Middle school theater teacher Angela Gabardi told The Journal<\/em> that the International Thespian Festival brings together theater students and teaches from all over the country for workshops, showcases and theater productions. The event is the next level up from Thescon, and students who perform exceptionally at Thescon receive an invitation. This year, six CMS students competed at Thescon.<\/p>\n \u201cI am most excited about just being able to be surrounded by other theater kids who really care about theater, and I am excited to have fun,\u201d Nielson said.<\/p>\n At CMS, Nielson is a Golden Star Thespian, meaning she has participated in all six middle school productions during her time at the school. She most recently played Young Anna and Olaf in the school\u2019s production of \u201cFrozen Jr.\u201d She is also a cheerleader and participates in band and choir.<\/p>\n \u201cAfton\u2019s middle school career is one of the best. She has been a cheerleader, a band kid, a choir rock star and one of the best actors,\u201d Gabardi said. \u201cShe is an All-Star and I am so\u00a0excited that\u00a0she gets this opportunity to shine and have fun with other theater kids.\u201d<\/p>\n The district has expressed its excitement in Nielson\u2019s achievement as well.<\/p>\n \u201cThe support for this trip has been amazing. Everyone has been so excited for Afton. From our own principals\u00a0at the middle school, to the district office and all of Afton\u2019s peers \u2013 it just shows how loved these kids\u00a0are,\u201d Gabardi shared. \u201cAs Afton\u2019s teacher, I am so proud of her. I am so grateful that such a humble, kind, goofy, loveable kid is going off into the big leagues\u00a0to represent our program, our school, but most importantly, her love of theater.\u201d<\/p>\n Previous Montezuma-Cortez students have represented the school at the festival, including participants in scene performances, musical solos, film and set design.<\/p>\n Three students went in 2023. Brian Sandner and Nielson Hurst were invited for their scene performance from the \u201cOdd Couple,\u201d and Becca Story for her musical solo, \u201cSomeone You\u2019d be Proud Of.\u201d Last summer, Sandner (film) and Cruz Hernandez (set design) attended to represent MCHS.<\/p>\n For students from rural communities like Cortez, the festival offers a significant opportunity to engage with theater at an international level, Gabardi said.<\/p>\n \u201cThis is a huge honor. For one, Afton earned this. She\u00a0worked hard, showcased her\u00a0talent and gave our state competition\u00a0a great performance,\u201d Gabardi said. \u201cIndiana University Bloomington is going to be filled with thespians of all ages showcasing their love of theater, and for a kid from Cortez, Colorado, that type of experience\u00a0is a once-in-a-lifetime\u00a0adventure. Afton is going to meet kids from all over, she is going to work with theater professionals with all sorts of epic backgrounds and careers and she is going to see a variety of productions that showcase all the levels, emotions, skills and beautiful stories that theater has to offer.\u201d<\/p>\n