WHAT IS THE INTERNATIONAL THESPIAN SOCIETY (ITS)?
The International Thespian Society (ITS), founded in 1929, is an honorary organization for high school and middle school theatre students located at more than 4,900 affiliated secondary schools across America and abroad. The mission of ITS is to honor student achievement in the theatre arts. High school inductees are known as Thespians. ITS is a division of the Educational Theatre Association (EdTA).
THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE SCHOOL'S THESPIAN TROUPE
AND THE THEATRE PROGRAM
AND THE THEATRE PROGRAM
The Thespian troupe is a subset of the theatre arts program. It is the student honor society, a separate student organization, and membership is earned. Any student may be a member of the theatre program, but only students who have been officially inducted and registered with the EdTA national office are members of the theatre program and the International Thespian Society.
HOW DO I BECOME A THESPIAN MEMBER?
Membership is granted for the performance of meritorious work in the theatre arts that meets the Society's general guidelines. The Educational Theatre Association has created a point system based on roles and hours worked in particular theatrical jobs. Thus, students earn points/hours through working on Eagle Theatre Company productions as crew members or actors. Students may also earn points for attending theatrical productions of middle school to professional level.
Students may fill out the ITS Points Sheet and turn it in to the troupe director for points to be awarded for work completed. Once a student has reached the minimum points required at the high school level students will be issued an invitation to become a member. Following the receipt of the invitation, students may accept by paying a one-time induction fee. You can download the blank for here. Complete the form, save as PDF and email to [email protected] or print out and turn in to Mr. Jones in room C-01. An example of a completed Thespian Point Form is available here.
Students may fill out the ITS Points Sheet and turn it in to the troupe director for points to be awarded for work completed. Once a student has reached the minimum points required at the high school level students will be issued an invitation to become a member. Following the receipt of the invitation, students may accept by paying a one-time induction fee. You can download the blank for here. Complete the form, save as PDF and email to [email protected] or print out and turn in to Mr. Jones in room C-01. An example of a completed Thespian Point Form is available here.
THESPIAN INDUCTION ELIGIBILITY
Only students in grades 9 through 12 may be inducted into the high school Thespian troupe.
Thespian points. The Thespian point system provides the recommended number of points awarded for a specific assignment. The Troupe's director may use their discretion in awarding points according to the student's quality of work and cooperation. Quality may include the caliber of the work done and the educational value of the experience. The troupe director makes the final decision regarding the awarding of Thespian points. The point system is available here.
Troupes may adopt changes to the point system to meet the unique needs of their programs and students. Approved changes must be documented in the troupe constitution and shared will all theatre students.
Troupes may adopt changes to the point system to meet the unique needs of their programs and students. Approved changes must be documented in the troupe constitution and shared will all theatre students.
Additional Criteria. The troupe director may adopt additional requirements for induction into ITS. Attendance, academic performance, behavioral expectations, and community service projects are examples of criteria that may be considered when determining induction and membership eligibility. Any changes must be documents in the troupe constitution. Criteria may not include recommendation or approval by other students.
Benefits.
Thespians, for a one-time induction fee of $40, receive the following benefits:
Thespians, for a one-time induction fee of $40, receive the following benefits:
- A Thespian induction pin.
- A personalized membership card and certificate.
- A one-year subscription to the print edition of Dramatics magazine as well as the opportunity to renew that subscription at a special member rate.
- A subscription to Dramatics Digital from induction through the year following graduation.
- Leadership opportunities at the troupe, chapter (state), and national levels.
- Eligibility to apply for EdTA grants and scholarships.
- Eligibility to audition for admission to college theatre programs at the International Thespian Festival.
- Eligibility to receive Thespian honor and graduation items.
- A bumper sticker that reads: Proud parent of a theatre arts honor student.