HITS! (Homeschool Instructional Theatre Society) was founded by Rip Claassen and Laurel Summerfield in February 2005, with a goal of providing serious theatre training, quality productions, and competitive opportunities for young homeschooled actors from the ages of 9 to 19.
HITS! first offered one-day workshops and a summer program in 2005 under their umbrella organization, STAR Company (Success Through Arts Repertory), which offers theatre programs to all students, not just homeschoolers.
In the fall of 2005, HITS! became the first homeschool organization to be admitted to the Cappies program. The year began with a very small group of students and built slowly over the year. Their Cappies critics team consisted of just four critics, with two more coming on board in January. Their first Cappies show, "Harvey," had a cast of 10, one light and sound designer, and the cast doubling as crew.
Despite its small start, HITS! first year of operation ended with a Cappie for Rising Critic (Chelsea Cook), and nominations for Graduating Critic (Rin Barton) and Critic Team (Rin Barton, Chelsea Cook, Adam Cook, Taylor Hart, Leila Giles and Zach Allis).
The group has grown significantly this year, and has a full team of six critics, as well as three regional critics for the 2006-2007 year.
HITS! is still debating their Cappies production for this year. HITS! students are encouraged to read plays and suggest shows, with an emphasis on finding a show that includes all current members of the group. Whatever show is soon decided upon, performances will be held in the theatre of the James Lee Community Center in Falls Church from March 23-31, 2007. Friday shows will be at 7 p.m., and Saturday shows will be at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. The March 24, 7p.m. show will be the Cappies performance.
HITS! will kick off the fall season in November, with performances of the medieval-themed plays "The Ugly Duckling," "The Pale Pink Dragon" and "The Great Pandemonium." Original monologues and a medieval-themed improv scene will be included in the set of three one-act plays. Public performances will be held at James Lee Center in Falls Church, and community service performances will be held at various daycare and retirement centers in the area. These productions will include all HITS! students from the fourth through the twelfth grades.
The highlight of any class or rehearsal at HITS! is improv work. Students spend much of their class time on a large variety of improv games, and all of the actors agree that improv is their favorite way to spend class time. New to the group, student Sarah Spyros said, “Rehearsals are NEVER normal and we always have fun!”
Sarah Schuster added, “The Theatresports games are really a lot of fun. I always enjoy it, and I think everyone else does too.”
Other planned activities for this year include participation in high school improv meets, the Northern Virginia Theatre Festival, and playwriting competitions.