The International Thespian Society
Hilliard Davidson High School sponsors Educational Theatre Association and International Thespian Society Troupe #1316. This troupe is part of an international honor society for high school theatre students who have exhibited meritorious participation in their high school's theatre program. Participation in Drama Club and/or Tech Crew activities/events along with other criteria determine eligibility for membership in this organization. Each May, eligible students are inducted into the International Thespian Society. This induction serves as a gateway to earning a Varsity Letter in theatre at Hilliard Davidson High School, earning Honor Thespian status, and participating in activities and scholarships only available to thespians such as participation in the All-Ohio Thespian production, the Ohio Educational Theatre Association's theatre scholarship program, and service on the Ohio Educational Theatre Association's board of directors as a state student officer. Students earning the rank of Honor Thespian wear a blue and gold Thespian Honor Cord with their graduation robes at their commencement.
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A tradition of involvement and excellence...
Hilliard Davidson has had students selected to participate in the All-Ohio Thespian production EVERY YEAR from 1986-2017. Check out the history of All-Ohio participation.
- 1986 -The Crucible (performed at the International Thespian Festival at Ball State University) - Crew: Margaret DeLong, June Reeves, Jennifer Murrell
- 1987 - Spoon River Anthology - Crew: Margaret DeLong
- 1988 - Runaways - Crew: Todd McGinnis
- 1989 - The Caucasian Chalk Circle - Crew: Brent Bowman
- 1990 - Romeo and Juliet (performed at the International Thespian Festival at Ball State University) - Crew: Linda Lovell
- 1991 - The Dining Room - Cast: Justin Gates Crew: Aaron Entler
- 1992 - Godspell (performed at the International Thespian Festival at Ball State University) - Crew: Aaron Entler
- 1993 - Strider (performed at the International Thespian Festival at Ball State University) - Cast: Jason Nettle Crew: Krisdee Baun
- 1994 -The Visit - Cast: Krisdee Baun, Chuck Moncrief, Jason Nettle, Audra Sturgill Crew: Christine Custer, George DeShetler, Chad Graham, Missy Maiberger, Stacy Simpton
- 1995 - A Chorus Line - Crew: Christine Custer
- 1996 - A Flea in Her Ear - Cast: Traci Tournoux
- 1997 - Quilt - Cast: Sarah Pinkerton Crew: Beth Moulton, Colleen Welsh
- 1998 - Tom Jones (performed at the International Thespian Festival at University of Nebraska-Lincoln) Cast: Seth Trudeau Crew: Brandi Bumgarner, Beth Moulton, Colleen Welsh
- 1999 - Edison Lite (performed at the International Thespian Festival at University of Nebraska-Lincoln) Cast: Colleen McElligott, Matt Wolfe
- 2000 - A Midsummer Night's Dream - Crew: Coo Davis, Elliott France
- 2001 - Little Mary Sunshine - Crew: Robert Vance
- 2002 - Museum - Crew: Devon Bobulski, Matt Buettner, Paul Armstrong, Anna Brawley, John Simpson
- 2003 - The Tempest - Cast: Joe Wood, Kate Weiant, John Mirarchi Crew: Andy Hammond, Ryan Bible, Paul Armstrong, Tom Ioia, Matt Buettner, Nyssa Aisel
- 2004 - A Day in Hollywood/A Night in the Ukraine - Crew: Matt Buettner, Juli Greenwalt, Ryan Bible, Emily Cross, Tracy Brewer, Andy Hammond, Nyssa Aisel
- 2005 - Bus Stop - Crew: Ryan Bible
- 2006 - Violet - Crew: Kaela Jennings, Amy Reed
- 2007 - Where's Charley? - Crew: Erin Anderson, Jillian Brunner
- 2008 - Dead Man Walking - Crew: Dyani Robarge, Jillian Brunner, Mollie Hamilton
- 2009 - All Shook Up - Cast: Michelle Weiser, Nick Navaratnam Crew: Mollie Hamilton, Victoria Sutton, Danielle Pugh
- 2010 - Indian Blood - Crew: Elisabeth Crabtree, Emily Jeu, Dani Pugh, Fish Spurlock, Victoria Sutton
- 2011 - Good News! - Crew: Sarah Barr, Elisabeth Crabtree, Corbin Mauro, Haydn Wells
- 2012 - The Laramie Project - Cast: Emily Prior Crew: Haydn Wells, Elisabeth Crabtree
- 2013 - RENT - Cast: Emily Prior Crew: Sarah Barr, Corbin Mauro
- 2014 - Good and Plenty - Cast: Emily Prior Crew: Michael Capretta
- 2015 - Spring Awakening - Cast: Laura Falb Crew: Michael Capretta
- 2016 - She Kills Monsters - Crew: Michael Capretta
- 2017 - Once on this Island - Cast: David Shaffer
- 2021 - Time Capsule - Cast: Rachel Harrington
Individual Events
Students that have been inducted into the International Thespian Society have the opportunity to compete/display their talents at the state and (if they qualify) international levels. Below is a history of Davidson Theate students that have achieved the highest possible ratings.
Superior Rating/IEs at International Thespian Festival
2012 Emily Prior for Solo Acting
2012 Emily Prior for Solo Acting
Superior Rating and/or IEs Best at State Conference
1995 Matt Vanden Eynden for Playwriting
1995 Neal Gartland for Acting
1995 Dan Chapman for Acting
1995 Tim Murdock for Acting
1997 Jessica Grove for Musical Theatre Vocal Solo
1999 Brandi Bumgarner for Stage Design
2004 Diana Zambrotta for Solo Musical
2004 Katie Sullivan for Solo Acting
2006 Annie Bobbitt for Makeup Design
2006 Katie Kemp for Scenic Design
2007 Tyler Edwards for Solo Pantomime
2007 Jessica Zambrotta and Jeff Meyers for Duet Musical
2008 Michelle Weiser for Solo Acting
2010 India Sulainis for Scenic Design
2012 Sarah Barr for Sound Design
2012 Emily Prior for Solo Acting
2014 Caroline Snyder for Solo Musical Theatre Dance
Critic's Choice Award Winners
2009 Emily Jeu for Costume Design
1995 Matt Vanden Eynden for Playwriting
1995 Neal Gartland for Acting
1995 Dan Chapman for Acting
1995 Tim Murdock for Acting
1997 Jessica Grove for Musical Theatre Vocal Solo
1999 Brandi Bumgarner for Stage Design
2004 Diana Zambrotta for Solo Musical
2004 Katie Sullivan for Solo Acting
2006 Annie Bobbitt for Makeup Design
2006 Katie Kemp for Scenic Design
2007 Tyler Edwards for Solo Pantomime
2007 Jessica Zambrotta and Jeff Meyers for Duet Musical
2008 Michelle Weiser for Solo Acting
2010 India Sulainis for Scenic Design
2012 Sarah Barr for Sound Design
2012 Emily Prior for Solo Acting
2014 Caroline Snyder for Solo Musical Theatre Dance
Critic's Choice Award Winners
2009 Emily Jeu for Costume Design
Bob Fose Memorial Thespian Scholarship Recipients
The Bob Fose Scholarship is given annually to a student/students that have been extremely active active in both their own thespian troupe as well as at the state level and is continuing their education of theatre into college.
1994 Jason Nettle
1995 Christine Custer
1998 Colleen Welsh
2001 Elliott France
2005 Emily Cross
2010 Victoria Sutton
1994 Jason Nettle
1995 Christine Custer
1998 Colleen Welsh
2001 Elliott France
2005 Emily Cross
2010 Victoria Sutton
davidson theatre scholarship opportunities
GEORGE LEWIS THESPIAN SCHOLARSHIP
The George Lewis Thespian Scholarship is funded and awarded each year by the Davidson High School Drama Club. The scholarship is awarded to a graduating senior(s) who is pursuing a college degree in theatrical arts or communication. Graduating seniors may apply for this scholarship by completing an application, which will be made available on the Call Boards, in the Guidance Office, and/or on this website. Recipient(s) is selected by a scholarship committee. This scholarship is announced at the Senior Awards Program.
DIANA EVANS VANCE THEATRE SCHOLARSHIP
This scholarship will benefit theatre students graduating from Hilliard Davidson High School and pursuing a college degree in theatre. The fund will be managed by the Hilliard Davidson Drama Boosters. To make a contribution to the fund, please make checks payable to Hilliard Davidson Drama Boosters and write "Diana Evans Vance Theatre Scholarship Fund" in the memo. Mail to Trace Crawford, Drama Director, Hilliard Davidson High School, 5100 Davidson Road, Hilliard, Ohio 43026.
About George Lewis
George Lewis was a longtime resident of Hilliard, OH who was also a beloved professor in theatre education in The College of Education at The Ohio State Universtiy. He was involved with the building of Hilliard High School's Commons Auditorium (now Memorial Middle School's auditorium) and was instrumental in bringing qualified theatre educators to teach in Hilliard City Schools. He believed in providing all students with the opportunity to fully participate in the arts, especially theatre, through both curricular and extra curricular opportunities. Under his guidance, Hilliard City Schools hired certified theatre teachers and promoted not only after school drama club, but developed numerous theatre course offerings. He was instrumental in bringing Mrs. Robin (Rosenfeld) Brenneman and Mrs. Diana Evans Vance to our school district - a team that served Hilliard High School/Hilliard Davidson High School between 1975-2005 and under whose tenure the high school program rose to state-wide prominence and garnered international recognition. As a university theatre educator of teachers, he was also instrumental in developing many other area theatre educators who have also built exemplary theatre programs in their schools. His passion for and efforts in theatre education continue to ripple throughout Ohio through the teachers he mentored as they influence their own students.
About Diana Evans Vance
Throughout her 38 years in teaching at Hilliard High School/Hilliard Davidson High School, she has served in private, local, state, and national organizations advocating for the betterment of the Arts Education. Her accolades include serving on the State of Ohio's Academic Content Standards Fine Arts Writing Team, serving as an Ohio Department of Education Praxis evaluator, serving on the board of Ohio Alliance for Arts Education, serving on the board of Ohio Educational Theatre Association, being inducted into both the Ohio and the nationalEducational Theatre Associations' Halls of Fame, being a finalist is Ohio's Teacher of the Year program, Davidson's theatre program being invited to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival numerous times and both traveling to and performing at the festival on four occasions, Hilliard High School being nominated for and receiving the Kennedy Center Creative Ticket for Success Award and the theatre program performing in Washington DC at the Kennedy Center, and much more.
In Hilliard, she was a advocate for the Arts remaining a core value of the Hilliard City School District. She served as an English/Theatre teacher in the district for her entire tenure. As well as teaching various English Classes, she taught classes such as Theatre Studies, World Theatre and Drama, and Theatrical Design and Production. She has acted as the school's Building Manager; served as the English Department Facilitator for five years; served as the high school's Performing Arts Facilitator for 20 years; was a Prom Committee advisor, Book Club advisor, Tech Crew advisor, Thespian troupe sponsor, and much more. She has also served on Curriculum Review and Building Improvement Committees with district administration guaranteeing that the Arts are well represented on a curriculum level.
Mrs. Vance was a valuable member of the Davidson staff and the district community from 1975 to 2013. Her dedication and tireless efforts to represent her students, her fellow faculty, and Arts Education in general continue to benefit our students and the arts community today.
The George Lewis Thespian Scholarship is funded and awarded each year by the Davidson High School Drama Club. The scholarship is awarded to a graduating senior(s) who is pursuing a college degree in theatrical arts or communication. Graduating seniors may apply for this scholarship by completing an application, which will be made available on the Call Boards, in the Guidance Office, and/or on this website. Recipient(s) is selected by a scholarship committee. This scholarship is announced at the Senior Awards Program.
DIANA EVANS VANCE THEATRE SCHOLARSHIP
This scholarship will benefit theatre students graduating from Hilliard Davidson High School and pursuing a college degree in theatre. The fund will be managed by the Hilliard Davidson Drama Boosters. To make a contribution to the fund, please make checks payable to Hilliard Davidson Drama Boosters and write "Diana Evans Vance Theatre Scholarship Fund" in the memo. Mail to Trace Crawford, Drama Director, Hilliard Davidson High School, 5100 Davidson Road, Hilliard, Ohio 43026.
About George Lewis
George Lewis was a longtime resident of Hilliard, OH who was also a beloved professor in theatre education in The College of Education at The Ohio State Universtiy. He was involved with the building of Hilliard High School's Commons Auditorium (now Memorial Middle School's auditorium) and was instrumental in bringing qualified theatre educators to teach in Hilliard City Schools. He believed in providing all students with the opportunity to fully participate in the arts, especially theatre, through both curricular and extra curricular opportunities. Under his guidance, Hilliard City Schools hired certified theatre teachers and promoted not only after school drama club, but developed numerous theatre course offerings. He was instrumental in bringing Mrs. Robin (Rosenfeld) Brenneman and Mrs. Diana Evans Vance to our school district - a team that served Hilliard High School/Hilliard Davidson High School between 1975-2005 and under whose tenure the high school program rose to state-wide prominence and garnered international recognition. As a university theatre educator of teachers, he was also instrumental in developing many other area theatre educators who have also built exemplary theatre programs in their schools. His passion for and efforts in theatre education continue to ripple throughout Ohio through the teachers he mentored as they influence their own students.
About Diana Evans Vance
Throughout her 38 years in teaching at Hilliard High School/Hilliard Davidson High School, she has served in private, local, state, and national organizations advocating for the betterment of the Arts Education. Her accolades include serving on the State of Ohio's Academic Content Standards Fine Arts Writing Team, serving as an Ohio Department of Education Praxis evaluator, serving on the board of Ohio Alliance for Arts Education, serving on the board of Ohio Educational Theatre Association, being inducted into both the Ohio and the nationalEducational Theatre Associations' Halls of Fame, being a finalist is Ohio's Teacher of the Year program, Davidson's theatre program being invited to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival numerous times and both traveling to and performing at the festival on four occasions, Hilliard High School being nominated for and receiving the Kennedy Center Creative Ticket for Success Award and the theatre program performing in Washington DC at the Kennedy Center, and much more.
In Hilliard, she was a advocate for the Arts remaining a core value of the Hilliard City School District. She served as an English/Theatre teacher in the district for her entire tenure. As well as teaching various English Classes, she taught classes such as Theatre Studies, World Theatre and Drama, and Theatrical Design and Production. She has acted as the school's Building Manager; served as the English Department Facilitator for five years; served as the high school's Performing Arts Facilitator for 20 years; was a Prom Committee advisor, Book Club advisor, Tech Crew advisor, Thespian troupe sponsor, and much more. She has also served on Curriculum Review and Building Improvement Committees with district administration guaranteeing that the Arts are well represented on a curriculum level.
Mrs. Vance was a valuable member of the Davidson staff and the district community from 1975 to 2013. Her dedication and tireless efforts to represent her students, her fellow faculty, and Arts Education in general continue to benefit our students and the arts community today.