International Thespian Society
Virginia Chapter, Troupe 2901
The International Thespian Society is the only theatre honor society for middle and high school students in the United States. ITS recognizes, rewards, and encourages student achievement and celebrates the work of students in all aspects of theatre – performance and production. Each student is honored on a national level and gains access to opportunities and resources beyond those of their school.
Virginia Thespian Festival
January 15 - 17 2027, McLean VA
The Virginia Thespian Festival is an annual celebration of the performing arts, boasting a rich history of nurturing young talents and fostering a vibrant theatre community. Participants will have the chance to connect with like-minded individuals who share the same love and enthusiasm for theatre, creating memories that will last a lifetime. Students attending the festival will have the chance to participate in an array of activities designed to hone their skills and ignite their passion for theatre.
Thespy Competition: Showcase your acting prowess and charisma in this thrilling competition. Unleash your creativity and portray iconic characters or explore original roles that captivate and inspire.
One Act Competition: Get a taste of ensemble theatre as you collaborate with your peers to produce captivating one-act plays. This competition challenges your teamwork, creativity, and storytelling abilities.
Workshops: Immerse yourself in a variety of workshops led by industry professionals. Learn valuable techniques, explore new perspectives, and gain insights from experienced theatre practitioners.
College Auditions Aspiring performers looking to pursue a career in theatre can seize the opportunity to audition for renowned theatre colleges and universities. This is a chance to take your first step toward a future in the performing arts.
Scholarship Auditions: Showcase your talent and passion for theatre, and you might just earn yourself a scholarship to support your artistic journey.
Mainstage Events: Be enchanted by spectacular performances on the grand stage. Witness talented actors breathe life into iconic productions and feel the magic of live theatre
The Thespys®
The International Thespian Excellence Awards recognize the highest level of achievement in school theatre performance, technical theatre, playwriting, and filmmaking. This educational program celebrates the work of theatre students, giving them the opportunity to receive constructive feedback on prepared theatrical material, technical designs, plays, and short films, and recognizing their achievements on the chapter and national level.
Qualifying Events The Thespys journey for Loudoun Valley High School students begins at the Virginia chapter level, where Thespians prepare performances, presentations, plays, and films showcasing their talents and skills. At the Virginia Thespian Festival, students are scored on official rubrics that evaluate their skills based on recognized learning standards for the theatre classroom. An overall rating is determined and constructive feedback is given so students can grow their skills.
Finals Students who score Superior overall ratings at a Qualifying Event may advance to the final round of adjudication (pending a quick screening to ensure the material meets approved criteria), which takes place annually at the International Thespian Festival. Students present their work again, incorporating prior feedback, and the highest-scoring students in each category receive Thespy Awards.
https://schooltheatre.org/thespys/