LHS Thespians is an Educational Theatre Association Honor Society for Theatre Students. Thespians provides community to theatre students at Lawrence High School, encourages appreciation of all types of theatre and works to create community outreach and alturism. 

Determining Thespian Induction Eligibility

Mandatory school and student eligibility requirements are defined in the EdTA membership policy. Schools and students must meet all of these plus those listed below for inductions to be granted. 

ITS provides a Thespian point system to help determine induction eligibility along with Thespian point record sheets and a Thespian Induction Point System (TIPS) tool to help track each student’s points. Only the troupe director may award points. The troupe secretary is often responsible for maintaining point records and making them available for each student’s personal review. Point records are kept at the troupe level. They are not sent to the National Office.

Troupe directors are to notify students that records of their activities will be maintained and that honor society induction will be available when all criteria have been met. All induction requirements must be in writing and provided to all students involved in the school’s theatre program. 

Induction Criteria.

Grade at time of induction. Only students in grades nine through 12 (or the international equivalent) may be inducted into the high school Thespian troupe. Students in grades six through eight must be inducted into a Junior Thespian troupe. We recommend that programs that serve students in both grade ranges charter a high school troupe and a Junior Thespian troupe.

School enrollment. If a student receives primary academic coursework from a school with an active troupe, he or she may only be inducted into and receive benefits through that troupe. Troupes may induct students who attend other schools only when those schools do not have their own active troupes. See Appendix 3: Guidelines for determining student troupe affiliation below.

Thespian points. The high school Thespian point system provides the recommended number of points awarded for a specific assignment. Troupe directors may use their discretion in awarding points according to the student’s quality of work and cooperation. Quality may include the caliber of the work done and the educational value of the experience. The troupe director makes the final decision regarding the awarding of Thespian points. The point system and TIPS tool are available here.

Troupes may adopt changes to the point system to meet the unique needs of their theatre programs and students. Approved changes must be documented in the troupe constitution and shared with all theatre students.

Benefits of Thespian Induction

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

• An official Thespian induction pin.

• A personalized membership certificate and membership card.

• Log-in access to his or her member dashboard page and a variety of online benefits.

• A one-year, bimonthly subscription to the print edition of Dramatics magazine (a $38 value). The first issue arrives within six to eight weeks. They may also renew at a special member rate.

• Log-in access to Dramatics Digital from induction through the year following graduation.

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

• Special member pricing on theatre books and digital media through the online EdTA store.

• Thespian-level access to the Theatre Education Community.

• Leadership opportunities at the troupe, chapter, and national levels.

• Eligibility for scholarships, grants, and awards through EdTA and its chapters. See schooltheatre.org/ags.

• Eligibility to audition at the International Thespian Festival for admission to college theatre programs, submit original compositions to the Thespian Next Generation Works program, audition for chapter Individual Events programs, and qualify for the National Individual Events Showcase (NIES). See schooltheatre.org/festival.

• Eligibility to receive additional Thespian honors, including graduation and honor items, advancement through Thespian honor ranks, and Thespian scholar distinction. See Recognizing exceptional Thespian achievement below.

Inducted Thespian Information

To be inducted:

• Inductees must earn 10 points, all of which should be awarded for work done at the school where he or she will be inducted.  Accumulation of points will begin September of the student’s freshman year. All hours earned outside of the school will need to be verified.  

• In general, 1 point represents approximately 10 hours of excellent work. Troupe directors should use this formula in awarding points for categories not specifically listed in the recommended Thespian point awards.

• A Thespian moving to another affiliated school is entitled to transfer his or her membership. Transferring Thespians bring a minimum of 10 points with them to the new school.

• Induction points should be earned through participation in at least two productions at Lincoln East High School.

• Induction points should be earned in at least two of the categories, for example, acting and production.

• Students may earn up to 5 points toward induction through participation in community, or professional theatre; or in other activities in the performing arts. However, these points are calculated as half credit. (ex. A lead in a community full show would be worth 4 points instead of 8)

• Thespian membership will be made available on an equitable basis to all students who qualify.

To maintain active status:

• Participate in at least 2 events per school year.

• Attend ITS meetings

• Adhere to all school policies

When totaling points:

• Members that have served as more than one role in a show, may choose to count one role for points and the second role, as long as it is in a different category, for half of the assigned points.

• 5 points from outside EHS theatre may be used for induction purposes and during the year to advance levels. Outside productions are calculated at half credit, and must be verified with a note from the director, or a copy of the program listing the student’s name and role/job.

• Point totals can be updated after each EHS main stage production.

Attendance Policy 

1 Thespian Point - Attendance for Every Meeting/Workday and Volunteering

5 Meeting Points Required to Attend Thespian Festival

3 Meeting Points Required to Attend Social Events/Celebrations

Your attendance at these meetings and events are imperative. Our attendance at meetings at this time is below 70% which means communicating info to everyone is hard.

Workdays and Meetings have been on the calendar, and they are scheduled for the rest of the year. Missing them at this point is a disservice to the group and to our mission.

Lettering Requirements 

Students that meet the eligibility of Thespian induction will letter in Theatre. However, these students do not have to pay a fee to letter. So, a student could receive a letter in theatre, but elect to not pay the fee for Thespian induction. Students who are already inducted into the Thespian Society may receive a letter if they earn 10 points during the current school year.

Code of Conduct:

Punctuality: Plan for anomalies that may disrupt your arrival time by arriving early. Actors and technicians are expected to be in position, ready to go at the beginning of rehearsals. 

Notes: When you are given notes, always be gracious, even if you disagree. Say “Thank you” after every note. Gossip: You know it’s wrong. Leave the drama at home. 

Quiet: Keep the noise level down when backstage and in rehearsals. Voices carry. Absolutely no talking in the wings. 

Props: Always check your props before each show. NEVER TOUCH A PROP THAT’S NOT YOURS. ACTORS 

Actors:

• Honor your commitment to the show 

• Dress appropriate. Wear the right shoes. 

• Always give your best possible performance 

• Do not cut/color your hair or change your appearance

 • Take proper care of all costumes and props 

• Be on time for rehearsals and performances 

• Be respectful of the theatre. Do not leave trash. 

• Fully cooperate with the SMs and Ads 

• Respect technicians. They’re not your slaves. 

• Notify Director or SM if you will be late or will miss a rehearsal BEFORE rehearsal is scheduled to begin

Technicians: 

• Honor your commitment to the show

• Be on time for work nights and rehearsals 

• Be respectful of the theatre. Do not leave trash. 

• Take proper care of all tools/equipment 

• No headphones while working 

• No horseplay in the shop or in the theater 

• Always follow safety protocol 

• Fully cooperate with Tech Director, SM, ADs & Designers 

• Respect actors. They’re not that bad. 

• Notify Director or SM if you will be late or will miss a rehearsal or work night BEFORE it begins