Without getting too nerdy, we are called a "Thespian Troupe" because we are part of a worldwide theater honorary organization, the Educational Theatre Association (or EdTA). The Brecksville-Broadview Heights High School Drama Club serves as the base for Thespian Troupe 1260, and its members are inducted into the theatrical honorary, based on their activities. Our troupe at BBH was officially started in 1967. There has been some form of theater produced in BBHHS since 1954!
Thespian Troupe 1260 is the primary producer of shows at BBHHS. We raise the money it takes to build the sets, make the costumes, create the props, and light the stage. We also use the money made from shows to make small improvements to the stage and provide merit scholarships to some members of our Troupe.
But, all the same, the moniker is just an "official" title for our BBHHS Drama Club.
The EdTA is a theater education organization founded in 1929, dedicated to improving the quality and growth of high school theater programs, bringing credibility and distinction to students, teachers, and schools. There are over 5000 international schools that are part of EdTA. We honor our hardworking students by inducting them into EdTA's International Thespian Society, where they become part of a worldwide honor society.
<pushes nerd glasses up the nose>
It is widely acknowledged that a man named Thespis was the first person to step away from the Greek Chorus and speak to the audience directly. Up to that point, theater was done with large groups speaking together and presenting to the audience. Since Thespis took that first step away from the chorus to speak a monologue, many additional changes have taken place, obviously, but that act represented a drastic change in drama. From that point, we honor his legacy by calling our modern actors "Thespians."