Payment & Financial Assistance

Payment

Is there a cost to participate in the All-State Production?

Yes, there are two costs associated with All-State.

1. Audition/Interview Fee - $20. This is a one-time cost that goes towards making the audition process happen. This only needs to be paid once, regardless of how many areas you are applying for. If you are planning to audition/interview for more than one area (Acting, Crew, Orchestra), please contact the show’s producers (allstateproducers@ihstf.org) BEFORE you submit multiple applications so that you do not pay for multiple audition fees.

2. Participation Fee - $550. If you are selected for the show, this is the amount you will be responsible for. This amount is spent 100% on you and your show rehearsal process.  It covers your rehearsal meals, a week of housing at Theatre Festival, show shirts, show water bottles, and more. It is the position of the All-State staff and the Theatre Festival that issues with this cost should not prevent ANYONE from applying or being cast in the All-State show. If you feel that this fee may prohibit you from participating, please see the options below.

Financial Assistance for All-State

1. Financial Assistance for the Audition Fee. If the cost of the audition/interview fee is a challenge, please have your parent/guardian email allstateproducers@ihstf.org to explain the situation and the producers will respond with assistance options. Be sure to include the student name, school, and desired audition areas (Acting, Crew, Orchestra) in the email.

2. Financial Assistance for the Participation Fee. This fee is larger in amount, and so there are several options for how to best handle this payment and assistance:

   1. Pay in installments. In order to ease the financial burden of the participation fee, you may spread out the payments between the rehearsal weekends so that you pay five smaller installments of $110 over the course of five months (July-November).

   2. District Payment. Many school districts will cover part or all of a student’s participation fee as a way of recognizing and supporting the achievement of their student’s participation in the All-State production. The most common amounts are a 50% payment ($275) and full payment. Contact your theatre teacher and/or school principal to inquire about this option. Alternatively, contact allstateproducers@ihstf.org and our staff will happily engage with your school/district administration about this fee.

   3. Scholarships. The Illinois High School Theatre Festival does have a limited number of scholarships available for students in need who are participating in the All-State production. Please have a parent/guardian contact allstateproducers@ihstf.org to inquire about this option as well.

In the end, if you want to participate in the All-State production, we will find a way to make it happen!