HONOR TROUPE INFORMATION

Honor Troupe Point System and Guidelines for Junior and Senior Thespian Troupes

(For use in documenting the 2024-2025 school year)

Through the Honor Troupe program, Florida Thespians seeks to recognize troupes for their many achievements and endeavors during the school year – July 1, 2023-June 30, 2024. There is no limit to the number of troupes who can be recognized each year. 

Below are the guidelines for awarding points to troupes. To be evaluated and considered for an Honor Troupe award, the troupe must submit a portfolio, using this template, to present evidence of the troupe’s accomplishments and endeavors.  Portfolios that do not follow the format of the slideshow template will NOT be accepted and scored.

The portfolio reflecting the troupe’s activities during the 2023-2024 school year must be submitted electronically to lori.sessions@floridathespians.com. Junior Thespian troupe submissions are due by 11:59pm on December 14, 2024. Senior Thespian troupe submissions are due by 11:59pm on January 17, 2025.

Troupes will receive word of their Honor Troupe award designation at the 2025 Florida State Thespian Festival. Each school will receive a certificate and a letter will be addressed to their principal celebrating their achievement  Please organize your portfolio into the following categories, including descriptions and explanations. Recognition will be categorized as follows:

Portfolio submission must be organized using the structure and order of the Google Slides Template provided. Each entry in the portfolio must include sufficient accompanying evidence or documentation.

Additions and corrections to the portfolio slideshow may not be made once the portfolio is submitted. 

PORTFOLIO SECTIONS

SECTION 1: Thespian Standards

Must show evidence of each for the portfolio to be accepted and scored.

• 2023-2024 Troupe Inducted Thespians

• Troupe awarded and recorded students Thespian points using an established Thespian point system based on the EdTA guidelines. (Show evidence that the Troupe awards points properly and maintains a points record)

• Troupe conducted Thespian Troupe meetings (Suggested evidence: announcement of meeting dates, attendance records, agendas, photos, emails, social media posts.  Meeting dates are an important inclusion.)

SECTION 2: Theatre Productions                                                        

Evidence/documentation might include playbill pages, posters, tickets, renderings, design photos, news articles, etc.

MAXIMUM VALUE: 30 POINTS

• Full-length production (5 points) [Junior Thespians can submit JR style shows]

  • Student-directed/choreographed (+1) (This does not mean that a student assisted the teacher but served as the principal director or choreographer. Show playbill listing as evidence) (Junior Thespians can have students direct or choreograph 1 scene/song to earn the point.)

  • Presented a preview or promotional performance of scene/selections (+1)

  • Taking the show on tour or off-campus. Does not include a competition. (+3)

  • Original script composed by student(s) (+5)

  • Student-designed technical element (MUST provide designs and playbill listings as evidence) (+3)

• One-Act production (30-60 minutes in length)  (3 points)

  • Student-directed/choreographed (+1) (This does not mean that a student assisted the teacher but served as the principal director or choreographer. Show playbill listing as evidence) (Junior Thespians can have students direct or choreograph 1 scene/song to earn the point.)

  • Original script composed by student(s) (+3)

  • Student-designed technical element (MUST provide designs and playbill listings as evidence) (+2)

• One-Act production (10-29 minutes in length)  (2 points)

  • Student-directed/choreographed (+1) (This does not mean that a student assisted the teacher but served as the principal director or choreographer. Show playbill listing as evidence) (Junior Thespians can have students direct or choreograph 1 scene/song to earn the point.)

  • Taking the show on tour or off-campus. (+1)

  • Original script composed by student(s) (+2)

  • Student-designed technical element (MUST provide designs and playbill listings as evidence) (+1)

• Class project with public performance (2 points)

  • Student-directed/choreographed (+1) (This does not mean that a student assisted the teacher but served as the principal director or choreographer. Show playbill listing as evidence) (Junior Thespians can have students direct or choreograph 1 scene/song to earn the point.)

  • Taking the show on tour or off-campus. (+1)

  • Original script composed by student(s) (+2)

  • Student-designed technical element (MUST provide designs and playbill listings as evidence) (+1)

• Dinner Theatre production-show featuring a full meal provided to patrons (4 points)

• Dinner Theatre production-show featuring a small meal/desserts provided to partons (3 points)

• Radio/audio play (3 points)

• Variety showcase for the public (3 points)

• Improvisation show for the public (2 points)

• Coffee House or Open-Mic Night for the public or for students only (2 points)

• Hosting/sponsoring a talent show or having 5 or more Thespians in a talent show (3 points)

• Other production (1-5 points) (Provide a full explanation and documentation)

(These points/this show cannot be counted elsewhere on the application)

SECTION 3: Community and School Service                                          

MAXIMUM VALUE: 20 POINTS

• Troupe creates and leads an original community service/improvement effort (5 points) (This refers specifically to a service project created by and conducted by the Troupe that is NOT under the auspices of another organization such as the United Way.  However, a local state or national organization such as Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS or your area food bank may be the recipient of the original service project’s efforts)

• Thespian Troupe participates with other school groups in a school service project (3 points) (This refers specifically to troupe members participating with other school organizations in an effort to serve the school)

• Thespian Troupe participates with other school groups in a school service project (3 points)

• Thespian Troupe participates in a local, state or national or international community service project (3 points) (For example, hosting a blood drive for the American Red Cross, ringing bells for the Salvation Army, collecting toys for Toys for Tots)

• Troupe makes a simple monetary donation over $100 to a worthy organization or cause (3 points)

• Troupe conducts an event to raise funds over $100 for BC/EFA  (3 points) (This may be counted under community service or troupe participation but not both)

• Troupe conducts an event to raise funds over $100 for Florida Thespian’s SOS Fund (3 points) (This may be counted under community service or troupe participation but not both)

• 5 or more Thespians attend a District Thespian Fundraising Event (This may be counted under community service or troupe participation but not both) (3 points)

SECTION 4: Troupe Participation 

MAXIMUM VALUE: 30 POINTS

• Troupe conducts a public Thespian Induction Ceremony  (3 points)

• Troupe/program conducts a year’s-end award program/event (not public) (2 points)

• Troupe conducts a theatre-related field trip (3 points)

• Thespian Troupe workshop with Guest Artist (2 points)

• Thespian Troupe planned activity (2 points)

• Thespian Troupe Fundraiser for the theatre program (2 points)

• Participation in Cappies or another criticism or awards program.  It must involve student criticism and/or student rehearsals in the gala. (1-2 points)

• District Thespian Festival

  • Troupe (5 or more) attends a District Thespian Festival (3 points)

  • Performed in Thespys at the District Festival (1 point per Thespy)

  • Performed a One-Act at the District Festival (1 point)

  • Troupe hosts a festival (1 point)

• State Thespian Festival

  • Troupe (5 or more) attends the State Festival (5 points)

  • Performed in Thespys at the State Festival (1 point per Thespy)

  • Performed a One-Act at the State Festival (2 points)

  • Performed a Mainstage at the State Festival (5 points)

  • Student participates in the college or scholarship auditions (1 point per student)

• International Thespian Festival

  • Troupe (5 or more ) attends the International Thespian Festival (5 points)

  • Performed in Thespys at the International Thespian Festival (1 point per Thespy)

  • Performed a One-Act at the International Thespian Festival (2 points)

• Troupe (5 or more) attends a state/national theatre conference (Other than Florida Thespian Festival)

• Troupe has student on the State Board (1 point)

• Troupe participates in the Honor Troupe program the previous year (2 points)

• New innovative troupe participation project ( 1-5 points) (Must provide explanation)

• Troupe Director attends the FATE Conference in October 2023 (include documents as evidence) (3 points)

• Troupe Director attends the 2023 EdTA Conference in September (include documents as evidence) (3 points)

SECTION 5: Theatre Outreach and Advocacy

MAXIMUM VALUE: 20 POINTS

• 5 or more troupe members attend another school/troupe’s production (2 points)

• Event or activity conducted to highlight a social-issue aspect (3 points)

• A production or project involves a cross-curricular support or collaboration within the school or the community (Points are earned either by the amount of projects or the scope of an individual project.) (1-5 points) 

• Troupe creates and distributes an original cross-curriculum packet or a study guide for a production ( 2 points)

• Troupe/program conducts a public year’s-end award program/event (2 points)

• Troupe creates a promotional lobby display for a production (1point) (This refers to a display that features photos of the cast and crew, themed decorations, merchandise advertising, season advertising, etc.)

• Troupe creates a dramaturgical lobby display for a production (3 points) (This refers to a museum-like presentation that displays information related to contextual elements of the show, its history, the history of past productions, the playwright/composer, the design of certain production elements, and other dramaturgical considerations.)

• Troupe hosts a professional touring company (1 point)

• Troupe members visit an elementary or middle school classroom for dramatic activities or coaching (1 point)

• Troupe creates and conducts a theatre skills workshop for younger children (2 points)

• Theatre/program conducts a theatre camp for 5 days or longer for younger children ( 5 points)

• Troupe creates a “Theatre in Our Schools” Month project throughout March of 2024 (3 points) 

• Senior Troupe supports a Junior Thespian Troupe or Festival (3 points)

• School sponsors a school drama club for non-Thespians (1 point)

• Troupe sponsors a drama club for a local middle school or elementary school ( 2 points)

• Thespians perform/tech (unpaid) in a community theatre production (Points earned are per student involved.) (1-5 points)

• Troupe participates in a parade or community event (1 point)

• Thespian graduates wear Thespian identifier (stole, tassel, medallion, cord, etc.) at graduation (1 point)

• Troupe makes a theatre advocacy presentation to a civic organization or governmental body at any other time than March (2 points)

• Other outreach project (Points earned are either by the amount of projects or the scope of an individual project.) (1-5 points)

• Junior Thespian Troupes have students that go on to become inducted Thespians in the programs at their high schools (1 point)