Know Before You Go
Are you ready for the once-in-a-lifetime experience you’re about to enjoy at ITF? With countless workshops, shows, and plenty of opportunities to bond with your fellow Thespians, there’s plenty to do. To help you prepare, here’s the information you need to know before you go.
Check back frequently for the most up-to-date information in case any details change.
Packing List
Provided
- Pillow x1
- Pillowcase x1
- Fitted Sheet x1
- Flat sheet (twin XL) x1
- Blanket x1
- Towel x2
Pack
- Comfortable shoes
- Extra pillow or blanket (if you prefer your own)
- Toiletries
- Shower caddy
- Shower shoes/flip-flops
- Personal care appliances (hair dryer, iron, etc.)
- Basic first-aid items (bandages, antibiotic ointment, etc.)
- Personal prescriptions/over-the-counter medications
- Sunscreen
- Umbrella/rain poncho
- Reusable water bottle
- Technology chargers/portable charger
- Earbuds/headphones
- Backpack/tote/messenger bag
- Notebook and writing implements
- Sweater/jacket (for cold indoor spaces)
Recommended Extras
- Hangers
- Instant stain remover (e.g., Tide To Go Pens)
- Air freshener/fabric refresher (e.g., Febreze)
- Power strip/short extension cord
- Non-perishable snacks (fridges are not provided in dorms)
- Workshop materials (sheet music, prepared monologues, dance attire, etc.)
Prohibited Items
- Rollerblades/skates
- Scooters (motorized or manual)
- Hoverboards Bicycles/e-bikes
Airport & Campus Transportation
Airport Shuttles
Attendees/groups are responsible for booking their own transportation to IU’s campus, whether driving or flying. If flying into the Indianapolis International Airport, we encourage groups to book their transportation through GoExpress at a special ITF rate. If attendees have accessibility needs that need to be accommodated by GoExpress, they should include this in their reservation when submitted through provided link.
The promo code for ITF attendees is ITF2025. From the GoExpress homepage, click "Apply Group/PROMO code. Click here first!", enter the promo code, and supply reservation details.
Charter Services
Troupes can book charter busses at discounted rates with Go Express. The following rates are for one-way charter services between the Indianapolis International Airport and IU Bloomington. Charters are recommended for larger groups.
To book group transportation call 812.558.3746 or email kim@goextr.com.
- Sedan: $125+
- 6 pax SUV: $133+
- 14 passenger: $450
- 24 passenger: $689
- 30 passenger: $800
- 40 passenger: $1,015
- 56 passenger: $1,225
ITF Campus Shuttles
GoExpress campus shuttles are provided primarily for those with accessibility needs. Please act well your part by giving them priority on shuttles and walking if you are able. Walking is the fastest way to get around ITF: All dorms are a 15-20 minute walk from activities, while the wait for shuttles is a minimum 45-60 minutes. Starting Monday, two shuttle routes will be utilized, identified by placards in the window of the shuttle busses.
Routes
Route 1 Stops: Briscoe, McNutt (Foster)
Route 2 Stops: Teter, Eigenmann/Union Street, Forest
Route 3 Stops: Walnut Grove, Briscoe, Collins
All Routes: MAC, IU Auditorium, IMU
Times
Sunday: 12:30 p.m. – 11:30 p.m.
Monday: 8 a.m. – 11:30 p.m.
Tuesday-Friday: 7 a.m. – 11:30 p.m.
Additionally, an Indiana University campus shuttle will also be running throughout the week and is free to ride. Note that this shuttle will make additional stops at drop-off points not associated with ITF and therefore may take longer.
Housing & Meal Assignments
Residence Halls
The PAL for each registration group will receive an email providing building assignments in the week leading up to the event. Room assignments will be provided at check-in. Student key cards restrict users to their assigned floor.
The IU residence and dining halls used for ITF are:
| Residence Hall | Dining Hall | Meal Hours M-F |
| Briscoe | McNutt Eatery | Breakfast: 6:30-9 a.m. Lunch: 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Dinner: 5-8 p.m. |
| Collins | Forest Eatery | Breakfast: 6:30-9 a.m. Lunch: 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Dinner: 5-8 p.m. |
| Eigenmann | Forest Eatery | Breakfast: 6:30-9 a.m. Lunch: 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Dinner: 5-8 p.m. |
| Forest | Forest Eatery | Breakfast: 6:30-9 a.m. Lunch: 12:30-2 p.m. Dinner: 5-8 p.m. |
| Foster | McNutt Eatery | Breakfast: 6:30-9 a.m. Lunch: 11:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Dinner: 5-8 p.m. |
| McNutt | McNutt Eatery | Breakfast: 6:30-9 a.m. Lunch: 12:30-2 p.m. Dinner: 5-8 p.m. |
| Teter | Forest Eatery | Breakfast: 6:30-9 a.m. Lunch: 12:30-2 p.m. Dinner: 5-8 p.m. |
| Union Street (Adults Only) | Forest Eatery | Breakfast: 6:30-9 a.m. Lunch: 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Dinner: 5-8 p.m. |
| Walnut Grove | McNutt Eatery | Breakfast: 6:30-9 a.m. Lunch: 12:30-2 p.m. Dinner: 5-8 p.m. |
Note: Lunch assignments are subject to change based on final housing assignments. The private section of the West Dining Room in Forest Eatery is reserved for ITF teaching artists and other adults who are housed in Union Street.
Additionally, the dining halls will be open on Sunday for guests to purchase lunch ($14.85) and dinner ($18.28) during the same operating times as Monday-Friday. Meals on Sunday are not included with registration fees and must be purchased with a credit card. IU Bloomington is a cashless campus.
Hotels
Attendees staying in our host hotels should respect the hotel’s policies regarding noise and behavior. Please see the hotel’s front desk for assistance within those properties.
Housing Check-In and Check-Out
Housing Check-In
Upon arrival at IU Bloomington, all attendees staying on campus should report to their assigned dorm first. Follow these instructions to complete your housing check-in:
- Only the PAL should enter the dorm and visit the check-in desk.
- Check in with the housing representative using the PAL's first and last name. Check-in is not based on troupe number or school/group name.
- Receive all room assignments and key cards.
- All attendees enter the residence hall and proceed to their respective rooms.
Once housing check-in has been completed, only the PAL should proceed to the event check-in at the IMU. All other attendees, including other adult leaders, should refrain from visitng the event registration area as space is limited.
Late-Night Arrivals
If you will be arriving on campus late at night, proceed to your assigned dorm to check-in. Upon arrival, call the appropriate number to reach housing staff and get checked in:
- Briscoe: 812-855-5313
- Collins: 812-855-5553
- Eigenmann: 812-855-8581
- Forest: 812-855-5311
- Foster: 812-855-1408
- McNutt: 812-855-1183
- Teter: 812-855-4034
- Union Street: 812-855-5513
- Walnut Grove: 812-856-2015
The PAL should proceed to ITF event registration the following morning.
Housing Check-Out
Official check-out will take place on Saturday, June 28 from 6:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. ET. If you need to leave before that time on Saturday, no additional action is needed. Please leave your dorm as needed. If you are leaving any time before curfew on Friday, June 27, please alert your dorm captain before departing. Otherwise, no official action is required to check out.
If for any reason you need to check out after 12 p.m. on Saturday, June 28, please coordinate with dorm staff.
Event Registration Check-In
Only the PAL for each registration group should check in at ITF Event Registration as space is very limited. If staying on campus, check in at your residence hall first. The ITF Registration and Information desks are housed in the East Lounge of the Indiana Memorial Union (IMU). Upon arrival, please follow these instructions to complete your registration check-in:
- Registration lines will be divided into Attendees or Exhibitors & Presenters. Join the appropriate line.
- When you arrive to the front of the line, provide your first and last name. You may also be asked to confirm your housing type, school name, and/or troupe number.
- Receive printed name badges.
- If payment has not been received in full, or all required attendee forms have not been submitted, the registration representative will provide further instructions.
Badges & Key Cards
Your ITF badge is your access pass to all ITF activities, as well as a safety device. (It also makes a wonderful souvenir!) Badges instantly identify ITF participants among IU students, staff, and other community members.
Badges must be worn around the neck. Treat your badge like your ID or your debit card – with care. We will be unable to replace lost or broken lanyards.
Campus housing is accessible via key cards that allow access to your building, floor, and room. If you misplace your key card for on-campus housing, replacements are available for $20 by reporting to the front desk of your assigned building. An adult chaperone is required to accompany student attendees to the front desk when requesting a replacement key card.
Parking
For attendees staying on-campus, if you indicated that you needed parking on your housing form, you will receive a CH (community housing) parking permit upon check-in at your assigned dorm. This pass gives you access to any CH lot on campus during ITF. Each dorm has a dedicated CH lot.
Please be prepared to provide the following information for each vehicle when getting your parking pass:
- License plate number
- Make and model of car
- Driver first and last name
- Driver phone number
- Driver address
Buses and other vehicles taking up more than one spot must park in the Blue Lot (IU Memorial Stadium).
Attendees staying off campus may park in paid lots throughout campus. ITF is unable to provide parking validation for attendees staying off campus.
IMU Lot #1 Parking Hours and Rates:
Monday-Friday:
7am-7pm - $2.50 per 1/2 hour
7pm-12am - $1.75 per 1/2 hour
Saturday-Sunday:
7am-12am - $1.50 per 1/2 hour
Daily Maximum: $28 per car per entrance to the parking lot (lot fees wil not exceed this amount)
Assembly Hall Blue A Lot: Parking is free.
IU actively enforces parking restrictions, so take care to park in assigned locations to avoid tickets.
Money
Attendees should plan to bring a credit or debit card to cover incidental expenses on campus, such as food, souvenirs, and gear at the on-site Thespian Shop. IU is a cashless campus. Please note that Apple Pay/Google Pay/Samsung Pay may not be accepted at all points of sale – so having a physical debit card is highly recommended.
Mobile App
We have a new app, and it is live! Plan your daily schedule, check out workshops, and keep an eye out for important updates. Here’s how:
- In your Apple or Android device, open the appropriate app store.
- Search for “EdTA” and click to download. IMPORTANT! Do not choose "EdTA Events." The EdTA Events app is for Chapter Events. You also no longer need the orange "eShow Events" app installed on your device if you attended an EdTA event last year. If you already have eShow events installed, be sure the app is up to date.
- Allow/enable notifications from the app on your device so you will receive any event alerts.
- Select the event, either TEC or ITF. When prompted, click Start.
- Use the app to explore the schedule, campus map, and more.
To manually force a sync, tap the hamburger menu in the lower right corner, then tap the "Sync id" text. You'll see the sync is in progress and when it's complete.
Performance Tickets
ITF offers a wide array of performances, including full-length productions, one-acts, readings, and more. Each group will need to reserve their tickets in advance of ITF.
PALs and individual attendees will receive printed tickets during ITF event check-in at the Registration and Information Desk. The IU Auditorium Box Office will be open 11 a.m.-7 p.m. to resolve any ticketing issues that may arise.
Should your schedule change at any point during the week and you find you are no longer able to attend a performance, please return your tickets to the IU Auditorium Box Office at least 2 hours before the show so that another attendee can use your seat.
Those hoping to attend a performance they did not receive tickets for can check with the IU Auditorium Box Office for any last-minute tickets available on the day of each performance.
Thespy Adjudications
The final round of Thespy adjudications takes place annually at ITF. To be fully prepared for adjudications, participants and their PALs should review the Thespy Logistics page and access the Thespy adjudication schedule prior to ITF.
Health & Medical Needs
First Aid
For non-life-threatening medical treatment, attendees (students and adults) can visit the ITF First Aid Station located in the Hoosier Room of the Indiana Memorial Union. It will be open the following dates and times:
- Sunday, June 22: 11 a.m. – 11 p.m.
- Monday, June 23: Friday, June 27 – 7 a.m. – 11 p.m.
Attendees in need of first aid should report to the ITF First Aid room not the IU Student Health Center. They should bring a copy of their health insurance card. All students in need of first aid must be accompanied by an adult chaperone.
Medical forms must be submitted for a medical provider to treat any ITF attendees (students and adults). Medical providers may refer attendees to the IU Student Health Center, urgent care, or emergency room depending on treatment required.
Outside ITF First Aid hours, attendees should call the ITF Safety Line at (513) 977-5566 for assistance with seeking non-life-threatening medical treatment.
Medication
Students attending with their troupe (not chaperoned by a parent or other relative) should follow their school’s policies for carrying and administering medications. Chaperones and/or parents of students who normally take required medications outside of the school day should check with administration to ensure the necessary forms and protocols are in place prior to ITF.
For students who are attending ITF separately from a Thespian troupe, parents and/or adults acting as chaperones are responsible for their own students’ medications.
Assistance On Site
The ITF Information Desk is located in the East Lounge of the Indiana Memorial Union (IMU), will be open during the following hours:
- Sunday, June 22: 11 a.m. – 9 p.m.
- Monday, June 23: 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
- Tuesday, June 24 through Friday, June 27: 8 a.m. – 2 p.m.
You may also text us at (513) 790-4466. Our team will work diligently to reply to texts as quickly as possible upon receipt. Please note that this number is unable to accept phone calls and should not be used for emergencies.
Questions?
Questions about preparing for or attending ITF? Contact us by using the link below.