What is the Educational Theatre Association?

(EdTA) EDUCATIONAL THEATRE ASSOCIATION Since its beginning in 1929 under the name National Thespians, the Educational Theatre Association has worked to promote and strengthen school theatre by recognizing and rewarding excellence. We strive alongside educators, advocates, and artists to make theatre a relevant and lifelong event. The Association also serves as the eyes, ears, and voice of the school theatre community, advocating for a stronger role for theatre education in the curriculum. We are the professional association for theatre education. The International Thespian Society, our student division, is the world’s largest honor society for theatre arts students. Together, the Educational Theatre Association and the International Thespian Society have worked to build strong school theatre programs for more than eighty-five years.

What is the Difference between WA State Thespians and EdTA

Washington State Thespians is a Chapter of the Educational Theatre Association (EdTA). If you start a Thespian Troupe through EdTA you are automatically a member of the Washington State Chapter.

How do you charter a troupe?

When you Charter a Troupe for the first time, you may induct all those whom you believe are committed members of your theatre department and who, if you had had a troupe, would qualify for Thespian membership. As a Troupe Director, you may organize your troupe in a variety of ways to make it work for your school. Points and other membership criteria can be adjusted to fit your needs and your own school program. Visit the EdTA website at: https://www.schooltheatre.org/membership/thespian-troupe-membership

What are the advantages of having a thespian troupe?

Benefits for Teachers

• Opportunities for state and national leadership development, recognition, and awards • Risk management & insurance coverage for Thespian events

• Member rates for International Thespian Festival and EdTA National Conference • A subscription to Dramatics magazine (nine issues, September through May)

• A subscription to Teaching Theatre journal (four issues, quarterly)

• Professional Education and networking at state and national conferences

• Representation in promoting and shaping theatre arts education policy

• Access to advocacy information and resources

• Potential royalty reductions for productions

Benefits of becoming Thespians for Students

• Official membership pin, card, and certificate

• Exclusive Thespian interviews for college admission and scholarships

• School, state, and international leadership opportunities

• Eligibility for state and international festivals

• Thespian opportunities including training, mentoring, and assessment from theatre arts educators and stage professionals

• Dramatics magazine, the only publication edited exclusively for theatre students and teachers

• Unified College auditions and scholarship opportunities for high school seniors

• Discounted entry fees for regional IE and state festivals

After you’ve chartered a Troupe, how do students become Inducted Thespians?

To be inducted as a Thespian and to earn special honors past induction, students earn points for theatre-related work that they do as part of a class or extra-curricular participation. EdTA provides a Thespian point system to help determine induction eligibility.

Only the troupe director may make the final decisions regarding the awarding of Thespian points. The troupe secretary (if the position exists in your troupe) is often responsible for maintaining point records and making them available for each student’s personal review. Point records are kept at the troupe level.

One point represents approximately 10 hours of excellent work. Use this formula in awarding points for items not specifically listed in the point system. To become a Thespian, a student must earn 10 points (the equivalent of 100 hours of excellent work). 5 of those points should be acquired at the school where they are to be inducted.

Once 10 points have been earned the Troupe director can induct them by collecting a $30 fee from the student and inducting them on the EdTA Website. For more information on Induction, Points, as well as documents and online tools to track Points, visit the EdTA website and the ITS Troupe Handbook.

Can Non-Thespians Participate in Thespian Events?

Non-Thespians can participate and be adjudicated at Washington Thespian Regional Thespy Events, attend State Thespian Festival and other events. If a student qualifies at regional Thespys and wants to participate in IE showcase auditions or NIES at the International Thespian Festival in June, they must be an inducted Thespian at the time of registration. Students must also be a thespian to audition for scholarships at Festival.

Do you need to qualify to attend the International Thespian Festival (ITF)?

Anyone may attend the International Thespian Festival (ITF) in June. There are many technical and performance opportunities that do NOT require any qualification. You simply sign up when you register your troupe. However, if you wish to audition for scholarships, collegiate programs, or participate in the International Thespian Excellence Awards (Thespys), you must be an inducted member of a Thespian Troupe.

To participate in Thespys at the International Thespian Festival in June, you must qualify at one of the Washington Thespians’ virtual or regional events. Your overall average adjudicated score must be in the superior column of your particular event rubric. To bring a full-length play or musical to ITF, your show must be adjudicated by EdTA’s national adjudicators in your home school. See the Thespian website for more details. ‘Chapter Select’ cuttings are adjudicated at the State Thespian Festival.

Are there technical events as part of the Thespys?

Yes. Alongside performance categories, there are many technical categories that are adjudicated at the same time. Washington State virtual or regional events give students the opportunity to present technical projects in a variety of categories. Students who qualify at their regional IE can present for an opportunity to showcase at the state and/or International Thespian Festival. Learn more about Thespys!

I’m still lost, is there someone I can talk to or can I be paired with an experienced mentor teacher?

The Washington State Thespian Board members are here to help you take advantage of all the opportunities available to you as a troupe director! Use the contact form to tell us a little bit about you and how we can best help you. Contact us anytime!