Network Thespian Troupe

Commitment

Scholars in the Network Thespian Troupe (for high school and middle school) will participate in the New York State Thespian Festival with the potential to advance to the International Thespian Festival in Indiana in the summer. Scholars will compete in the areas of acting, singing, dance, technical theater, playwriting, and more. Along with membership into the Network Thespian 

Troupe scholars will receive: 

• Credit on their transcript for the course

• Lifetime membership into the International Thespian Society

• All competition fees covered at no cost to families 

Theater scholars in the troupe are strongly recommended to also be enrolled in a Theater elective and/or club at their school's campus. This ensures that our theater artists are receiving consistent training each and every week. Scholars in the Network Theater Troupe will be expected to rehearse outside of pre-assigned rehearsal times in order to fully memorize their lines and polish their theatrical product.

Attendance

Theater scholars cannot be absent more than two rehearsals (unexcused) per year, and if are unexcused/absent from school the day of a rehearsal, they may not attend. Scholars may request an excused absence, however, these absences must be discussed and agreed upon by the Troupe Directors in advance and will impact a scholar’s eligibility for travel/high-stakes tournaments. 

**All scholars may not be used for every piece due to competition group size regulations and approved pieces being brought to compete, but every scholar will be in a minimum of one piece. Dance Team Coaches also reserve the right to remove any scholar from competing if there are issues with low-quality performance execution, professionalism, and academic and/or behavioral ineligibility.

Audition Procedures

The Network Thespian Troupe (for high school and middle school) is audition-based. Scholars will audition through their local theater teacher by submitting either video(s) of their performance work (singing, acting, and/or dancing) or a portfolio of their technical theater work (stage manager documents, lighting design plots, scholar-written plays, etc). All submissions will be managed and uploaded by the local teacher and should be no more than five minutes in length with a proper slate (scholar name, school, and grade) or no more than five supplemental technical theater documents.

Event Uniforms

All scholars will be provided with a Success Academy Theater polo they will be required to wear,  along with plain black pants (no holes, rips, or see-through material), and all black movement shoes to every rehearsal and competition.

Theater Competition Expectations 

Failing to meet any of these expectations will result in a call home to parents and/or removal from the Troupe. 

In order to ensure a safe and successful trip, please review the following day-of competition expectations with your scholar. 

• Scholars must arrive on time and prepared for all competitions. All competitions and rehearsals will be self-arrival and self-dismissal for both middle and high school scholars when taking place within the five boroughs. Any events that take place outside of these locations will have Network arranged transportation, and scholars must arrive at the pre-assigned meeting time on time with all necessary materials in hand. 

• Scholars must be in their Success Academy Theater uniform. 

• No “loser talk” is allowed at competitions. We either win or we learn. Be respectful and professional with all participants, whether they be external teachers, competitors, or competition facilitators. 

• Theater scholars should not be interacting with parents/guardians or spectators unless instructed by the coach. 

• Follow Directions: Scholars will follow directions the first time; you do not push back or challenge any adult directions. This is imperative for the safety and logistical success of our experience. 

• Be Punctual: Scholars must follow the set schedule and be at the departure location ON TIME. 

• Cell Phones and Computers: Scholars can bring cell phones and have them on, but must put them away the first time when directed by an adult. Lack of cooperation will result in having your phone taken away for the remainder of the trip. Scholars should bring SA laptops to complete homework, but must put them away when directed to.

During the competition: 

• Scholars must maintain appropriate volume levels at all times in convention and rehearsal halls. 

• Scholars may not participate in any form of roughhousing, including “play” fighting. 

• Scholars will respect the venue property and convention hall; they will not tamper with equipment, electronics, or furniture. 

• Scholars are not to leave the convention hall or rehearsal spaces unless given permission by a coach (even to the restroom). 

• During workshops scholars are expected to adhere to the same professional class behavior as in SA Theater classrooms.

Parent/Guardian Expectations

• All competitions and rehearsals are closed, meaning that parents/guardians will not be allowed to attend unless they have been assigned as a chaperone.

  • A holding room for parents/guardians will be provided at internal rehearsals. 

  • An invited dress rehearsal will be open to families at a central SA school location so they may see what scholars have been working on.

• Parents/Guardians are expected to communicate with Network Thespian Troupe leaders on a consistent basis to ensure scholar success and troubleshoot any issues that arrive.