Our STOs

Charlotte Ogilvie

TBA

I've been so lucky to have an incredible theater troupe at my school. I know not everyone is as fortunate. I would love to help make theater more accessible so other students can find the incredible community that I have. I have been a leader at my school in a number of capacities and know I could bring those leadership and organizational skills to this role too.

Edem Atti

TBA

Theater is a great way I have expressed myself, made many friends, and also accomplished many great things. I feel like being an STO will help me become better as a person through those experiences. I have represented my borough and school on many occasions in and outside of theater, and have been known to give good advice to younger people or those who need it. Being an STO will help me further skills in playing a good mentor role. I also want to gain experience not only as a leader, but through becoming a better person.

Alessia Surdich

TBA

I want to continue serving as a State Thespian Officer because after gaining experience this past year I am thrilled to participate with a new outlook. I feel I am a strong representative for theater students because I have been a part of theater my whole life, so being a theater kid is in my blood, and I am participatory as both a techie and an actor, allowing me to connect with both groups.

Jordan Perez

TBA

I want to be a State Thespian Officer because I love theatre. I love when a production is able to come together even when there are challenges. I feel I would be a strong representative because I am passionate about the art and work very hard so that a show can turn out the best it can.

John Wiesman

I want to be a State Thespian Officer so that I can become more involved with the Thespian Society. I want to create more friendships with people in theatre, and gain new experiences. I think I would be a good representation of theatre students throughout New York because I’m passionate about theatre, love performing, and I enjoy this art form for all of its different aspects!

TBA

Jr. STO

Cristopher Garcia

Theatre has changed my life. It has helped me grow not only as a performer, but also as a person. Through theatre, I have learned confidence, teamwork, leadership, and how to tell stories that connect people. As someone who has experienced stage fright, I understand how powerful it can be when a theatre community supports and believes in you. I want to be a State Thespian Officer because I want to help create that same sense of belonging and encouragement for students across New York. My goal is to inspire others to take creative risks, believe in themselves, and discover the same love for theatre that has inspired me.

Regina McLean

TBA

I want to aid in building a space where Thespians across the state can grow. It is very important that Thespians remain interconnected, as these connections may give us strong opportunities in the future or help us remember to never give up. Not only could one meet people that they might work with, but it's vital that we witness how others prepare and perform because it brings us out of our comfort zones, enhances our insight, and broadens the horizon beyond one's hometown.

Talia M. Hakimian

TBA

I want to be a STO because the Arts, especially theater, have been the only place in my life where I actually feel comfortable enough to be myself. Theater truly changed who I am as a person, has given me lifelong friendships, confidence, and the moral idea that you couldn’t care less what others think. It’s genuinely amazing opening up to a community where I feel valued and respected, so it’s why I know it’s the right time to give back to that community by helping create the same feelings for kids just like me all across New York.

Antonia Rieke

I want to be a State Thespian Officer because of my experience at NY Thespian Festival. I haven’t felt so included and inspired at an event ever in my life. I accomplished so much more than I thought I would. I made new friends, learned sign language, realized how much I love writing, and developed my dance experience. I am also 100% a people person and a definite extrovert which makes it incredibly easy to find connections with others.

TBA

Anna Strupinsky

TBA

I want to continue serving as an STO because I want to keep improving New York Thespians. I am a strong NY Thespians representative because it is something I am extremely passionate about and something I love to do. Helping and teaching people about theater, which had such an impact on me, is also important to me.

Lindsay Stoller

TBA

I have been incredibly involved in theatre throughout my entire high school career, and am president of my school’s own thespian troupe 201! I am also a huge supporter of expanding and protecting theatre education in schools across New York and the nation. I am so honored to be able to serve as an STO this year.

Jordyn Cohen

I want to be a State Thespian Officer because my friends were in the program this year and talked about how much fun they had all year round! I feel I would be a strong representative for theatre students throughout the state of New York because I love what I do, and I love being able to share what I do with others and have them embrace the love of theatre. I believe sharing the love for this art form would be beneficial to everyone who sees it!

TBA

Wallace Berman

I want to continue serving so I can give back to the theatre community that has done so much for me. I feel like I would be a strong representative because I have been involved in theatre for so long and I know what the people want and am very good at communicating with the people.

TBA

Raneen Khalil

I enjoy planning things and working with other theater students to bring everyone together and have a fun time. I have already helped a lot, and I would like to continue my work.

TBA

Gemma Murphy

I want to be a State Thespian Officer because I have such an admiration for the theater community in New York, specifically on Long Island, which is where I am from!! I think that being on the State Thespian Board would be an amazing way for me to give back to the theater community, as it will enable me to share ideas I have for community events and collaborate to elevate the NY Thespian Festival to be the best it can be! In addition, I feel I will learn new ways to become involved and get others involved in the theater community, which is very valuable to me, as in the future, I want to own my own theater.

TBA

Emma Poritzky

I want to continue serving as a State Thespian Officer because I feel that I can make an impact on many different schools around the state. I feel that I am a good representative for the student theater community because of the different perspectives that I bring. I come from a more athletic background, and I think that helps me when it comes to building a theater community. I know traditionally these two things are very separate, and my goal is to build the best theater community, and that means a unified one.

TBA

I want to continue serving as an STO officer because I believe it is important for as many people as possible to have the opportunity to partake in the wonderful experience of being in a thespian troupe. It provides a warm and welcoming community, as well as instills a crucial sense of belonging that only being part of such an elaborate team can create.

Ellie Segal

TBA

Parker Yuttal

I want it be a State Thespian Officer because I want to be someone that people can look up to for advice. I feel that I would be a strong representative for theatre students throughout the state is I’ve been involved in theatre for a very long time and I want to continue to be proactive in the community.

TBA

Annaliese Gouedy

I want to be a STO because of all that theater has done for me. In my earlier years I lived in a small town in Louisiana where there was no music, and definitely not any theater. My 8th grade year I joined a drama club for the very first time in my life, and even though it was the most overbearing task of my life, not a single moment went by that I didn't enjoy. A chaotic overwhelming sensation only theater can produce. That's when I knew I finally found a place I belong - a place where everyone belongs - theater. I want nothing more than to have the pleasure of representing my community as an STO and hopefully let them know that there is someone who sees them.

TBA

Derek Herrera

I want to continue serving as an STO because I will be able to continue advocating and spreading theater across the state. New York City, more specifically Manhattan, is known for its incredible theater opportunities and programs, but what about Upstate New York, Long Island, and the other boroughs like Brooklyn or Queens? Being able to involve ALL of New York and not just the city in the theater world is something I strive to do. I want to be a STO because of all that theater has done for me. In my earlier years I lived in a small town in Louisiana where there was no music, and definitely not any theater. My 8th grade year I joined a drama club for the very first time in my life, and even though it was the most overbearing task of my life, not a single moment went by that I didn't enjoy. A chaotic overwhelming sensation only theater can produce. That's when I knew I finally found a place I belong - a place where everyone belongs - theater. I want nothing more than to have the pleasure of representing my community as an STO and hopefully let them know that there is someone who sees them.

TBA

Koa Wallace

I would love to be a State Thespian Officer because I feel that I could utilize my passion for writing to benefit the International Thespian Society, whether it's through being part of their editorial/troupe newsletter team or drafting advocacy letters. I value the opinions of people from all backgrounds, and I am passionate about elevating the voices of those who may not feel heard. My ability to listen and document communities' experiences ensures that no student's artistic journey goes unnoticed.