GET TO KNOW THE NY STATE THESPIAN OFFICERS BOARD

2020-2021 STATE THESPIAN OFFICERS (STOs)

STO CHAIR

​Margot Baker is honored to serve as the New York Thespians' State Thespian Officer Chair for 2020-2021. Last year, Margot was the Outreach Co-Chair for the New York State Thespians Student Board. She is currently in her second term as President of Troupe #7128 at Half Hollow Hills High School West. Margot has been passionate about the performing arts since she was a toddler and was cast as the first live-action character in the Nick Jr. series, The Wonder Pets. Since then, Margot's love for performing has only grown. Her favorite productions she has been a part of are The Laramie Project, Pippin, Peter and the Starcatcher, and Me and My Girl. Margot is beyond excited to be the State Thespian Officer Chair this year and cannot wait to spread her love of theatre throughout New York.

​Josh Nixon, a junior at Valley Stream Central High School is a part of Troupe # 6729 of the New York State Thespian Honor Society. He is proud to say he has loved the experience and takes pride in the advancements that have been done for countless amounts of theatre students across the country. Previously, Josh has been part of plays such as Letters to Sala, Clue, and even musicals like Chicago, Lion King, and Once on this Island. Throughout all these theatre experiences, he has gained several valuable friendships and relationships that he will always cherish. He is grateful for the skills and expertise he has accumulated over the years and wishes to share this with other theatre students he encounters. While Josh is not on the stage performing, he finds joy in playing the trumpet, running, reading books, learning about business, and even just scrolling through social media and watching Netflix like any typical teenager. He hopes to continue his drive for his passion in theatre, and help others take their passion to a new level as well, whether it be theatre or not. 

Amanda Volk is a junior at Great Neck South High School, troupe 7486. In her high school career so far, Amanda has played roles such as Mrs. Segstrom in A Little Night Music, Deena in Almost Maine, Mrs. White in Clue, Sheila Bryant in A Chorus Line, and was part of the featured ensemble in Mamma Mia! Amanda has also been dance captain and hair/makeup crew chief for the past two years. Amanda became an eight-star member of the Thespian Society last year and got the chance to attend the virtual International Thespian Festival this past June, she is so excited to serve as a State Thespian Officer!

Jackson Moore is a junior drama major at Frank Sinatra School of the Arts in Queens, New York. He has performed in many plays over the past years, including: Charlotte's Web, Midsummer Night's Dream, StreetCar Named Desire, and an original piece written by his drama class called Names That Hurt, aimed to raise awareness about bullying and the importance of mental health. Jackson is very passionate about intersecting the arts and human rights, and was lucky enough to attend a seminar about this at the John F. Kennedy center. He is excited about working with Thespians to raise awareness about diversity in the arts and meet some incredible people along the way. 

Emily Monfort is an 11th grader at the Valley Stream Central High School and is active in both sports and Performing Arts. She is a proud member of Troupe 6729 and is grateful to serve as a Secretary of the Thespian Honor Society in her school. She also enjoys playing the violin and cello, reading, and sleeping during her free time. Previously, Emily has been cast in many productions, but her favorites include 30 Reasons Not to Be In a Play and The Lion King Jr. She was also cast in the all-state production of Kodachrome. She would like to thank her family, friends, and teachers for supporting and encouraging her throughout her journey. She is honored to be a part of the STO cabinet and looks forward to working with everyone.

Ashley DiLorenzo attends Frank Sinatra School of the Arts High School where she participate in ITS as well as the drama and musical theatre departments. She has enjoyed theatre ever since she was very young and she is so lucky to attend a school with such a strong arts community and a rigorous training program. Ashley has been a member of her troupe since her freshman year where at its inaugural, she received a superior ranking in Solo Musical Theatre as well as a "Thespian of the Year" award. Since then, she has had the honor of being the group's Vice President as well as a member of the PR team. One of her favorite projects with the group last year was pitching a series of weekly, virtual mini-festivals they affectionately titled "Thespian Thursdays." She even got to write and act in some of the content! 

Edward Uzhca is a junior at Valley Stream Central High School. He is very grateful for the opportunity of being an STO. He is a proud member and treasurer of Troupe #6729. Edward has been an active member of his schools drama club for many years. Edward first made his stage debut at the age of 8! Ever since, Edward has grown a huge passion for perfroming. He has previously been in productions such as, Chicago, Seussical, Clue on Stage, and many more! Other than Theatre, he spends most of his time enjoying his other hobbies which include photography and video editing. He would love to thank his family, friends and teacher for being his biggest supporters and for encouraging him to be an STO. Edward is very excited and looking foward to become a part of the STO family! He is excited for new opportunities and can’t wait to provide everything that he can!

Rosanna Gao is a junior at Great Neck South High School (Troupe #7486) on Long Island, NY. She is passionate about musical theatre, volunteering, and an advocate for Asian Representation on Broadway. Rosanna is a recipient of the National Honor Thespian award and International Thespian Excellence Award. Also, Rosanna is the co-founder of Music For Change (https://music-for-change.org), a non profit organization that spreads positivity and awareness to current events/social issues through music. There, she advocates for Asian Representation on Broadway by hosting webinars featuring Asian American celebrities speaking about their experiences. Furthermore, she is the founder of the Nassau County Gavel Club (https://ncgavelclub.org) where she hopes to develop student’s public speaking and leadership skills. Music For Change + Gavel Club are always looking for volunteers so feel free to reach out! Rosanna is honored to be State Thespian Officer!  

Emma Alexander is a board member of Thespian Troupe 1623 and a Junior at Wantagh High School. She is currently student director for her school’s troupe and has participated in shows both in and outside of her high school. Some of her favorites include Rent, Children of Eden, and 42nd Street. When she’s not participating in theatre, Emma enjoys dancing, reading, and writing. She is honored to be a State Thespian Officer!

Ashley Schlusselberg  is a senior at Great Neck North High School. She is Vice-President of Troupe #201, and is an active member of her school's performing arts. She has played roles such as Audrey in Little Shop of Horrors, Hope in Anything Goes, Carlotta in Phantom of the Opera, and Chris Gorman in Rumors. When she is not in her troupe rehearsals, Ashley spends time expressing her passion for Opera, Choir, A Capella, and Social Justice. Ashley is honored to be a State Thespian Officer, and she is so excited to work with the New York Thespians Board!

2020-2021 CHAIRPERSONS

Ryann Parcell is a 9th grade student at Bay Ridge Preparatory school in Brooklyn, New York. She currently holds a position of Chairman as a State Thespian Officer of New York. She has been performing in shows since she was in the 2nd grade and has taken up costume and makeup design over the years. Her productions include Annie Jr (orphan), Beauty and the Beast (ensemble), Fame Jr ( female lead), Bye Bye Birdie ( ensemble)., 1001 Arabian Nights ( female lead), Tumbling After ( supporting character), Surfs Up ( female lead), and most recently she was in a radio play called the Canterville Ghost. Aside from theatre, Ryann enjoys playing volleyball, basketball, and reading. Ryann continues to help keep theatre alive at her school as the Vice President of her high school's troupe 8777,  and hopes to do it through her entire highschool career. 

JohnMichael Les is a junior drama major at Frank Sinatra school of the performing arts in Astoria where he is the president of his school's thespians troupe The FSSA Thespians. He has a passion for the performing arts world! He love to sing and model as well. One of his favorite musicals is “You’re  a Good Man Charlie Brown”, which was the first play he acted in  at 11 years old. He loved it so much because of the hard work that went into it and the family-like bond that he created with his company. After that day, it was all he wanted to do. One thing he really enjoyed about Thespians is that it is super welcoming to all groups of people and it introduces people who might not have the opportunity to the drama world otherwise.

Crystina Windham is a senior at Valley Stream Central High School. This is her second year in Thespian Honor Society. She has been involved in theatre since 8th grade, working as both a crew member and performer. Some of her hobbies include playing guitar, writing poetry, and making music. She plans to continue her passion for the arts in college. She is thrilled to be a part of the NY STO Cabinet this year!​

Arabella Notar-Francesco is a senior at Great Neck North High School where she has been a part of Troupe 201, Junior Players, for the last four years. She is currently President of her troupe and works on playbill, costume, and stage crew! In her free time she enjoys playing piano, baking cookies (especially snickerdoodles) , and having spontaneous dance parties in her room. She is so excited to serve on the NYS Thespian Cabinet this year!​​

Julianna Rose is a junior at Wantagh High School and is a member of Thespian Troupe 1623. She is currently the Assistant to the Choreographer at Wantagh High School and has been a choreographer for productions of Aladdin Jr., The Little Mermaid Jr., and Frozen Jr. Julianna has been a part of many theatre productions, including Chicago, Children of Eden, and Rent. In her time outside of theatre, Julianna enjoys writing, reading, and swimming. She is extremely grateful to be a part of the STO cabinet this year!

​Devin Moss is a junior drama major at Frank Sinatra School of the Arts in Astoria, and lives in the Bronx. Devin is the Vice President of her school's thespians troupe #8692. She's been doing community theater since she was 8 and now really passionate about social justice. Her favorite show she has been a part of is a three day production of Into the Woods that she put on at camp. Recently she's been active on her school's Anti-Racism committee to create an actively anti-racist school and to address acts of implicit bias and discrimination. Devin hope to change some of the standing systems present in State Thespian Society in order to make theater more accessible to more students from all over the state.

​Afia Kapadwala is a junior attending Valley Stream North High School who is in her third year of the Performing Arts program at Valley Stream Central High School. Her immense passion for performing serves as her inspiration for all of the time and effort she invests into the program and the arts. She is an avid member of International Thespian Honor Society at VS Central High School as a part of Troupe 6729, and was recently inducted into National Dance Arts Honor Society. She has participated in shows such as Clue, Seussical, Letters to Sala, and was recently casted in the all-state production of Kodachrome. Her hobbies include acting, creative writing, dancing, and reading. She is honored to have the wonderful opportunity of being part of the Student Thespian Board!

Alice Tirakian is a junior at Great Neck South High, and has been a part of Troupe 7486 for three years now. She is a member of the Theatre South executive board, Improv Troupe, as well as an 8-star thespian. Participating in every show performed at South, she has performed in musicals such as; A Little Night Music, as a part of the ensemble; Mamma Mia! As Rosie, her first leading role in a musical; and A Chorus Line: High School Edition, as Judy Turner (virtual). Along with musicals, she has been a part of all the winter plays, such as; Almost, Maine as Marcy; Clue! On Stage, as Mrs. White; and 10 Ways To Survive Life in a Quarantine, as Jess. She has also performed in the One Act Festivals at South, including; The Actor’s Nightmare, as Sarah Siddons (her favorite role she has played); The Absolute Most Cliched Elevator Play in the History of the Entire Universe, as Goth; United Tarnations, as Ambassador Ambroise; and Check Please, Take Two! as Cleo. As much as Alice loves being on stage, she is also involved with the stage crew, holding the position of Costume Crew Chief for two years now. She has also performed in Coffee Houses and Music Nights, which is basically an open mic night. Outside of theatre, Alice is in the Adolescent Activists club, in which students and staff involved try to educate the Long Island area about microaggressions, hate crimes, and genocides. She is also a piano player, and has performed in Merkin and Carnegie Hall. She is a tennis player, playing for 11 years now. She has been a dancer since the age of two. Her favorite style of dance is theatre dance and tap. As a proud Armenian, Alice is involved with her church and Armenian Youth Federation (AYF). Recently she has attended protests and rallies to raise awareness and support for her homeland, as they are currently under attack. Her hobbies include photography, art, fashion, and hockey. She is extremely excited to be chairperson this year!