Troupe 8780 is the honors side of the Riverdale Ridge Theatre Company. It is the place where all the hard work, creativity, and love for theatre gets recognized and celebrated! Whether you act, design, build, or run things behind the scenes, this is where your dedication to theatre shines!
Troupe members grow their theatre skills, support each other, and earn special recognition for their achievements — including official induction into the International Thespian Society and the chance to earn honor ranks and scholar awards. Ready to step into the spotlight? You’re in the right place!
ITS is the honors program to recognize excellence in theatre education. Membership is granted for advanced work in theatre arts.
Thespian Points are awarded to students for their efforts in the program using the following criteria and the guidelines from the International Thespian Society.
Role
Each role and responsibility within a production is awarded a different level of points based on level of responsibility. The larger the role, the more points awarded. ITS bases this awarding off of the assumption that some roles require more time commitments than others. Roles and responsibilities are associated with both performance and technical participation in a production.
Production Length
ITS recognizes points based on the type of show and the amount of time dedicated to the work. For example, a one act production will take less time than a full length production, thereby earning less points. Additionally, ITS recognizes contributions outside the production environment; concert and live event support, advocacy opportunities, leadership roles, etc.
Quality
Points are awarded based on quality service to a production. The quality of contributions is considered by Farner on a case by case basis. Farner looks at things like build day attendance, behavior, general attendance, etc. to determine if +/- points are necessary. If you see "neutral" in a row, it means you completed your role as expected. If you see "+" in a row, it means Farner saw additional supportive contributions. If you see "-" in a row, it means Farner saw struggles in your completion of your role.
Each RRTC participant is shared a digital Thespian Points Tracker sheet in their Google Drive. They should be able to search in their Google Drive for "Thespian Points Tracker - Last Name, First Name". The digital Thespian Points Tracker sheet keeps track of all Thespian points earned over their time with the Riverdale Ridge Theatre Company.
Lettering
Any student who reaches a minimum of 10 thespian points within a school year earns an RRHS letter. Students who have not yet lettered in anything will receive their chenille patch and a bar pin. Students who have already received their chenille patch will receive additional bar pins. Students who letter in theatre for three or more years earn cords to wear at graduation.
Additionally, students who earn significant benchmarks of thespian points can receive pins from ITS for their patch for these honors.
Extended Lettering and Recognition can also result in Graduation Regalia.
Troupe Induction
Outside of RRHS recognition, any student who meets the minimum 10 thespian points is eligible to be inducted into the International Thespian Society as part of Troupe 8780. This minimum does not need to be met within a school year; so, students can work towards this goal over multiple years.
Induction to the honor society includes access to additional experiences such as attending and competing at ThesCon each December.
Article 1: Meetings
Section 1. Active Inducted Thespians are required to attend all Quarterly Thespian Meetings. If a student is unable to attend, they should notify the Troupe Director in advance via email. Members who do not attend or confirm with the Troupe Director will be noted and placed on probation.
Section 2. A student thespian arriving late to or leaving early from meetings or rehearsals without a reason considered valid prior to the meeting by the troupe director will be noted in the official minutes. After two occurrences of this, the student thespian will be marked as having an unexcused absence.
Section 3. Annual meeting dates and times will be communicated regularly. Changes will be posted by lunchtime the day before the meeting.
Section 4. Irregular attendance indicates a lack of interest; therefore, any member absent to two (2) Riverdale Ridge Theatre Company events per school year shall be automatically suspended from troupe activities. The troupe director has sole authority to reverse the suspension. Emergency scenarios will be communicated with the troupe director.
Section 5. Should a student thespian returning from a suspension miss two (2) additional events they shall be automatically withdrawn from the thespian troupe.
Section 6. Complete Meeting Attendance shall be considered in the Thespian point award system. 1 point per semester maximum. Additional event attendance will be awarded points at the discretion of the troupe director.
Section 7. Absences shall accumulate for only one school year at a time
NEW THIS YEAR
Attendance at Quarterly Thespian Meetings will earn .5 Thespian Points per Meeting.
For a total of 2 points in the school year!
Quarter 1
Friday, 8.29.2025
4:45 - 7:30pm
RRHS Auditorium
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Getting Involved
Meet n' Greet
Quarter 2
Friday, 10.10.2025
4:45 - 7:30pm
RRHS Auditorium
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Fringe Festival Workshop
MORE DETAILS TO COME
Quarter 3
Friday, 1.9.2026
4:45 - 7:30pm
RRHS Auditorium
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MORE DETAILS TO COME
Quarter 4
Friday, 4.3.2026
4:45 - 7:30pm
RRHS Auditorium
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MORE DETAILS TO COME
Article 5: Officers
Section 1. Duties: Troupe officer duties are defined below. The troupe director may assign other duties.
Thespians are eligible to fill the following offices...
A. ARTISTIC DIRECTOR, The artistic director is the primary person responsible for the direction and promotion of the company. The artistic director's responsibilities can include (but are not limited to) choosing student projects, advocating for projects and the program to administration, recruiting new members, etc. Artistic directors work closely with the troupe director, and contribute to the artistic evaluation of projects and productions to be included in promotional, funding, and press materials. Artistic directors are frequently regarded as the artistic representatives of theatre companies and are often required to speak about their theatre to the press. This role will work closely with the Managing Director. A student interested in this position must be an upperclassman and have served in an officer position previously.
B. MANAGING DIRECTOR, This role is responsible for assisting in the coordination of company events including Company Caravans, Back-to-School Night, 8th Grade Check It Out Night, etc. This role will work closely with the Artistic Director. A student interested in this position must be an upperclassman and have served in an officer position previously.
C. PRODUCTION MANAGER, This role will handle all meeting minutes and communication of company business to troupe members.
D. COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER, This role will assist in the creation and distribution of marketing materials for all Riverdale Ridge Theatre Company events. This role will also be responsible for documenting events and activities for social media and the end-of-the-year slideshow.
E. CLASS REPRESENTATIVES, These positions represent their classmates voices in officer meetings and communicate out any important news. These positions are also responsible for recruitment activities.
Section 2. Officer appointments are to be made by the troupe director. Student members who are interested in an officer role must complete the RRTC Leadership Application.
Section 3. Officers shall be installed at the induction ceremony at the end of the academic school year.