Marjory Stoneman Douglas Thespians Honored with Prestigious Award

Thespian Troupe 4879 of Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fla. was honored recently at the closing ceremonies of the Florida Thespian Festival in Tampa, with the Spirit of Thespis Award from the International Thespian Society. Melody Herzfeld, the theatre teacher and troupe director, accepted the award. Troupe 4879 has 81 members, 40 of whom participated in the Florida event.

The International Thespian Society Spirit of Thespis Award is a discretionary honor that may recognize up to three schools per year that, when faced with a serious challenge, demonstrate grace under pressure.

The International Thespian Society (ITS), which was established in 1929 and has 2.3 million members, is the Honor Society for middle and high school drama students; a Thespian troupe is a group of students who have earned induction into the Honor Society. ITS is a program of the Educational Theatre Association (EdTA).

In presenting the award, EdTA Deputy Director Doug Berlon said, "We want to recognize and honor the self-confidence and passion that participating in theatre has instilled in the students under Melody's direction and the inspiration they have all given to us."

The presentation was made at the closing ceremonies of the Florida Thespian Festival, which, according to Florida Chapter Director Lindsay Warfield, attracted 8,000 drama students and their teachers. It was held at the Tampa Convention Center. Warfield is the theatre teacher at Steinbrenner High School in Tampa.

The last time the award was presented was in 2013, also to a Florida school, Thespian Troupe 6616, Troupe Director Emily Macy, in Merritt Island.