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About Our Festival

Palmetto Dramatic Association

Michele Smith
President

Freelance Artist

Kaitlyn Dilllard-Cumbee
Board Member

Indian Land High

Shannon Horn
Vice President

Chas. Co School of Arts

Isabella Dockery
Board Member

White Knoll High

Shelby Pressley

Secretary

Lexington High

Kimberly Sanchelli

Board Member

Mauldin High

Stephanie Daniels
Treasurer

Rock Hill High

Matt Sparkman
Board Member

Brookland Cayce

Leslie Dellinger
Past President

Lexington High

Caitlin White

Board Member

Airport High School

The Palmetto Dramatic Association serves to encourage and further the development and quality of Theatre in South Carolina secondary schools. At the state festival, PDA hosts an original student-written playwriting festival, and professional one act performances, recognizing the work within SC Theatre programs.

South Carolina Thespians

The Educational Theatre Association offers memberships for educators at every stage of their career—from the theatre education major who is just starting out to the most experienced retired arts educator. EdTA provides its members with educational opportunities, awards programs, special offers and opportunities, and a network of peers.

EdTA’s student honorary organization, the International Thespian Society, is the world’s largest honor society recognizing excellence and achievement in middle and high school theatre students. More than 2 million students have been inducted into ITS since its beginning in 1929. Through their EdTA membership, Thespians have access to college auditions, scholarship money, and countless other young people with similar interests. Theatre teaches powerful lifeskills preparing all Thespians for a bright future.

Harry Culpepper, Jr.
Chapter Director

Woodmont High

Teresa McGrath
Co-Chapter Director
(Scholarships & Honor Troupe)

St. Joseph's Catholic

Kathleen Pennyway
Secretary

Dreher High

Dakota Demato
Treasurer
(Thespys & Open Water)

South Pointe High

Jonathon Long

Director of Festivals

Palmetto High

Jill Goodman
Director of STO

Lucy Beckham High

Matt Ward

Dir. of All State & Programming

Carolina Forest High

Amanda Ehrlich
Dir. of Jr. Thespians

Pinewood Preparatory

Clyde Moser
Member-at-Large

Wando High

SC Student Thespian Officers 2025-26

Any Inducted Thespian is eligible to apply for a role as a STUDENT THESPIAN OFFICER (STO) for the 2026-2027 school year. Interested students must fill out the application (along with a parent signature and troupe director recommendation) and UPLOAD the form into the Delegate Registration due in January. These students must also plan to attend the PDA/SCITS Festival in February with their school in 2026 (to apply) and 2027 (to serve). Applicants will be scheduled to participate in the interview process and leadership workshop while at the 2026 festival. Selected STOs will be announced at the end of the 2026 festival weekend.