History of International Thespian Society

 The International Thespian Society was established in 1929. The organization is named for Thespis, the ancient Greek playwright/actor who, according to legend, stepped out from the chorus and became the first actor. The Society’s guiding principle is a dedication to excellence in educational theatre. The International Thespian Society honors those students who do theatre well in honor of all that is drama, from the use of artistic lighting to focus attention, to the painting of the scenery or the sculpture of a costume or the makeup on actor’s face. From the soundless movements of acting to the rhythmic movements of dance. From the playwright’s script that will heighten our awareness of the world to the spoken speech, we honor all the arts that are theatre.

Famous alumni include Tom Hanks, Val Kilmer, James Masters, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, and Stephen Schwartz.