Harpeth Hall girls display showstopping talent at the International Thespian Festival

By Virginia McGrew ’23, Harpeth Hall summer communications intern

The stage is set in Bloomington, Indiana. Creative directors, talented musicians, and ambitious actors from across the country are ready to experience the magic of the arts.  

This is the International Thespian Festival at Indiana University — where a week to attend workshops, watch performers in shows from around the country, and learn from theatre industry professionals, leaves students with a deeper passion for the art of theatre and all that comes with it.

This year 13 Harpeth Hall students attended the International Thespian Festival at Indiana University, diving deep into all aspects of theatre, including tech, directing, dance, and performance, while also learning more about themselves. 

Harpeth Hall theatre director Lauren Bromfield witnessed the magic of the festival. “My favorite part of going to the International Thespian Festival is feeling firsthand the excitement of the girls,” Mrs. Bromfield said. 

After submitting virtual auditions last fall, six of the 13 Harpeth Hall students attending the festival were part of Harpeth Hall Trope 410, allowing them to compete for the chance to win a Thespy Award. 

This year, Harpeth Hall girls were proud to receive the following awards:

• Virginia Conner: superior rating for solo acting 
• Caroline Thomas and Lizzy Wimberly: superior rating for duet musical 
• Shelby Tompkins: superior rating for solo musical
• Sari Shaffer: excellent rating for stage management
• Louisa Wang: excellent rating for solo acting 

Rising senior Shelby Tompkins was also awarded a Thespy Award — the highest honor a student can receive at the festival — for her performance. In a competition of over 2,100 students, Thespy awards are given to the 120 highest-scoring performers in their categories. Shelby is the second Harpeth Hall student in the past three years to receive this award. 

Getting to immerse herself in the theatrical energy made the week even more enjoyable for Shelby. “The community of fun, interesting, and creative people is by far my favorite part,” she said. “It's so awesome to feel the buzz of talent and excitement for theatre constantly around you, which definitely made winning a Thespy even more special!” 

After applying last spring, Katherine Luttrull ‘26 was selected to be a director for the “24-Hour Plays.” In only 24 hours, participants write, cast, rehearse, and perform a 10-minute play in collaboration with students from thespian tropes all over the country. 

The supportive and collaborative environment of the International Thespian Festival made the experience extra rewarding for Harpeth Hall’s attendees.

“I especially loved getting to see performances every day. It was so much fun to see other schools showing off their talents to the most supportive theatre community ever,” rising junior Virginia Conner said. Throughout the week, Virginia participated in workshops such as foundations of directing, monologue mastery, and special effects, while also competing for a Thespy Award. 

Among the girls exploring new acting styles, theatrical design techniques, and Broadway production, Mrs. Bromfield watched students learn how to achieve their best selves. 

“The girls leave this weeklong festival exhausted, yes, but inspired to learn more, ready to work harder, and excited to create more theatre experiences back at Harpeth Hall,” she said. “As a teacher, it doesn't get much better than that.”