season will continue Thursday, Jan. 30, with “Jaja’s African Hair Braiding.”

Culture & Arts Reporter (she/her)
Brittany is an accomplished journalist who’s passionate about the arts, civic engagement and great storytelling. She has more than a decade of experience covering culture and arts, both in Ohio and nationally. She previously served as the associate editor of Columbus Monthly, where she wrote community-focused stories about Central Ohio’s movers and shakers. A lifelong Ohioan, she grew up in Springfield and graduated from Kent State University.