The International Thespian Society at Ayala

The International Thespian Society (ITS) is a worldwide organization that reaches out to assist all actors, performers, and technical wizards in their growth and journey towards producing productions. Founded in 1929, the Society serves as a means of encouraging student personal and professional growth. It seeks to support the growth of each student involved through Honor Ranking, Awards, and even Scholarships. Students in good standing work to earn points through showing their dedication towards the advancement of their craft. That dedication in turn allows for students to be a part of the 135,000 student and teacher members across all 50 states, and 13 countries. Furthermore, the Society offers students impactful validation to colleges and employers showcasing their leadership, service, and extracurricular achievements.

ANY student who has an interest in performing arts. AYALA Troupe 5173 is unique as not only seek out persons who already qualify (100 hours of theatre/performance work) but make ourselves available for the student seeking their own realization of their potential. We are looking to connect with all students who want to eventually be a part of the ITS, to help them through their accumulation of hours, and to be here to assist their achieving of their goals. 

Students who display an interest DO NOT have to be enrolled in any Theatre classes at AYALA. Participation in all three Main Stage Productions will (in most cases) provide the necessary 100 hours (10 POINTS) to be inducted into the ITS. 

Additionally, up to 50 hours (5 POINTS) may be used from outside school/community productions.

To be inducted, once the 100 service hours are validated, a one-time due of $35.00 is to be paid. This is a one-time due (good for all years 9-12 on one payment). Payment comes with a certificate of induction, a ceremonious pin, and a membership card to the Society. It also enables the student to be eligible for all benefits of the Society, from events to professional development opportunities, and consideration for scholarships.

Inclusion in the ITS brings theatre students “the same validation common for sports or academic success” in consideration from employees and colleges. Members of ITS are eligible to compete and showcase in “Reginal and national events [that] offer Thespians a chance to compete for thousands of scholarship dollars, earn commendation through the International Thespian Excellence Awards, and audition for hundreds of college theatre programs.” 

Additionally, members gain invaluable leadership experience in the form of serving as elected officers. Officer positions include president, vice president, secretary, treasurer, and historian, with additional options of webmaster, theatre advocacy chair, and publicity chair if added into the specific troupe’s constitution.

Directly from the ITS Handbook: 

• Membership  in the only international honor society for high school theatre arts students—a recognized demonstration of achievement and a valuable addition to college and employment applications.
• An official Thespian induction pin.
• A personalized membership certificate and membership card.
• Log-in access to his or her member dashboard page and a variety of online benefits.
• A one-year, bimonthly subscription to the print edition of Dramatics magazine (a $38 value). The first issue arrives within six to eight weeks. They may also renew at a special member rate.
• Log-in access to Dramatics Digital from induction through the year following graduation.
• A bumper sticker that reads: Proud parent of a theatre arts honor      student.
• Special member pricing on theatre books and digital media through the online EdTA store.
• Thespian-level access to the Theatre Education Community.
• Leadership opportunities at the troupe, chapter, and national levels.
• Eligibility for scholarships, grants, and awards through EdTA and its chapters. See schooltheatre.org/ags.
• Eligibility to audition at the International Thespian Festival for admission to college theatre programs, submit original compositions to the Thespian Next Generation Works program, audition for chapter Individual Events      programs, and qualify for the National Individual Events Showcase (NIES). See schooltheatre.org/festival.
• Eligibility to receive additional Thespian honors, including graduation and honor items, advancement through Thespian honor ranks, and Thespian scholar      distinction. See Recognizing exceptional Thespian achievement.

(https://www.schooltheatre.org/internationalthespiansociety/teachers/troupedirectors/troupehandbook#5c)

• THESPIAN (10-59 Points)
• HONOR THESPIAN (60-119 Points)
• NATIONAL HONOR THESPIAN (120-179 Points)
• INTERNATIONAL HONOR THESPIAN (180 Points—THE Highest Level)

Simply: 1 point = 10 hours of dedicated work within a theatre/production

Thespian point system summary--INDUCTION.

• Inducted Junior Thespians automatically begin their high school careers with half of the points needed for high school Thespian induction.
• One point represents approximately 10 hours of excellent work. Use this      formula in awarding points for items not specifically listed in the point      system.
• To become a Thespian, a student must earn 10 points, the equivalent of 100 hours of work. Five of those points should be acquired at the school where he or she is to be inducted.
• Induction points should be earned through participation in at least two full-length productions, or one full-length and two one-acts, or four one-acts.
• Induction points should be earned in at least two of the listed categories, for example, acting and production.
• At the troupe director’s discretion, students may earn up to five points toward induction through participation in community, children’s, middle school, or professional theatre.
• Thespian membership is offered to all students who qualify. No student can be elected into the troupe, and no student can be denied membership if he or she has fulfilled all membership requirements.

Once a student has been inducted (initial 10 points), they are able to earn additional points, determined in marked value by the specific troupe director, based on their involvement in each production, on stage AND off stage. Students are able to earn double points if they take on additional responsibilities (ex: “Acting Role Lead = x points” and “Stage Manager = y points” then if one student, during one production serves as both—and accounts for the proper amount of hours of dedicated work, then student can earn x+y points).

(https://www.schooltheatre.org/internationalthespiansociety/teachers/troupedirectors/troupehandbook#5c) 

Mrs. Sherratt will be making announcements in each class, as well as to the Ayala Drama Club, and the cast/crew of the Main Stage Production. Those students who are already eligible will receive invitations to consider becoming a Member. Additional students who are interested in becoming a Member, but will not be eligible until the end of the year, are encouraged to reach out to the Troupe’s director, president, or fellow Members. We will each work together to continue to inspire and guide those interested in joining at a later date.

For all questions, please email Madeleine Sherratt at madeleine_sherratt@chino.k12.ca.us or refer to the Thespian Troupe Handbook at https://www.schooltheatre.org/internationalthespiansociety/teachers/troupedirectors/troupehandbook#5c