HOW TO PARTICIPATE IN THESPIANS – A CHECKLIST

• Decide what play you want to do.  (choose one that is about 30 minutes long)
• Decide what Festival Events you would like to participate and/or compete at Area and States (Tech Expo, Scenes, logo design, state student board, Playwriting, etc.).  
• Register to participate by paying your State Thespian Dues of $45 (These dues pay for the WV Thespians website).  You can do this on HERE.  By paying your dues, you will be automatically registered for your Area's Festival.
• Download the present WV State Thespian Handbook.  You can do this HERE.
• Communicate your play's information to your Area Rep.  You can do this HERE.
• Decide if you want to go all the way to the International Thespian Festival in Lincoln, NB.  For more information on the International Thespian Festival, go to www.edta.org.
• Get the right to perform the play by paying the royalties.  Pay the royalties for 2 performances.
• Design your costumes, set, props, etc. to travel.  Be creative!  Use what you’ve got and work within your means.  Remember, you are being judged on not only acting, but the overal production as well!
• Rehearse your play and prepare for the other Festival Events.  This can take anywhere from 3 to 8 weeks!
• Perform your show first at your school as a fundraiser.
• Take your show to the Area Festival and perform.

If you do not make the break at Area

• Take your students to states and participate in the other Festival Events.

If you DO make the break at Area:

• Send in your info to the State Director and to the host for your play and the other Festival Events your students will participate in.  You can do this HERE.
• Get the right to perform the play at states by paying the royalties for a third show.
• If you are taking a scene get the permission to perform the cutting.
• Reserve your hotel rooms.  When you call a hotel, ask for the school/group rate.
• Lock down transportation for kids and the show’s props, costumes, etc..  Less than 16 students: take vans.  Greater than 16 students: take a bus.
• Inform the State Director if you would like to be considered/reviewed to go to the International Thespian Festival in Lincoln, NB in June.
• Take your show to the State Festival and perform and, of course, participate in the workshops and the other Festival Events.