Tom Stephens, current teacher and theatre director at Mount Vernon High School and Eric Lange, former Department Head of Theatre at the University of Northern Iowa from 2004 until 2023 are the newest members of the Iowa Thespian Hall of Fame. Inducted during the annual Iowa Thespian state festival held Nov. 10 and 11, 2023, on the University of Northern Iowa campus, Stephens and Lange joined an esteemed group of individuals who demonstrated dedication to the Thespians of Iowa, promoted theatre arts and arts education, and performed years of service to students at their respective schools. The new inductees were honored for their significant contributions of time, talents, and service to Iowa Thespians and for advancing the mission of theatre education.
Mount Vernon senior and Stephens’ son, Luke Stephens, and Mount Vernon graduate Lydia Benesh, both served as Iowa Thespian State Officers, provided the introduction for their high school teacher and spoke of his dedication to his students and the state organization. Tom Stephens is currently serving as a festival co-chair and was the Iowa Thespian state board secretary previously. Under Stephens’ direction, Mount Vernon students have performed four times on the Iowa Thespian Festival main stage, once as the Chapter Select representative from Iowa, and once on the International Thespian Festival main stage.
UNI Associate Professor of Theatre — Design and Production Mark Parrott introduced his colleague Eric Lange. Nate Jorgensen, former UNI student of Eric Lange and current Troupe Director of Waukee High School, wrote in his nomination of Lange, “Eric Lange has been instrumental in the continued growth of Iowa Thespians over the past decade, helping to foster and expand the annual state festival held at the University of Northern Iowa. Lange first helped to bring the Iowa Thespian Festival to UNI, not only demonstrating a trust in Iowa Thespians as an organization, but also showing courage and planning in bringing around 1,000 high school students to campus.”
Previously, only 32 individuals from across the state have been inducted starting in 1995. Nominations for the 2024 Iowa Thespian Hall of Fame may be submitted on the Iowa Thespian website: iowathespians.org. Click on the Special Recognitions tab. Nominations are due September 1, 2024