International Thespian Society
 | |
| Abbreviation | ITS |
|---|---|
| Motto | "Act well your part; there all the honor lies." |
| Formation | 1929 |
| Type | NGO |
| Purpose | Dramatical Arts |
| Location |
|
Official language | American English |
| Website | http://schooltheatre.org/society |
The International Thespian Society is an honorary organization for high-school theatre students. Currently there are approximately 100,000 active members serving in over 3,900 schools working alongside the 4,600 professional members involved with the society across the United States, Canada, and abroad.[1]
Foundation
The International Thespian Society was founded in 1929 in Fairmont, West Virginia.[2] Originally named National Thespians the society was founded by Dr. Paul Opp, Earnest Bavely and Harry Leaper. National Thespians is an honorary organization for high school theater students who earn membership by working hard and excelling within their schools theater program. This non-secret,non-social organization consists of troupes of students from different school across the nation.The first troupe was formed by Dr Earl Blank at Natrona County High School which is located in Casper Wyoming.
1.2 History
At the end of the 1928-1929 school year there are 71 troupes across 26 states. Later that year in October the first issue of The High School Thespian,”official organ of National Thespians” was Published. The High School Thespian is the magazine that keeps the troupes connected and informed on new rules, different events,plays and costume/makeup designs. The National Thespian headquarters was moved to Cincinnati during the year 1935. During that year the society is also renamed The National Thespian Dramatic Honor Society.In June 1941 at Indiana University, the society held its first National High school Drama Conference and Play Production Festival which lasted 6 days and becomes a bi-annual event. ”("History”)In October 1944 The High school Thespian was given the new name of Dramatics. One year later, October 1945 The National Thespian Dramatic Honor Society is again renamed the National Thespian Society. ”("History”) For the 32nd International Theater Arts conference a new location is obtained and the conference is held on the campus of Ball State University. In 1982 The conference is renamed the Thespian Festival and begins its annual schedule. The Educational Theater Association was created in 1989. Currently there are approximately 100,000 active members serving in over 3,900 schools working alongside the 4,600 professional members involved with the society.
Mission and Vision
The mission of ITS is to honor student excellence in the theater arts; its motto is, "Act well your part; there all the honor lies." by Alexander Pope. It is a division of the Educational Theatre Association.[3]
Relationship with Students
The ITS inducts high school students active in theater each fall or spring, with members earning points towards a higher rank.[4] The International thespian society honors students who do work in all different aspects of theatre. Such as Build crew, stage crew, make up tech, costume designer, lighting tech, sound tech, actors, playwrights, directors, choreographers, vocal directors, financial directors, marketing, ushers. If you put in hard work in order to make a production possible then there is a space for you with in the society. To be inducted you must earn 10 points by working within your high school or middle school theatre programs.
3.2 Point System
| Role | Length One Act | Length Full Show |
|---|---|---|
| Acting: Major role | 4 | 8 |
| Acting:Minor role | 3 | 5 |
| Acting: Walk-on | 1 | 2 |
| Acting: Chorus | 1 | 3 |
| Acting: Dancer | 1 | 3 |
| Acting: Understudy | 1 | 2 |
| Production Stage Manager | 4 | 8 |
| Stage crew | 2 | 4 |
| Lighting Technician | 3 | 6 |
| Lighting Crew | 2 | 3 |
| Set Designer | 4 | 5 |
| Set construction crew | 3 | 5 |
| Costumer | 3 | 6 |
| Costume crew | 2 | 5 |
| Properties manager | 3 | 5 |
| Properties crew | 2 | 3 |
| Sound Technician | 3 | 5 |
| Video Editor | 1.5 | 2 |
| Video crew | 1.5 | 3 |
| Make up manager | 3 | 5 |
| Rehearsal Prompter | 2 | 4 |
| Pianist | 3 | 6 |
| Musicians | 2 | 3 |
| Business manager | 4 | 6 |
| Business Crew | 2 | 4 |
| Publicity Manager | 3 | 5 |
| Publicity crew | 2 | 3 |
| Ticket Manager | 2 | 4 |
| Ticket Crew | 1 | 3 |
| House Manager | 2 | 4 |
| House Crew | 1 | 2 |
| Ushers | 1 | 2 |
| Programs | 1 | 3 |
| Program Crew | 1 | 2 |
| Directing Director | 4 | 8 |
| Assistant Director | 3 | 6 |
| Vocal Director | 3 | 6 |
| Assistant Vocal Director | 3 | 4 |
| Video Producer/Director | 2 | 5 |
| Orchestra or Band Director | 3 | 6 |
| Assistant Orchestra or Band Director | 2 | 5 |
| Choreographer | 4 | 7 |
| Assistant Choreographer | 3 | 5 |
| Writing: Original Play (produced) | 5 | 8 |
| Writing: Original Radio Script (produced) | 4 | 6 |
| Writing: Original TV Script (produced) | 4 | 6 |
| Writing: Original Play ( unproduced) | 1 | 2 |
| Writing: Original Radio Script (unproduced) | 0.5 | 1.5 |
| Writing: Original TV Script (unproduced) | 0.5 | 1.5 |
| Oral interpretation | 2 | |
| Duet Acting scenes | 2 | |
| Participation in Theatre Festival/ Competition | 3 | |
| Attending a performance or festival | 1 | |
| Assembly Program | 1 | |
| President | 6 | |
| Vice President | 5 | |
| Secretary | 4 | |
| Treasurer | 4 | |
| Clerk | 4 | |
| Website Development / main tenancy | 4 | |
| Other | 2 |
Award Point System
| Rank | Points needed |
|---|---|
| Membership | 10 |
| One star | 20 |
| Two Stars | 30 |
| Three Stars | 40 |
| Four Stars | 50 |
| Honor Bar | 60 |
Officers
The International Thespian Officers (ITO) are student leaders, elected annually at the Leadership Conference, a training event for leaders at the troupe, state, and international level held at the International Thespian Festival. There are six ITO offices: a Chair/International Liaison, an officer from each of the four Thespian regions of the USA, and a Webmaster-Secretary.[5] In some schools there are 8 officers, President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Web Master, Historian, Tech Representative and Publicity.[6][7]
Representatives
The International Thespian Officers is a group of student members of the International Thespian Society who are elected by their peers to serve as the voice of the student membership of the organization. They bring the needs of Thespians and suggestions for policy and service changes to the attention of the Educational Theatre Association Board, serve as an integral part of the leadership training program, and represent the Society and take an active role at student-oriented functions such as chapter conferences and the annual International Thespian Festival. The International Thespian Officers remain connected with Thespians from across the country through their website.
Festivals and Events
Festivals are held annually, at the district, state and national levels. The season culminates with the International Thespian Festival, held at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln each June.[8] At "Festival", the "Chapter Select Showcase" showcases troupes qualifying from their respective State Thespian Festivals who have previously qualified from their respective District Thespian Festivals.[9] Main Stage is where adjucators watch shows from the various middle and high school groups in front of an audience of about 3,000, in the Lied Center for Performing Arts. There are auditions for national cast productions, as well as individual events.[10] The Individual Events offered at the Thespian Festival are monologue, duet acting, ensemble acting, solo musical, duet musical, group musical, pantomime, lighting design, scenic design, publicity design, costume design, costume construction, stage management, and short film. Workshops and performances fill the daily schedules of Thespians, while dances and themed chaperone dinners occupy the evenings. Additionally, High School Juniors are given the opportunity to audition for dozens of colleges and universities, and Seniors are given college scholarship opportunities. At the high school level, students can reach Life member status, and receive a bronzed membership card and Pass, for free admission to all high school productions for life.[11]
Junior International Thespian Society
There is also a Jr. International Thespian Society (or Jr. ITS) for Middle School in grades 6-8.
- 2009 - Tupelo, Mississippi
- 2010 - Gainesville, Florida
- 2011 - Bexley, Ohio
- 2012 - Denver, Colorado
- 2013 - Augusta, Georgia
- 2014 - Dallas, Texas
Troupes
The list of troupes is shown in the table below.[12]
References
- ↑ "International Thespian Society - Cedarburg School District". Cedarburg.k12.wi.us. Retrieved 2014-08-24.
- ↑ "Aliso Niguel Theatre Company - INTERNATIONAL THESPIAN SOCIETY". Anhsdrama.com. Retrieved 2014-08-24.
- ↑ "Thespian Awards « Cypress Ranch Theatre | The Backstage Pass". Cyranchtheatre.org. Retrieved 2014-08-24.
- ↑ "Volunteer Spotlight: Thespians". Broadway Cares. 2013-11-14. Retrieved 2014-08-24.
- ↑ "Cache County School District". Ccsdut.org. Retrieved 2014-08-24.
- ↑ "May/June 2013 | Mercy High School". Mhsmi.org. Retrieved 2014-08-24.
- ↑ "Evergreen Valley High School: News Archive". Evhs.schoolloop.com. Retrieved 2014-08-24.
- ↑ "Brent International School Manila | Recent Events". Brent.edu.ph. Retrieved 2014-08-24.
- ↑ "Professional Prompt Book for Audition". SMNetwork.org. Retrieved 2014-08-24.
- ↑ Just a High School Play - E. Eugene Perry - Google Books. Books.google.co.uk. Retrieved 2014-08-24.
- ↑ "Honor Organizations Chartered forNCS Drama Students - Nashville Christian School". Nashvillechristian.org. 2013-09-06. Retrieved 2014-08-24.
- ↑ "Active Troupes List". ITS. Retrieved 7 April 2013.