Montezuma-Cortez High School 2025 graduate Cruz Hernandez and junior Brian Sandner represented their school at the International Thespian Festival, held June 23-27 at Indiana University.
The event, an extension of the Colorado State Thespian Conference, drew over 1,000 participants, including a few international attendees, for competitions, workshops and performances.
Hernandez competed with his set design from “Beauty and the Beast,” presenting to three judges on Monday after transporting the model to Bloomington, Indiana.
“I had to ship my model from here in Cortez to some family that I have in Indiana, and then unbox it and take it and actually compete,” Hernandez said. “I competed on Monday, which consisted of three judges, and I just presented my design.”
Sandner submitted his short film to be judged. Overall, 13 finalists were selected for film. Both Hernandez and Sandner earned “excellent” overall ratings, and Sandner narrowly missing “superior” by 0.3 points.
The five-day event featured workshops that presented on a variety of topics, with Hernandez and Sandner attending some together and separately, specifically noting workshops on projection, directing and design.
The two also spoke of the nearly Broadway-level shows, with Hadestown High School Edition being a standout for both Hernandez and Sandner. In total, Sandner said he attended seven of the eight shows, while Hernandez attended five.
Hernandez, who graduated this spring, will attend the University of Colorado Boulder this fall for a bachelor’s in technical theater, focusing on scenic design.
Sandner plans to pursue film after he graduates from MCHS.
“I'm still planning to go into film,” Sandner said. “And through my high school, I'm trying to work on films and kind of build up a resume and learn from and try to get to know people. Then after high school, I'm planning to go to go into film and planning to go to a film internship to learn more about all of that.”
Both qualified to attend through their state-level performances. At state, Sandner won the best editor award and received a “superior” rating for his short film, and Hernandez scored a “superior” rating for his “Beauty and the Beast” set design. Students are required to score “superior” in state competitions to compete at the festival.
Meanwhile, former MCHS drama director Nicholaus Sandner, who was also present during the interview, shared a teaser about a new nonprofit he is leading called Lamp Post Creative Learning Center.
Lamp Post will be hosting a children’s summer theater camp starting next week. The camp will culminate with the performance of “Finding Nemo Junior” on July 18-19. Lamp Post is also hoping to host an adult theater production this fall.
Those interested in learning more about the camp can contact Nicholaus Sandner at njsandner@gmail.com.
