Jr. Thespians

What is the International Thespian Society?

The International Thespian Society (ITS), founded in 1929, is an honorary organization for high school and middle school theatre students located at more than 4,200 affiliated secondary schools across America, Canada, and abroad. The mission of ITS is to honor student achievement in the theatre arts. High school inductees are known as Thespians and junior high/middle school inductees are known as Junior Thespians. ITS is a division of the Educational Theatre Association (EdTA).

What is the Educational Theatre Association?

The Educational Theatre Association (EdTA) is a national nonprofit organization with more than 100,000 student and professional members. EdTA’s mission is shaping lives through theatre education by: honoring student achievement in theatre and enriching their theatre education experience; supporting teachers by providing professional development, networking opportunities, resources, and recognition; and influencing public opinion that theatre education is essential and builds life skills. EdTA operates the International Thespian Society (ITS), an honorary organization that has inducted more than two million theatre students since its founding in 1929. EdTA also publishes Dramatics, a monthly magazine for high school theatre students, and Teaching Theatre, a quarterly journal for theatre education professionals.

The difference between the school’s Junior Thespian troupe and the theatre program

The Junior 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.

The term of troupe membership

The troupe membership term is August 1 through the following July 31, the ITS school year. Troupes chartered or reinstated August 1 through June 30 become active through the end of the current school year (July 31). Fees are not prorated for partial years. Troupes chartering late in the school year are still required to pay renewal dues for the following school year by October 15. Troupes chartered or reinstated in July have their memberships extended through July 31 of the following school year.

Troupe membership status

The troupe’s membership status reflects the school’s relationship with the International Thespian Society. Troupe status does not affect individual Junior Thespian benefits that come directly from the National Office (membership cards and certificates, proud parent stickers, and induction pins) but may affect benefits that require a troupe director’s authorization, including induction and the purchase of honor items.

· Active status. Active troupes have met all membership requirements and enjoy full benefits.

· Inactive status. Inactive troupes have not met one or more membership requirements and their membership benefits are suspended temporarily until these requirements are met. These troupes are informed of this status and the term of the grace period, the date by which the requirements must be met. Inactive troupes that meet the requirements before the end of the grace period are returned to active status without an additional reinstatement fee.

· Withdrawn status. Inactive troupes that do not meet membership requirements by the end of the grace period are withdrawn from active status. Withdrawn troupes have their benefits removed indefinitely and must pay an additional reinstatement fee to be returned to active status. Troupes that remain withdrawn past the end of the current school year must also submit a reinstatement form complete with troupe director and administrator’s signatures.

Benefits of Junior Thespian induction

Membership in the only international honor society for junior high/middle school theatre arts students—a recognized demonstration of achievement and a valuable addition to college and employment applications.

An official Junior Thespian induction pin.

A personalized membership certificate.

A personalized membership card.

A bumper sticker that reads: Proud parent of a theatre arts honor student.

Ability to begin their high school careers with half of the Thespian points required for high school induction.

Leadership opportunities at the troupe and chapter levels (per chapter policy).

Eligibility to participate in individual events at chapter conferences and the National Individual Events Showcase (NIES) at Festival (per chapter policy).

Eligibility to receive Junior Thespian honor items (medallions, point stars, etc.).

Eligibility to receive Junior Thespian scholar distinction for academic achievement.

Additional student opportunities

Chapter festivals/conferences. Most EdTA/ITS chapters conduct an annual Thespian and/or Junior Thespian festival or conference. Most include performance opportunities for troupes and individuals and various workshops. The chapter director will provide information about this and any other chapter activities.

Junior Thespian Festivals. Each year EdTA produces a three-day weekend festival for middle school theatre students. Locations change annually to allow students from different regions to participate. Junior Thespian Festivals are designed to address the needs of the emerging theatre student in a safe environment with others just like themselves. Students participate in workshops on topics such as acting, improv, dance, scene painting, and stage combat. There are many opportunities to perform and enjoy the performances of others. Registration materials are mailed to Junior Thespian troupe directors each fall and are available on the EdTA website as well.

State chapter student leadership. In addition to the leadership opportunities available to Junior Thespian students within their troupe, some chapters permit Junior Thespians to seek and hold office at the chapter level. EdTA encourages each chapter to conduct leadership training and to hold an annual election for chapter student officers. These students join their adult board members in planning and running chapter activities. Junior Thespians interested in serving as student officers should contact their chapter director for more information. See schooltheatre.org/statechapters.

Troupe Meetings

Troupe meetings will be held once a week, or at the discretion of the troupe director (Ms. D’Avila). Students must attend meetings regularly to maintain their status as an active member in their troupe. If students are unable to attend meetings, they should contact their troupe director.

Troupe Induction

Upon acceptance, students will be notified of the date, time, and location of their induction ceremony. Parents and guardians are encouraged, but not required, to attend induction. If a student cannot attend induction, they must speak to their troupe director immediately.