Thirteen students from Lakeland High School and IA West, members of Thespian Troupe 7905, participated and competed this past weekend at the annual Michigan Thespian Festival, held at the Lansing Center.
Troupe 7905 competed in 11 Individual Competitive Events, earning an impressive three Superior Ratings and seven Excellent Ratings. The strong showing reflects the students’ dedication and growing expertise in performance and technical theater. With this experience, students are now better prepared to maximize future opportunities in productions, conferences, and competitions.
Superior Ratings were awarded to:
Molly Phillips – Musical Theater Solo
Jovie Lesniak & Olivia Mammel – Duet Acting Scene
June Spencer – Scenic Design
Excellent Ratings were earned by:
Jake Cole – Monologues
Annalin Nicholas – Monologues
Brighton Leder & Malu Trice – Duet Acting Scene
Malu Trice – Musical Theater Solo
Jake Cole & Evan Cotton – Duet Musical Theater
Evan Cotton, Brighton Leder, Jovie Lesniak, Olivia Mammel, Molly Phillips, Jacob Sordia, & Lily Vivio – Ensemble Acting
June Spencer – Stage Management
In addition to competitive success, Jake Cole and June Spencer officially participated in Senior Scholarship auditions and were offered a combined total of more than $750,000 in college scholarships, a remarkable achievement.
Beyond awards, the weekend emphasized collaboration and community. Students were seen actively supporting peers from across the state, often choosing to attend classmates’ performances even when workshops were scheduled at the same time. This spirit of encouragement and connection made the experience especially meaningful.
The festival proved to be time well spent, as students return with new skills, ideas, and inspiration to continue growing the arts in Huron Valley. The troupe extends its gratitude to all who support and recognize the value of this impactful event for students and the arts community.
