In Washington, senior high school troupes may attend ANY of the four Regional Thespy Events–whichever one(s) work best for your school’s proximity and schedule.

The Thespy program requires use of approved material for performance categories. EdTA works closely with authors and rights holders to secure access to a rich selection of over 12,000 titles that have been pre-approved for use in the Thespy program at no charge to students. The list is curated annually and locked prior to the start of the academic year.

Each teacher must verify their students’ Thespy material is approved–otherwise, they will be disqualified from scoring or advancing in the Thespy program.

Visit the Educational Theatre Association’s Thespy Site for all updated instructions, categories, rules, rubrics, scholarship info, and approved publishers.

NEW THIS YEAR: You no longer need to check the red light list; but rather, all approved material is available to look up on the APPROVED MATERIAL page. If your piece does not appear in the approved material database, it is not eligible for performance Thespys.

Since Technical Thespys do not perform copyrighted work, the Approved Materials List doesn’t apply. Students may create theoretical designs for any performed work.

All students are limited to participating in up to THREE different Thespys which can be a mix of in-person and virtual-only categories, performance, and tech.

Washington is excited to participate in the Directing Thespy BETA tests. Directing is a virtual-only submission. Read the Directing Rubric here and Directing Rules here. NOTE: Superiors in the DIRECTING BETA test category may qualify for the WA Thespy Showcase at State, however, they will NOT be included in Thespys at the International Thespian Festival.

ALL Thespy categories are adjudicated IN-PERSON at our four Regional Thespy Events with the exception of Short Film, Playwriting, and the Directing BETA, which are VIRTUAL-ONLY Thespys. The registration fee for virtual-only categories includes an invitation to attend a Regional Event to observe peers doing in-person Thespys but there is no in-person requirement or programming for the three virtual-only categories at the Regional level. Short Film, Playwriting, and Directing Thespys who qualify for State Showcase will be honored and shared at the WA State Thespian Festival in March.

Troupes are encouraged to bring non-participant student observers at the discounted fee of $10. This is a great opportunity for newer students to check out Thespys and support their peers! Additional adult chaperones may be registered for the $10 observer fee. ALL observers MUST be registered in December in order to attend Thespy events.

Yes! If your school has never participated in the Washington State Thespys, we invite you to bring up to 6 participants or observers free of charge! Email ben.stuart@wathespians.org for discount info!

All Superior-scoring Thespys from the four regions qualify to audition for our State Thespy Showcase! After the conclusion of the Regional Thespy events, Showcase audition qualifiers from all categories will be invited to submit a VIDEO of their Thespy performance or tech presentation as a VIRTUAL audition for a state-wide panel of top adjudicators. Everyone selected for the State Thespy Showcase via video submissions will be notified prior to the close of State Festival registration so schools may register and plan accordingly. If you are selected but cannot attend to present your Thespy at State, alternate Thespys in each category will be invited.

All Superior-scoring Thespys from the four regions also qualify to bring their material to the International Thespian Festival (ITF) in Bloomington, Indiana in June. During ITF, auditions for the International Thespian Excellence Awards Showcase will be held and scholarship money is awarded to the finalists who perform for delegates from around the world in-person! NOTE: The Directing BETA Test category will not be included at ITF 2026.

While WA Thespians is not hosting a qualifying event for Junior Thespians, EdTA does offer an alternate qualifying event. Visit the EdTA website to find out more information on how to participate. This is ONLY for Junior Thespians who do not have the opportunity to participate in our Regional Thespys.