Troupe Membership

So you want to start a Thespian Troupe?  We are here to help! 

Here are the steps to follow:

Student Membership Information. To charter your troupe, you must submit and pay for a minimum of six new members. Troupes must maintain a minimum active member base of at least six students, tallied at the end of each school year (7/31). In general, any student who has participated in at least two productions for a total of 100 hours of work is eligible for International Thespian Society membership.

Student Membership Dues: $30

Terms of membership for ITS troupes. To be affiliated with the International Thespian Society (ITS), a division of the Educational Theatre Association (EdTA), a school’s charter application must be successfully processed, annual troupe dues must be paid, and minimum membership requirements must be met. A school based student organization, a Thespian troupe or Junior Thespian troupe, is created. The school administration appoints the troupe director who becomes the single, official representative of the school and troupe to EdTA. Troupe directors are subject only to the authority of the school’s administration and the EdTA board of directors. The troupe director is a professional member of EdTA as long as the troupe maintains active status.

Start a high school Thespian Troupe

Start a junior Thespian Troupe

Start a Thespian Troupe Grant 

The Start a Troupe Grant was created with donations from many generous supporters of the Educational Theatre Association. Having a Thespian troupe is more than a title; it is a society that provides your students with a way to show their level of excellence in theatre. You will be able to have online PD opportunities for little to no cost to you or your program.  You save $10 per student on Alabama Thespian Festival registration costs. Your students qualify to apply for multiple scholarships, awards and grants. Your students receive their Dramatics magazine every month. You are added to the email list for theatre opportunities in the state. If you need help starting your troupe we will pay your initial dues and for 6 of your prospective thespians.
The Alabama Educational Theatre Association will sponsor 2 troupes a year for our Start a Troupe Grant.

Start a Troupe Grant Schools must:
1. Show a financial need. Explain to us why your program needs this grant.
2. Have a theatre program.
3. Have a plan to continue to grow your troupe past the year that you receive the grant.

Start a Troupe Grant Application Form

For Questions, Please Contact Chapter Director:

Jamie Stephenson at althespianfestival@gmail.com