Franklin Academy Inducts Students into International Thespian Society

Franklin Academy recently inducted ten new members into Thespian Troupe #12070 of the International Thespian Society (ITS), celebrating their dedication, passion, and hard work in theater. These students earned their place in this international community by participating extensively in the academy’s theater program, which promotes excellence in both performance and production.

The ITS, established in 1929 and named for Thespis, the legendary Greek who first stepped out of the chorus to become an actor, honors student achievement in theater arts. Students earn induction by accumulating points based on the quality and quantity of their work in theater. The ten Franklin Academy students honored this year have each logged over 80 hours in productions, including Anything Goes, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, a moving adaptation of The Laramie Project, and an award-winning one-act play, The Other Room.

According to Theater Director Matt Landry-McWilliams, Franklin Academy is “…proud to recognize our inductees for their exemplary contributions to our productions, their growth as artists, and their leadership within the Franklin Academy Theater Arts program. Congratulations to these new Thespians,” he continued, “who continue to elevate Franklin Academy’s theater program with their talent, dedication, and commitment to the arts! The students have not only demonstrated impressive talent but have also taken on significant roles in productions and in leading their peers.”

This year’s inductees are:

• Molly Brigden, Nate Carlton, Carly Zimmerman, Olivia Weiler, Keira Blank, JB Barossi, Ben Rumelt, Ellie Rubin, Jack Chillemi, and Star Peer. Each of these students contributed to the charm and energy of Anything Goes in the spring.
• Nate Carlton and Carly Zimmerman brought sensitivity and maturity to The Laramie Project, addressing challenging themes with skill.
• Ellie Rubin, Olivia Weiler, Carly Zimmerman, Molly Brigden, and Nate Carlton delighted audiences with humor and talent in The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee.
• Ellie Rubin, JB Barossi, Olivia Weiler, Nate Carlton, and Molly Brigden earned seven awards at the Connecticut Drama Association One-Act Festival for their ensemble work in The Other Room, recognized for Theatrical Excellence.

As new Thespian Troupe members, this talented group will now serve as student leaders within Franklin Academy’s theater program, helping to foster a strong, supportive community. The troupe looks forward to an exciting season, with Middletown by Will Eno opening in just two weeks, followed by Pippin in the spring.

Located in beautiful East Haddam, CT, Franklin Academy is the premier independent boarding and day school for neurodivergent students in grades 8-PG. For more information, visit https://fa-ct.org/.