Sent 3/11/26: One Day to State

Hi everyone!

Quick updates and reminders and we're wishing everyone traveling today and tomorrow a safe journey.

1. Consent/Accept Forms: please have 2 completed and printed copies per attendee: one stack to turn in to us at check in and one to distribute to your students and chaperones to stuff into their badges.

2. Eventsential App - EVERYONE should download this to begin scheduling their festival.  All pre-scheduled tours, honor troupes, performances etc... are built in so everyone at your school should be able to make a custom schedule around these key sessions.

3. Chaperone Jobs - every chaperone and troupe director has been assigned a 30-minute passing period into the top of a session to greet students at the door of a specific workshop, cutoff the count at 30 for all workshops except dance which is 50 (have extras line up at the door and have teaching artist let in more if they can), and then to write down the final headcount on the slip we provide you at check in.  You can view your assigned time/session/rooms in the Job Assignment Tab of the Schedule One Sheet and More on Festival Central.  If you have absent chaperones, please have your others cover their room!

4. Weather/Illness Cancellations: We're wishing our friends from outside the Seattle lowlands area safe travels to and from State.  Unfortunately, all registration funds have already been spent on Convention Center rooms, Teaching Artists to serve 2,600 attendees, food, and swag.  We have no way of getting that money back to refund you so our hope is your students may be able to attend at least one of the two days.  If your school district cancels your travel, please seek compensation from their event cancellation insurance--we don't know how to advise beyond that as every district is different. If you are unable to attend, we'll get your box of swag to you one way or another at least. It's looking like the pass will be turning to rain this afternoon so hopefully all is well!

5. Arrival: School check-in is 8:00-9:00am Level 4 Atrium of Seattle Convention Center Arch.  Please try to arrive earlier than later so that our brief and Opening Ceremonies full of critical info can begin at 9:00am! Session 1 begins at 9:30 with free coffee and breakfast for Troupe Directors!

6. State 2026 would've cost your students about $10 more each this year if it weren't for our PLATINUM SPONSORS whose in-kind and financial contributions made State possible!  Please be sure to stop by the booths of Seattle Theatre Group (sponsor of the State Thespy Showcase), The 5th Avenue Theatre (sponsor of the Musical Mainstage Program), and Bellevue Lighting and Sound (sponsor of 800 Pike Theatre District) to find out what kinds of programs and products they offer school theatre programs state-wide!

Read about some of these incredible opportunities below and see you tomorrow in Seattle!

--

Ben Stuart

Co-Chapter Director

Washington State Thespians

www.wathespians.org/

SEATTLE THEATRE GROUP:

Seattle Theatre Group (STG) is a nonprofit arts organization and independent event promoter that operates and stewards the historic Paramount, Moore, Neptune, and 5th Avenue theatres and Kerry Hall in Seattle and an outdoor venue at Remlinger Farms in Carnation, Wash. Every year, STG presents more than 700 events that range from concerts of all genres, comedy and podcast shows, speakers, dance performances, and touring Broadway musicals with its Broadway at the Paramount series, serving a diverse community of more than 1.1 million attendees from all over the Pacific Northwest. STG's flagship Education and Community Engagement Program is at the heart of its mission, serving 60,000 students and community members through more than 500 events annually. These programs, which are largely at no cost to participants, provide opportunities to engage with artists, inspire youth and local artists through training and performance opportunities, and provide access to the arts through access initiatives. These programs deepen the significance of performances presented at STG venues. Learn more at www.stgpresents.org. 

BELLEVUE LIGHTING AND STAGE:

At BLS, we believe school theatre programs are where the next generation of artists, designers, technicians, and storytellers begin their journey. The students working backstage and on stage today will become tomorrow’s lighting designers, stage managers, engineers, educators, and creative leaders. That’s why we’re committed to supporting theatre programs across Washington with the technical resources and expertise they need to thrive.

Our team works with schools, districts, and performing arts centers to design, equip, and maintain theatre spaces that are safe, reliable, and built for both education and performance. From small black box theatres to large performing arts centers, we help create environments where students can learn real technical skills while producing meaningful work on stage.

The BLS systems integration team designs and installs complete technical theatre systems including lighting, audio, video, rigging, and stage automation. Because many members of our team come from theatre and educational production backgrounds themselves, we understand how school theatres actually operate. We focus on systems that are durable, flexible, and intuitive so teachers and students can focus on learning and creating rather than troubleshooting equipment.

In addition to new installations, BLS provides inspections, repairs, system upgrades, and preventative maintenanceto keep theatre spaces running safely and reliably. Rigging inspections, lighting troubleshooting, equipment replacements, and system modernization are all part of the support we provide to theatre programs throughout the region.

BLS also operates Gear Shop, our production supply store designed specifically for theatres and technicians. At gear.shop, teachers and students can find lighting accessories, rigging hardware, stage supplies, and technical equipment backed by knowledgeable staff who understand production environments. We also operate an in-person retail store in Seattle, and our team is available 24/7 to support working venues and school productions when unexpected technical needs arise.

Our in-house drapery shop fabricates custom stage curtains for theatres, schools, and performance venues. We build travelers, legs, borders, cycloramas, scrims, and acoustic curtains, all manufactured to specification using flame-retardant materials that can be tested and certified to meet fire safety requirements. We also fabricate event curtains and rental curtain packages for production companies and temporary performance environments.

BLS also operates a production rentals department, supporting schools and arts organizations with equipment for performances, special events, and temporary technical needs. From lighting equipment to staging and production support, our rentals team helps theatre programs deliver professional-quality productions when additional equipment is needed.

Above all, BLS is a service-first company. We’re proud to support theatre educators and the students who represent the future of our industry.

If you see us during the Washington Thespian Festival, stop by and say hello—we’d love to connect and learn more about your program.

THE 5TH AVENUE THEATRE COMPANY:

At the heart of downtown Seattle, The 5th Avenue Theatre Company is more than a place to

see world-class musicals — it’s a community hub where stories bring people together. Through a wide range of Education & Engagement programs, The 5th creates meaningful pathways for audiences of all ages to experience theatre not just as entertainment, but as connection, conversation, and possibility.

Rising Star Project

The Rising Star Project harnesses the professional expertise of The 5th Avenue Theatre

Company to mentor young artists as they develop skills, confidence, and community. Youth

ages 14—19 engage in all aspects of theatre-making from the actors, orchestra members,

theatre design and technology teams, creative teams, and arts administrators as they work

together on this year's RSP production of Jesus Christ Superstar.

Tickets are available now for performances May 28-30!

Fridays @ The 5th

Youth ages 14—19 are invited to a pre-show workshop, dinner, and a performance of shows

throughout the season. Registrations for Jesus Christ Superstar workshops on May 8 and May 15, as well as Fridays @ The 5th subscriptions for our 2026/27 season are open now! Register here

Show Talks

Show Talks invite audiences to a free conversation exploring the themes, context, and creative processes connected to each production. Join us for a complimentary reception and enhance your connection to the show!

Global Majority Night

Global Majority Night invites, Black, Indigenous, and Communities of Color to experience

theater together. Enjoy a pre-show party in the lobby with live sets provided by DJ Vitamin D.

Pride Night

In partnership with Seattle Pride, Pride Night is a pre-show celebration of allyship and support of LGBTQIA2S+ community members and partners, featuring live sets provided by DJ MIXX America.

TeenTix

Through a partnership with TeenTix, youth ages 13–19 can sign up for a FREE TeenTix pass,

granting access to $5 day-of-show tickets at over 100 arts organizations across the Puget

Sound region, including The 5th! TeenTix empowers young people to take ownership of their

arts experiences, building lifelong arts patrons and creators.

Community Ticket Program

The 5th actively partners with local Washington service organizations to expand access to live theatre. Through the Community Ticket Program, nonprofit partners receive fully funded tickets for families, individuals, and volunteers who might not otherwise be able to attend a production.