Starkville High School Theatre earned a record-breaking 21 Superior awards for "Thespy" submissions at the 2026 Mississippi Thespian Conference in February. The awards were presented for student technical work, dance pieces and individual, duet and group musical and acting performances. This year's results mark a record number of Superiors received in a single year since the Starkville High Thespian Troupe 1180 was chartered in 1977.
"Our students work so hard all year to lay it on the stage," said SHS Theatre Director, Trisha Jordan. "They represent Starkville High School and prepare to be adjudicated both for their own improvement as performers from year to year and to receive recognition for their achievement."
The Mississippi Thespian Conference is held annually at the MSU Riley Center in Meridian, Mississippi and offers students the opportunity to perform, compete, attend workshops and audition for colleges each year. "Thespy" award submissions are judged by professionals in the theatre and performing arts fields.
Throughout the SHS Troupe 1180's 49-year history, students have consistently earned honors at various conferences each year as well as presented both theatrical and musical productions for the Starkville High School and greater Starkville community.
In addition to the 21 Superior ratings awarded to SHS this year in various categories, four students earned accolades as top-three in the state. Maggie Montgomery ranked 1st place overall in Stage Management. Tori Parson and Sophie Haug earned 2nd place rankings in Stage Management and Scenic Design, respectively. Kylin Ellis received a 3rd place overall ranking for Contrasting Monologue performance. Troupe member, Dezmond Williams, also earned MS Thespian Hall of Fame. Three students will represent Starkville High in the state organization for the upcoming 2026-2027 school year: Darianna Sims, State Thespian Apprentice; Myrto Sergi and Kylin Ellis, State Thespian Officers.
"It is an honor to work with these outstanding theatre students over the years and to watch them find themselves and their talents through this program," Jordan said.
Growth in performing arts begins at the earliest grades for SOCSD students as the district's elementary arts programs include opportunities to participate in musical and dramatic productions. Theatre instruction begins in 6th grade with elective courses that offer training in the history of theatre, stage management, set design, as well as acting. Both middle school and high school theatre programs develop at least two productions each year, including plays and musicals. At the high school level, students may participate in an advanced theatre course that offers experience in virtually all aspects of professional theatre production from set and lighting design, costume and makeup, acting, musical performance and even playwriting.
2026 "Thespy" Superior Award Winners:
Stage Management- Maggie Montgomery (1st place overall), Tori Parson (2nd place overall)
Costume Design- Cadence Butler
Scenic Design- Sophie Haug (2nd place overall)
Contrasting Monologue- Kylin Ellis (3rd place overall), Addie Claire Stephens, Jaylen Rice
Duet Dance- Robin Veasley & Cadyn Robinson
Duet Musical- Savannah Hayes & Kingston Hayes; Maggie Pike & Amelia Rodgers
Solo Musical: Chloe Bullock, Ella Horan, Savannah Hayes, Carlyn West, Darianna Sims, Grace Hawkins, Maggie Pike, Amelia Rodgers, Addie Claire Stephens, Myrto Sergi, Emilee Nichols
