The International Thespian Society (ITS) is the Educational Theatre Association’s student honorary organization. ITS recognizes the achievements of high school and middle school theatre students. Since 1929, EdTA has inducted more than 2 million Thespians into ITS. That number continues to grow, with more than 36,000 students from around the country being inducted each year.

 

 

How does ITS work?

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Having a Thespian troupe at your school raises the profile and stature of your theatre program, making both your school and community aware of the activities and success of your students. A school has a Thespian troupe that is led by a troupe director—usually the school’s theatre teacher. Students earn an invitation to be inducted into the Thespian Society.

 

 Who are Thespians?

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Thespian troupes include students in grades 9-12, and Junior Thespian troupes include students in grades 6-8. There are troupes in more than 4,000 high schools and middle schools.

A few of our Thespian alumni are famous names from the entertainment industry, including Tom Hanks, Val Kilmer, James Marsters, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, and Stephen Schwartz. But most alumni are in just about any industry you can imagine and excel using skills they learned as Thespians.

Why is an International Thespian Society troupe such an important tool for maximizing the effectiveness of your school’s theatre program?

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1. ITS recognizes, rewards, and encourages continuing student achievement. 

2. ITS celebrates the work of all theatre student artists and technicians. 

3. Student leadership opportunities. 

4. Exceptional promotional opportunities. 

5. Chapter conferences and festivals. 

6. ITS graduation and honor items.