Thespy Logistics
The International Thespian Excellence Awards (Thespys®) recognize the highest level of achievement in school theatre performance, technical theatre, writing, and filmmaking. There are many moving parts to the final adjudications, scoring, showcase callbacks, and awards recognition during the International Thespian Festival (ITF). Below are the things you need to know about the Thespys at ITF.
Watch our recent Thespys Information Session for what to expect while on-site at ITF!
Finals Adjudication
Thespy Adjudication Schedule
In-person Thespy adjudications will take place Monday-Wednesday, June 22-24*, 2026 at ITF.
*In limited circumstances, select adjudications may be scheduled Thursday, June 25 due to scheduling restraints.
Thespy student schedules are now accessible to the Primary Adult Leader listed on students' registrations. Use these instructions to view your students' schedules:
- Log in to the Attendee Service Center and select "Manage Group Registration". Download your group roster with Thespy schedule assignments by clicking the green page icon in the top right corner of the page.
- All students should have Thespy Category 1 with the category, date, time, and room location of their first Thespy presentation. (HH = Hodge Hall; MG = Marching Hundred)
- Students with multiple Thespys will see the category, date, time, and room location for each listed in multiple columns.
- Note that the category columns are not necessarily in date/time order.
Student Arrival
Students should report to their assigned room at least 20 minutes before the adjudication block is scheduled to start. Adjudications are scheduled in hour-long blocks (rather than up-to-the-minute time slots), so everyone must arrive before the top of their time block. Once inside the room, the adjudicators will roll-call attendance. Latecomers are not guaranteed to be accommodated. Students will remain in the adjudication room for the duration of the time block and will perform or present in front of one another. Students who arrive after the start of their assigned time block should visit the Thespy Information Desk or report to a hall monitor.
Thespy Adjudication Observer Policy
Thespy adjudications at ITF are closed sessions and are not open to general observers. To ensure student safety, maintain a focused adjudication environment, and uphold an equitable experience for all participants, attendance is limited to students assigned to present during that adjudication time slot. A student’s registered troupe director or Primary Adult Leader (PAL) may be permitted to observe, space permitting. No additional observers will be allowed.
Recording of any kind, including video, audio, or photography, is strictly prohibited during adjudications.
For Musical Theatre adjudications, students are responsible for managing their own accompaniment. Students must bring their performance track on their own device and will have access to a physical or Bluetooth speaker, if needed (students may also bring their own speaker). If assistance is needed to start or stop music, students should plan in advance by coordinating with another student in their adjudication group or, if present, their troupe director or PAL to operate the device.
Dress Code
During adjudication, dress simply and professionally. For performance categories, come as yourself, not as the character you are portraying. Avoid costumes, stage makeup, or character-specific hairstyles. Your focus should be on your performance, not on design elements that complement it. It is best to wear comfortable clothing that allows you to move freely. Students will be disqualified if their clothing:
- Displays hate symbols, discriminatory language, or imagery
- Includes profanity, vulgar language, or inappropriate images
- Causes a substantial disruption to the adjudication and educational environment
What to Bring to Adjudications
Technical students should bring any necessary materials with them for their presentation (e.g., portfolio, laptop, models, etc.). Students should download all presentation materials to their device(s) as they may not have access to the internet.
Musical Theatre Performance and Musical Theatre Dance participants should bring their phone or similar source for music. Speakers will be provided, or students may bring their own speaker for an ensured reliable connection.
Students should download any music, digital media, etc. to their devices in advance of their adjudications as wi-fi is historically unstable for streaming music in the adjudication rooms, and online advertisements can interrupt performances. Playing music directly from YouTube is not recommended.
Time Limit Reminders
- Solo Acting: 3 minutes
- Duet & Group Acting, All Musical Theatre Categories: 5 minutes
- All Technical Categories: 8 minutes for presentation, followed by an optional 4 minutes of Q&A with adjudicators (which starts immediately after the presentation ends).
Time Limit Warnings: At the end of the allotted time, the room monitor or adjudicator will raise their hand to indicate time is up. After 10 seconds, they will say, "Time." To avoid disqualification, bring your work to an immediate close when the "Time" is called.
Closing Showcase Performance Callbacks
Who Will Be Called Back?
Following adjudications, Thespy participants in Acting (Solo, Duet, or Group), Musical Theatre Dance (Solo, Duet, or Group), or Musical Theatre Performance (Duet or Group) categories may be invited to callbacks to showcase their performance at the ITF Closing Showcase. Solo Musical Theatre Performance entries will not be considered, as select winners in this category will have the opportunity to showcase their performance prior to the Closing Showcase (see below).
Adjudicators will recommend Thespy entries for callbacks separately from the scoring and feedback process. Because of numerous considerations, including but not limited to equity, licensing rights, variety, and program length, not all Thespy winners or Superior-rated students will be called back to perform and not all categories may be represented. The callback panel's only consideration is to put together an entertaining and diverse representation of the talent in the Thespy program to share with festival attendees at the Closing Showcase.
Although the students' work will be evaluated by this panel, the callback does not further score or rank the students' work and feedback will not be provided (the official adjudication has already concluded). Students not selected for callbacks are still eligible to earn a Thespy Award.
How Will I Be Notified?
The PAL of any student invited to callbacks for the Closing Showcase will receive an email on Tuesday evening with details about callbacks. In the case of multiple callbacks from the same troupe, the PAL will receive a separate email for each entry called back (not necessarily each student for duets/groups). PALs should be in touch with students to relay timely information after receiving the email.
IMPORTANT: The email will be sent to the email address of the person who submitted the Thespy Adjudication Form during the ITF registration process. (Per ITF registration guidelines, this should have been the PAL.) If for some reason the PAL was not the person who logged in to submit the Adjudication Form, the email will be sent to whomever did.
Callback Times & Location
Callbacks will be conducted from 8:00 AM to 2:00 PM on Wednesday, June 24. Location information and other details will be included in the callback invitation email.
Being Selected to Showcase in the Closing Showcase
Entries that are selected to perform in the Closing Ceremony will be notified on Wednesday evening following callbacks via email to the students' PAL in the same fashion as callback notifications.
If selected to present an exhibition performance of your Thespy entry in the ITF Closing Showcase, students will be required to attend a spacing/tech rehearsal prior to the event. Rehearsal details, including call time, will be included in the notification email.
Musical Theatre Dance and Performance entries will be asked provide a high-quality digital copy of their audio track (in MP3, M4A, WAV, or AIFF format) and Acting entries will be asked to provide a copy of their script by Thursday evening or they risk forfeiting their performance slot to another entry.
Thespy Scores, Ratings & Feedback
When Will Thespy Scores be Released?
Thespy scores, ratings, and comments (for in-person adjudications) will be released for review on the evening of Thursday, June 25, 2026. The PAL of each Thespy participant will receive an email when the scores have been released on the OpenWater scoring platform. Virtual participants may receive their scores and ratings prior to ITF as virtual adjudication concludes.
Viewing Your Scores
Scores will be available to view in the scoring platform OpenWater.
Follow these instructions to access your troupe's scores:
- Log in to the scoring platform here.
- In the navigation menu on the left-hand side of the screen, click Complete.
- Click Results under the Action column next to the applications.
- You’ll see the ranking and score under Winner Status.
- Thespy Award Winner (highest score in category)
- Superior
- Excellent
- Good
- Fair
Note: You will only be able to view entries that were submitted under your OpenWater account.
If you are having technical difficulty accessing scores on-site, email thespys@schooltheatre.org and a staff member will support as soon as possible.Thespy Winners
Students named as Thespy Winners are those who either earn a perfect score from adjudicators or receive the highest overall score within their category at ITF.
This designation is separate from a Superior rating. A Superior reflects achievement against the rubric criteria, while Thespy Winner recognition identifies the top-scoring entries within each category.
Select Musical Theatre Solo winners will be invited to participate in the honor showcase, and all Thespy Winners will be recognized at the Thespy Awards Ceremony; see below for more details
Scoring & Program Questions
Please note that the Thespys team will be unable to address any scoring or program inquiries while on site at ITF. (It's not that we don't want to be helpful; it's that scheduling is incredibly tight during festival week.) If you have a question or concern about a specific score, fill out this Score Review Request Form.
If you have a general question about the Thespys program, email thespys@schooltheatre.org.
ITF Score Rounding Policy
At qualifying Thespys events, scores are sometimes rounded when determining qualification for the next level of competition. This practice allows more students to continue developing their work and participate in the next stage of the Thespys program.
The International Thespian Festival (ITF) serves as the final round of Thespys adjudication. Because ITF is the culminating level of the program, a different rounding policy applies.
To earn a Superior rating at ITF, a student's final average score must be 18.0 or higher. Scores below 18.0 (for example, 17.67) are not rounded up to a Superior. Thespy Winners are students who earn a perfect score (or the highest score in the category), and scores below 20 are also not rounded up. This policy helps preserve the significance of the Superior and Winner designations at the final level of the Thespys program.
Standard rounding continues to apply for score ranges below Superior. For example, scores may still be rounded between the Good and Excellent rating (if above a 14.5).
Thespy Showcases
Thespy Playwriting Showcase
Thespy Playwriting Showcase
Monday, June 22, 2026
8:00 to 10:00 PM (Doors open at 7:45 p.m.)
Whittenberger Auditorium
This is not a ticketed event and all are welcome!
The Thespy Playwriting Showcase will feature readings of scenes from some of the top-scoring student playwriting submissions from across the country, brought to life by professional guest artists.
Students whose Thespy entries are selected for inclusion in the Playwriting Showcase will be notified prior to the start of ITF.
Thespy Short Film Showcase
Thespy Short Film Showcase
Thursday, June 25, 2026
8:00 to 10:00 PM (Doors open at 7:30 p.m.)
Whittenberger Auditorium
This is not a ticketed event and all are welcome!
A selection of top-scoring Superior-rated students in the Short Film category will have their works screened in a category-specific showcase. Superior works demonstrate suburb storytelling, camera work, lighting, sound, editing and acting abilities. This showcase not only celebrates the filmmakers but also creates an opportunity for students to view and appreciate each other's work.
Students whose Thespy entries are selected for inclusion in the Short Film Showcase will be notified prior to the start of ITF.
All short films featured in the showcase will be published to EdTA's YouTube channel following the Short Film Showcase to share students' work globally and celebrate those who cannot attend ITF in person.
Thespy Solo Musical Theatre Performance Showcase
Thespy Solo Musical Theatre Performance Showcase
Friday, June 26, 2026
9:00 AM to 12:00 PM
IU Auditorium (IUA)
This is not a ticketed event and all are welcome!
Select Thespy winners in the Solo Musical Theatre Performance category will have the opportunity to showcase their work in the IU Auditorium. Students will be informed of their selection via email (to PAL) Thursday evening. ALL selected students must meet in the lobby of the IU Auditorium Theatre at 8:00am on Friday, June 26 for a walk-through of the space and program, and provide a high-quality digital copy of their audio track (in MP3, M4A, WAV, or AIFF format) through this link by 11:00 p.m. Thursday, June 25.
In the selection email, performers will be provided a more specific performance window and performance call time; students are not required to attend the full showcase.
Students are welcome to wear black, but it is not required; feel free to wear performance attire (no costumes, please).
IMPORTANT: Students named as Thespy Winners are those who either earn a perfect score from adjudicators or receive the highest overall score within their category at ITF. This designation is separate from a Superior rating.
Thespy Tech & Design Exhibition Showcase
Thespy Tech & Design Exhibition Showcase
Friday, June 26, 2026
7:30 to 8:30 PM
Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall
Select Thespy winners in technical and design categories will be invited to display their materials and showcase their presentations during a special portfolio exhibition prior to the ITF Closing Showcase.
Participants should plan to arrive at Assembly Hall by 6:30pm and will be assigned table space in the concourse where they can display their work (costumes, set design models, etc.) and speak with festival attendees about their craft.
Students should bring any and all items needed to showcase their work with them (including laptop computers to display digital presentations downloaded to device, if applicable). Further details will be communicated via email to each winning student's PAL as Thespy scores are released.
IMPORTANT: Students named as Thespy Winners are those who either earn a perfect score from adjudicators or receive the highest overall score within their category at ITF. This designation is separate from a Superior rating.
Recognizing Thespy Participants
Thespy Award Ceremony
Thespy Award Ceremony
Friday, June 26, 2026
3:00-5:00 PM (Doors open at 2:45 p.m.)
IU Auditorium (IUA)
This is not a ticketed event and all are welcome!
All Thespy Award winners are encouraged to attend the Thespy Award Ceremony, where each student will be recognized for their outstanding achievement.
IMPORTANT: Students named as Thespy Winners are those who either earn a perfect score from adjudicators or receive the highest overall score within their category at ITF. This designation is separate from a Superior rating.
Student Arrival: Thespy Winners should arrive at the IUA lobby at 1:30 p.m. and report to the check-in table. Winners will be seated by category and called to the stage as a group. Each person's name will be announced and they will be given their medallion. Upon exiting the stage, winners should return to their seats for the remainder of the ceremony.
Students should come dressed as they wish to be photographed, as they will be included in group photos by category at the ceremony.
Student Seating: Winners will have reserved seating by Thespy category and will not sit with their troupes. If a student is a winner in multiple categories, they will be called onstage again and will be given another medallion.
Superior Pins
All students who earn a Superior rating will receive a Superior Pin celebrating their accomplishment. Superior Pins are available for pickup by the PAL for each registration group:
- At the Information booth (Indiana Memorial Union) from 8:00-10:00 a.m. on Friday, June 26.
- At Assembly Hall prior to the Closing Showcase.
Each PAL will be asked to present their badge and will receive an envelope with a pin for each Superior-rated student. Students are encouraged to wear their pins to the ITF Closing Showcase, where they will be recognized for their achievements.
Materials must be picked up during these hours. We are unable to ship any unclaimed award materials after ITF.
Thespy Award Winners' Medallions
Winners' medallions will be distributed to the winning Thespians during the Thespy Awards Ceremony in the IU Auditorium (IUA) on Friday, June 26 (see more details above).
If you missed picking up your medallion, it will be available to pick up at Assembly Hall prior to the Closing Showcase.
Materials must be picked up during these hours. Note: We are unable to ship any unclaimed award materials after ITF.
Thespy Award Winner Photos
Group photos of winners in each Thespy category will be taken from the stage during the Thespy Award Ceremony.
Those wishing to take an individual professional photograph as a Thespy winner will have the opportunity to do so prior to the Closing Showcase at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall between 6:30-8:30 p.m. (look for the Thespy step-and-repeat set up in the lobby). Duet and Ensemble winners must arrive together.
School Trophies
Schools of Thespy Award-winning students will be awarded a trophy to commemorate the achievement. Trophies will shipped to the school's address after the conclusion of the event, with delivery expected in the fall, when school resumes. Communication will be sent to troupe directors at that time.
Virtual Thespy Participants
All materials (pins, medallions, trophies) will be shipped to the attention of the troupe director at the school address, with delivery expected in the fall, when school resumes. Communication will be sent to troupe directors at that time.
The Thespy Awards are presented by Disney Live Entertainment
