The sophomore savior of the International Thespian Society

At the end of last year’s International Thespian Society induction (ITS), freshman Jianna Thompson was called up onto the stage as the new president of the club. An officer for any club is typically an upperclassman who has been in the club before, yet Thompson was simultaneously inducted and elected president for ITS in the same night. Now a sophomore, she is still only at the beginning of her hero’s journey on the stage.

“At first it was a little scary being a sophomore and ITS [International Thespian Society] president, but everyone has helped me out and showed me that I really do have what it takes to be someone in charge, someone to help guide ITS to be back where it should have been after all the crazy events that happened with covid,” said Thompson.

Before Thompson became president, ITS had not had a president in about two years. 

“At the one act last year we didn’t have the special we needed for the last light cue and she just jumped in and learned how to use the spotlight,” said junior Jasper Covington.

Not only was she an on-the-spot stand-in for the spotlight, she also memorized all of a character’s lines because one of the actors was sick. 

“She knows how to take charge and when it’s time to be professional,” said senior Vix Lewis. 

Thompson has become a role model not only for theatre here at Salem, but as a leader in general. 

“It’s been a collaborative experience where we all put our minds together to make sure that all of the thespian voices are being heard,” said Thompson. 

Thompson has embarked on her journey in the theatre community, but she has much more to give these next three years. 

 “She’s so lovely and such a team player,” said Covington.

We can’t wait to see what she has in store for ITS!