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Frequently Asked Questions

This section contains information related to the International Thespian Festival (ITF) and Theatre Education Conference (TEC). Answers to frequently asked questions will be added on an on-going basis.


General Information

The International Thespian Festival (ITF) is the premier theatre festival for middle and high school students around the world. Held annually since 1941, it welcomes over 4,500 attendees for a week of nonstop theatre, including full-length high school productions on the Main Stage to workshops led by industry professionals and everything in between.

ITF is produced by the Educational Theatre Association (EdTA), which is the parent organization of the International Thespian Society and Educational Theatre Foundation.

The Theatre Education Conference (TEC) is a professional development conference for theatre educators, teaching artists, administrators, and cultural leaders, featuring interactive workshops, inspiring keynotes, and abundant collaboration opportunities.

TEC is produced by the Educational Theatre Association (EdTA), which is the parent organization of the International Thespian Society and Educational Theatre Foundation.

The 2027 International Thespian Festival (ITF) will take place Sunday, June 27 to Friday, July 2, 2027 in Louisville, KY.

The Theatre Education Conference (TEC) will also take place during ITF, from June 30-July 2.

Louisville’s vibrant downtown arts district offers a walkable and welcoming setting for festival participants, with nationally recognized venues such as the Kentucky Center for the Performing Arts and Actors Theatre of Louisville. Attendees will also enjoy access to state-of-the-art conference facilities at the Kentucky International Convention Center, hotels at a range of price points, ample restaurants, and a thriving local arts community.

All students in grades 6-12 who love theatre can attend ITF! This includes inducted Thespians, future Thespians (students not yet inducted into ITS but who are associated with a troupe), and adult leaders such as troupe directors, teachers, parents, and guardians. Adult leaders must be at least 21 years old at the time of ITF. Theatre education partners (industry and college representatives) are also encouraged to attend.

TEC is open to theatre educators, teaching artists, and administrators looking for professional development and collaboration opportunities.

Students who wish to attend ITF who are not affiliated with a troupe or whose troupe is not attending must be accompanied by a primary adult leader. Primary adult leaders must first register themselves, then register the student(s) they will be chaperoning. Adult leaders must be aged 21+. 

Absolutely! If you are working toward your Thespian induction, participating in ITF is a great way to earn points. In general, you can earn one point per day attended. Troupe directors have discretion over the actual points awarded, so talk to your teacher about how to earn the maximum points possible from your participation. You may need to demonstrate which workshops you attended, for example, or new things that you learned as a result of attending. 
 
Download our handy points sheet for more ideas on how to earn Thespian induction. 

Attendees will receive a certificate of participation for attending ITF and TEC. Because of EdTA’s stature and reputation for high-quality professional learning experiences, many school districts accept these for professional development credit. Please check with your administration to find out whether your attendance will be accepted for continuing education or professional development credit. 

Certificates of participation will be available after the event.

Programs

The ITF Main Stage adjudication process is open until October 2, 2026. Learn more here.

There are a variety of opportunities for students to perform at ITF. Please refer to the Programs menu on the ITF webpage!

College auditions are open to inducted Thespians who are rising seniors at the time of ITF. You must purchase the audition add-on during registration and submit your audition materials by the listed deadline. All auditions will be virtual; callbacks will be held either in-person or virtually at the discretion of each college. College representatives will follow up directly with students to request a callback. 

 

Thespians who are rising seniors can participate in college auditions for 50+ college theatre programs nationwide. Colleges who attend ITF award admission and scholarships to ITF attendees each year. 
 
Students who receive a superior rating at a Thespy qualifying event can apply for a Thespy Finalist scholarship through the Educational Theatre Foundation.

The best resource for Thespys questions can be found on the official Thespys website. Specific questions may also be emailed to thespys@schooltheatre.org.

ITF seeks proposals in theatre and technical theatre that reflect a broad spectrum of standards-based learning covering all five of the theatre framework categories (acting, producing/directing, designing, writing, and dramaturgy) and which model best thinking in the field, informed by theory, experience, and practice.

TEC seeks proposals that model the power of arts-based professional learning for educators, teaching artists, administrators, and cultural leaders.

The proposal process will open in the fall.
Keep checking this page, as we will add more information about the event as details are confirmed. If you need help with a question not answered here, contact events@schooltheatre.org. Direct questions about the Thespy Awards to thespys@schooltheatre.org.

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