By: Charity Meier | Novi Note | Published January 11, 2024
NOVI — Two Novi High School students received the state’s top honor for theater students during the annual Michigan Thespian Festival in Lansing last month.
Milan Thurman and Alyssa Kraus were among the 10 students to receive the thespian scholarship.
“The thespian scholarship means so much to me. I really had no idea what to expect going in, so to be commended as one of the top 10 theatre students in the state is an incredible honor and I was absolutely elated to receive it,” Thurman said in an email interview.
In order to be selected for the award, Kraus said she had to present a portfolio of her work in the theater department over the last three years.
“It was honestly such an honor to get a recognition like that. … It felt really amazing to be recognized for the work I’ve done,” Kraus said. “Being up on that stage and receiving the award was still such a surreal moment, and I love that the two of us got to experience that this year, and that we could share that moment with the other members of the troupe that were at the festival with us.”
Thurman said that although they pour their heart and soul into their work, this award is important to him because it shows the value of “quiet dedication,” which he said is often overlooked. He said he hopes the underclassman can look at his and Kraus’ achievements for inspiration.
“I think I didn’t realize just how much it meant to me that someone had seen my work, the blood and sweat and tears that I put into something I truly cared about, and acknowledged its significance,” Thurman said. “I think that makes it important, because especially at Novi we really value tangible achievements, and I think we often overlook the value of quiet dedication, so I hope that underclassmen can look at it and realize that it’s not always about test scores or placings but finding passion wherever you can.”
Thurman has been active in theater since the fifth grade, when he started performing with Novi Youth Theater/In the Mitten Productions and then the Novi Middle School theater department. He also volunteers at the Novi Civic Center K-8 Productions. However, he said his primary focus is on Novi High School shows.
“I love theatre for so many reasons — the people are so genuine and passionate and wildly talented, and it gives me something to look forward to at the end of every day,” he said. “Theatre is also a vehicle for change. To me, there is nothing more powerful than a lasting impression after watching a captivating show, that quiet moment in the car ride home when the depth of emotion and complexity really sinks in.”
Kraus also said that the people are her favorite part of being involved in theater.
“It‘s such a great community and we put a lot of effort into making it a really supportive and welcoming environment for newcomers,” Kraus said. “For anyone interested, I’d definitely recommend joining. We always need new people, and if you’re looking for a place to do what you love or try new things with a group of friends that welcome you with open arms, this is exactly the place.”
Along with the top honor of the thespian scholarship, both students received additional awards. Thurman received superior awards for theater marketing and duet acting alongside Neel Archis-Manish. Kraus took home a superior award for props design and an excellent award for stage management.
Both Kraus and Thurman plan to continue to have an active role in theater after high school. Kraus said she wants to minor in technical theater or stage management. Thurman said he is waiting to hear back from the schools he has applied to, and that the thespian scholarship has the benefit of being applicable toward any school.
Novi High School students to take home Michigan Thespian Festival awards:
Superior awards
Duet Acting: Lorelai Raudszus, Hanna Jeong, Neel Archis-Manish and Milan Thurman.
Props Design: Alyssa Kraus.
Duet Musical Theatre: Brandon Gilger and Isabelle Shi.
Monologue: Brandon Gilger.
Playwriting: Neel Archis-Manish.
Set Design: Thomas Smith.
Solo Musical Theatre: Bella Houchins and Hanna Jeong.
Sound Design: Katey Kumon.
Theater Marketing: Milan Thurman.
Excellent awards
Monologue: Lorelai Raudszus.
Solo Dance: Isabelle Shi.
Stage Management: Alyssa Kraus.