SJCS Students Excel at Thespian State Festival

Eleven students represented SJCS at the 2026 Palmetto Dramatic Association/South Carolina Thespian State Festival February 20-22 at Coastal Carolina University in Conway, celebrating educational theatre with high schools throughout the state.

Several students submitted performances into the qualifying round of the International Thespian Excellence Awards. Of these entries, the following students received "Excellent" ratings in the following categories:

• Jacob Exposito and Jonathan Kissel in Solo Musical Theatre;
• Jonathan Kissel and Ryan Lanza in Duet Musical Theatre;
• Lili Franek and Abby VanderLinde in Two-Person Scenes;
• Lincoln Davis in Film.
   

The following performances and presentations received "Superior" ratings and have been selected to compete with students from across the country at the 2026 International Thespian Festival June 21-26 at Indiana University:

• Liam Parrott, Anna Quesnelle and Aisley Zare in Solo Musical Theatre;
• Jacob Exposito & Anna Quesnelle in Solo Acting;
• Noah VanderLinde in Scenic Design.
• ** Anna Quesnelle's Solo Acting performance was selected to be presented in the festival's showcase.

The SJCS competition one act, Why Do We Laugh?, directed by Abby VanderLinde, received a "Superior" rating for Play Production, along with the following accolades:

• Excellent in Acting - Anna Quesnelle;
• Superior in Acting - Ryan Lanza;
• Outstanding Contribution for Student Directing - Abby VanderLinde.

SJCS International Thespian Troupe #6388 was recognized as a Gold Honor Troupe for its work during the 2024-2025 school year.

Click HERE and HERE to view students' reactions to ratings.

PHOTO GALLERY