Embedded Files
About Washington Junior Thespians
About Washington Junior Thespians
Junior Thespians is a division of the International Thespian Society (ITS) specifically for middle school students (grades 6-8) involved in theatre arts. An honor society that recognizes and rewards students for their dedication and participation in theatre, WA State Junior Thespians provides opportunities for students to enhance their theatre skills, promote excellence in theatre, and connect with other theatre loving Middle School students across Washington State.
Julie Olsen
Julie Olsen
An MFA graduate of the University of Washington School of Drama’s Professional Actor Training, Julie is heads the theatre program at Assumption-St. Bridget School in Seattle. A WA Thespians Executive Board member, Julie chairs the Washington State Junior Thespian Conference.
Adjudicators
Teaching Artists
Open Water Registration
Indeah Harris
Indeah Harris
Indeah Harris now serves on the Executive Board as the secretary and has contributed to the DEIA as co-chair and Junior Thespian Committee, expanding access and representation in educational theatre. Former professional actress, earned her Masters of Education from Pacific Lutheran University, launching a decade of building a superior-rated drama program (6-12) at Harrison Preparatory School.
Event Support
Treasurer
Andrea Sylvester
Andrea Sylvester
Theatre Arts Educator since 2009, with a Masters in Theatre Education. Andrea Sylvester is the director at Nelsen Middle School in Renton WA. With a fresh new troupe and joining the Jr Board in 2022, she believes with a little bit of story and confidence, all kids can find the stage and live with joy!
andrea.sylvester@wathespians.org
Festival Registration
Open Water Registration
Dorothy Rosenthal Pierce
Dorothy Rosenthal Pierce
Performer & Educator and proud Honor Thespian herself, Dorothy has developed a year-round program with Edmonds Heights K-12. Their program currently has over 75 inducted 6th-12th grade Thespians,
dorothy@wathespians.org
Teacher Troupe Support
Becky Gil
Becky Gil
Becky Gil is the Theatre teacher at Willows Preparatory School. This is her 5th year at Willows and her 4th year on the Junior Thespian board. Becky started our JSTO program 3 years ago and serves as the JSTO faculty advisor. Her 6-12th grade program at Willows earned Bronze Honor Troupe in 2025. She is passionate about all things theatre and hopes to instill that passion in her students!
JSTO Advisor
Site Director
Paul Hill
Paul Hill
Paul is excited to join the board this year! He is the theater director at Mason Middle School in Tacoma. He has entered into his 3rd decade of being involved in theater. His passion lies in helping students find their passion in the theater arts.
phill@wathespians.org
Site Director
Kathryn Carter
Kathryn Carter
Ms. Carter received a Bachelor of Arts in theater from Southern Oregon University, a Master of Fine Arts in acting from the University of Montana, and a Master of Arts in teaching from Western Governors University. As a Theatre teacher working with young learners, here mission is to inspire each student to discover a creative pursuit they truly love and feel passionate about. She believes that having an artistic outlet is essential to human growth and emotional well-being. Here goal is to introduce students to a wide variety of creative forms, giving them the opportunity to explore, experiment, and connect with different modes of expression. By doing so, she hopes they find meaningful ways to channel their creativity, manage stress and cultivate a lifelong relationship with the arts.
kathryn@wathespians.org
Board Member
FAQ
FAQ
What has changed and why?
Who Should I contact & when?
Who Should I contact & when?
In order to make communication smooth, please click the blue button to contact the board member above. They are ready to answer specific questions
Festival Registration- Your troupe or school would like to attend Jr. Festival or be adjudicated at Jr. Thespys.
Open Water Registration- Your individual students or groups of students must be added to this online system to participate in Jr. Thespys.
Site Director- Supporting questions about schedules, directions, what to know-before you go.
Adjudicators- Supports adults who are trained to adjudicate for our Jr. Thespys event. Also supports teachers with rubric language for Jr. Thespys.
Teaching Artists- Finds and supports teaching artists for Jr. Festival.
Teacher Troupe Support- Supporting NEW and existing troupe directors to get signed up on schooltheatre.org (EdTA site). To understand the benefits and ways to create a strong and lasting troupe.
Event Support- Day of event support guiding participants and supporting check-in.
Festival
Festival
This year, the Jr. Thespian Festival returns to beautiful CAPTIAL HIGH SCHOOL in Olympia, WA. This event will have workshops for both PERFORMERS & TECH students. In addition we'll be treated to Capital High School's fall production..
At the festival, students and teachers who are new to Thespys will have opportuniites to learn more about how Jr. Thespys adjudication works.. Actors and technicians who have material ready for review will have the opportunity to. workshop Thespys entries for verbal feedback from professional adjudicators. In both cases, ur goal is to help you and your teacher gain a positive and thorough understanding of the rubric and how adjudicators use it to score your work.
You may attend Festival only or plan to join us at Showcase too. Cost and schedule are posted on the EVENTS page.
Registration is DUE SEPTEMBER 29th for FESTIVAL
Showcase
Showcase
As a separate FREE event. Showcase is an opportunity for your school to share their work (WIPS/CUTTINGS) along side THESPY entries that you may have videotaped for submission for formal adjudication and scoring. All ITF qualifiers will be notified via email if they are superior rated or not and eligible to compete at the international level.
You may attend Showcase and be scored for adjudication for the registration fee of $45 (Jr. Thespian) or $60 (Future Thespian). Cost and schedule are posted on the EVENTS page.
Registration for adjudication interest, is DUE DECEMBER 4th for SHOWCASE.
Are there still Jr. Thespys?
Are there still Jr. Thespys?
Yes. We are back to IN-PERSON during our Jr. Thespys & SHOWCASE.
We will also have feedback and workshopping skills during our Festival in the fall. Subsequently, students who wish to submit their entries Nationally for formal adjudication and scoring. You may have their entries video taped at our Showcase event. Students may also video tape at home and submit their video for the adjudication fee of $45 (Jr. Thespian) or $60 (Future Thespian)
Registration is due SEPTEMBER 29th along with the Festival, even if you are only attending Showcase to be adjudicated.
Why has Thespys changed?
Why has Thespys changed?
As educators, we feel this new approach will help students gain a deeper understanding of the rubric as they develop their skills. We want them to feel equipped for success as they continue their theatre journey into High School programs and beyond. Additionally we wanted to make sure cost was equitable for all WA state schools.
Why is all Registration due September 29th?
Why is all Registration due September 29th?
The two events are meant to show progress in each students theatre skill. We hope that all students who are interested in being adjudicated will bring their piece to Festival first, to receive feedback. This educational step of understanding the rubric for each performer & technician allows each to continue to deepen their skills before scoring.
We understand that committing to a January event in October is challenging. We want our students to know they have the time to prepare after registration, but the commitment helps us to have the event.
No cost registration if your school is simply coming to Showcase to perform WIPS or Cuttings.
How do I read my invoice?
How do I read my invoice?
Please make sure you register an email that is consistently checked. Please make sure you are the current Troupe or School Director. If you are new, please make sure you let us know on the registration google form.
Page updated
Report abuse