WHAT IS A THESPIAN?
We have a Thespian troupe at Midtown – Troupe #5074.
The EdTA (Educational Theatre Association), an international professional association for theatre education, invites schools to join their association as Thespian troupes. The name “Thespian” comes from Thespis, a Greek actor that is historically considered to be the first actor. Thespians are therefore following in his footsteps.
Midtown's Thespian troupe was reactivated in 2007. Since then, we have had many milestones, including bringing Incident at San Bajo - the first show ever brought to the Georgia Thespian Conference staged in the round in 2009. Out of the 20+ shows that were presented at the conference, our show was one of two selected by the State to present at the International Thespian Conference.
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We also had a student win one of five $2000 performance scholarships and another win $2500 in 2015. Over 200 students competed for those scholarships. In 2019, we brought more students to conference and graduated more Honor and National Honor Thespians than we ever have before. In 2010 and 2019 we had students receive a superior from all judges and be invited to International as well. In 2014, 2016, 2017, 2020 and 2022 we had two acts receive superior ratings, and in 2015 we had three. In 2015, 2016, and 2022, we had one act perform in the showcase at the end of conference.
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We mention all of this to make you aware of the opportunities that are available to schools that have Thespian troupes. We could just have a drama club, but through the Thespian society students see the bigger picture. They make contacts, take workshops, talk to colleges, and see other schools’ work. As Thespians, students are able to track their achievements throughout high school through a point system and can earn enough in their high school career to be an Honor Thespian, National Honor Thespian, or International Honor Thespian.
HOW TO BECOME A THESPIAN
Take classes. Each semester of drama you take in which you earn an ”A” gives you 5 points (4 points for a “B”).
Participate in after-school shows. Each role and/or tech job you do gives you points. The larger the role/job, the more points you get. You can earn points by writing scripts, directing, performing in coffeehouse or the talent show and working on the 48-hour film project.
Do theatre in other places. Earn points from productions you participated in outside of Midtown, middle school shows, summer camps, etc. However, you can only earn a maximum of 5 points from shows & activities that are not part of the Midtown Theatre program.
Pay your dues. Once you’ve participated in at least one after-school show at Midtown and earned a minimum of 10 points, you can become a Thespian. Pay Mr. Dreiling your dues ($30 if it’s your first year being a Thespian, $20 every year after that) or pay them online, using the link on our home page. Dreiling will give you a Thespian point form to fill out. Thespian points are tallied at the end of each semester. You do not have to be a Thespian to attend the Thespian conference, but some events are limited to Thespians only.
There is no cost to audition or participate in shows. Some drama activities (like our holiday party and the end of the year banquet) require you to be a Thespian.
THESPIAN BENEFITS
In
Invitation to our annual holiday party in December and our Thespian Banquet at the end of the year
A personalized membership card and certificate
A bumper sticker that reads: Proud parent of a theatre arts honor student
Eligibility to:
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participate in the Thespys® at the chapter events and the International Thespian Festival
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receive ITS graduation and honor items
A Thespian induction pin
Login access to their own member dashboard page and a variety of online benefits
Access to our online magazine, Dramatics.org, full of content curated especially for Thespians
Member-only pricing on Thespian apparel, theatre books, and resources at the online EdTA Store
Student member access to the online Theatre Education Community
Eligibility to:
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apply for scholarships and grants
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run for office as a State Thespian Officer (STO)
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run for office as an International Thespian Officer (ITO)
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submit their original compositions to the Thespy Playwriting program
THESPIAN POINTS
Thespian points are a reflection of a students' involvement in their theatre troupe. 1 point is the equivalent of 10 hours of quality theatre work. To be a Thespian, you must have a minimum of 10 points (100 hours). There are different Thespian ranks you can advance to.
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When you earn 10 points (100 hours and One-Star Thespian), you advance to the One-Star Thespian level.
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When you earn 60 points (600 hours and Six-Star Thespian) you become an Honor Thespian.
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When you earn 120 points (1200 hours and Twelve-Star Thespian) you become a National Honor Thespian.
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When you earn 180 points (1800 hours and Eighteen-Star Thespian) you become an International Honor Thespian.
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There are different ways you can participate to earn Thespian points.
THESPIAN CONFERENCE
-Thespys – Perform a song, monologue, scene, or present a design in one of 8 tech areas.
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- Muscialworks ---Write your own musical (with another Thespian if preferred). Musicals can be about any subject but must have a running time of 20 minutes or less.
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- Design Challenge - Compete in four different categories of design.
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- Improv - Form a team, compete in improv sports at conference for a chance to win.
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- Film Festivals -- Create a student-produced film that is 3-10 minutes in length.
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- Playworks – Want to have your play performed? If you’re a playwright, submit your works before the end of October. In 2016, Midtown won Playworks with Clarissa Mullig’s play, “In and Out”
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- Quiz Bowl - Think you know theatre trivia? Form a team and compete against other Thespians!
- Scholarships – Over $20,000 in scholarship money is given out each year. ($4500 given to a Midtown so far!) If you are a junior or senior thinking about majoring in theatre in college, check out the website and submit paperwork before the end of October.
- Freestyle – You can bring a 10-20 minute improv, short play, experimental piece, whatever. Pieces must be screened by the end of October.
- Tech Challenge – A team of 4 people compete in 5 individual tech events and one group event. Team must practice the events and perform a dry run by the end of October. In 2017, 2018 and 2019, we placed 2nd in Tech Challenge!
Troupe Rep/STO – Like the idea of running this thing? If you are a rising 10th or 11th grader and would like to represent your troupe, vote and possibly run for the State Thespian Officers (STO), sign-up and attend the 1st planning session in September in Columbus, GA.
Just want to attend? Thespian conference will cost some change. Total $350-400 – paid in two installments in September and January. Cost is determined after first deposits ($200) are in.
Parents can come too! The cost per Chaperone is $100, paid in September.
First deposits of $200 are due in mid-September. Second deposits of $100 are due in mid-January.