February 14 is a special day in the hearts of many Americans. Valentines Day is all about taking the time to celebrate the “love of your life”, and that’s what the student thespians all across Harford County will be doing.
The 7th annual North Eastern Theater Festival (NET Festival) will be held once more in 2014 at Bel Air High School over the Valentine’s Day weekend. The NET Festival is a two-day program that allows students and teachers from all over the state to perform, compete and take part in workshops in order to better themselves as performers and give themselves the chance to work with real professional actors and actresses.
In addition to this experience, students can also work with college thespians and representatives with the possibility of earning a scholarship. In previous years, colleges from all around the Maryland area enjoyed and participated in the events. Establishments such as Harford Community, Baltimore County Community, UMBC, University of Delaware, Towson University and West Virginia University were in attendance last school year, in February of 2013.
Many students from North Harford will take advantage of this opportunity and participate in this year’s NET Festival. Noah League, who played “Tevye” in this year’s musical “The Fiddler on The Roof” will be participating in the festival for the second year in a row.
“It was really fun to go last year and I’m excited to attend again this year. It’s even more fun because so many people from North Harford are participating,” said League.
Last year, League participated in the “dance dance dance” workshop, where in 45 minutes League and others learned an entire musical number in under an hour.
Isabelle Hodgkinson will also be participating in the NET Fest. She competed last year and her monologue earned her a $1000 per year scholarship to UMBC for up to four years.
Delanie Blomquist, who went to the NET Fest last year, say she really enjoys the experience.
“The best part of the NET Fest is that you get to meet other students who are there for the same reason, the love of theater,” says Blomquist, “and it’s awesome to work with other really talented actors from all over the entire north eastern coast… I also met my boyfriend there, which is exciting.”
Many students look forward to the social that’s held on the first night of the Festival, where the actors and musicians can eat and socialize and meet people from other schools. Students participating have the option to attend both nights or just one if they would like.
There are 40 students total from North Harford who will be attending NET Fest in 2014. Ranging from freshman to senior, Drama 1-3, students all over NH are very excited about the experience.