FESTIVAL OFFERINGS

Detailed 2024 Festival Guide in PDF Format

PERFORMANCE Opportunities

The performance category is where you’ll find everything at Festival that allows you the opportunity to hit the stage! This year, there’s a type of performance for everyone — from improv to presenting a full-length production. This is your chance to take center stage!

MAIN STAGE SERIES -
The Main Stage series is on a hiatus for 2025. We hope to bring in back at Festival 2026.

ONE-ACT FESTIVAL -
Participate in the One-Act Festival or watch high schools from across the state present their best work! Those participating receive live feedback from professional judges. The highest-scoring performances receive awards for their accomplishments, and the highest-scoring performance of all earns the coveted title of Chapter Select and the chance to take their performance all the way to the International Thespian Festival! There are a limited number of One-Act performance opportunities at Festival.

Review detailed information on the One-Act Festival.

WHAT ABOUT IMPROV? -
Under “Troupe Events”, schools can submit an Improv Team for the annual Improv Show! During registration, Troupe Directors may sign up one team of 6 participants.

WORKSHOPS

WORKSHOPS FOR STUDENTS
Festival workshops are our most popular offering each year and are presented throughout the Festival. Taught by master teaching artists and covering everything from technical theatre to acting, improvisation, and even mask making, students will develop their craft, talent, and skills in ways never before thought possible! Students will choose which workshops they’d like to attend using our digital festival guide as Festival weekend gets closer. Workshop topics have and may include musical theatre, dance, movement, voice, accents, the audition process, the business of theatre, improvisation, makeup design, costume design, stage management, set design and construction, lighting and sound design, leadership, puppetry, stage combat, and more! 

Apply to be a Teaching Artist

WORKSHOPS FOR PROFESSIONALS
This year, we’re taking workshops even further and offering Troupe Directors, educators, and Professional Members a full Festival experience complete with workshops tailored to the unique needs of educators, directors, and artists. Taught by leading industry professionals, you’ll develop new ways of better serving your student Thespians and return to your classroom, stage, or scene shop inspired! This year, we also welcome a new partnership with the Maryland Theatre Education Association who will join us as facilitators of select workshops. Troupe Directors, educators, and Professional Members will choose which workshops they’d like to attend using our digital Festival guide as Festival weekend gets closer.

Apply to be a Teaching Artist

TROUPE EVENTS

Troupe Events are events outside of those listed under performances that require multiple members of the same Troupe to work together as a team towards excellence. 

TECH CHALLENGE - UPDATED!
The Tech Challenge is a series of timed events that are designed to test one’s knowledge of the basic skills every technician should have. Both time and accuracy are critical to a successful outcome. New this year, the top two teams will go head-to-head at the Closing Ceremony in front of the entire contingent! Each Troupe may submit one team of 4 to 10 participants.

2025 Tech Challenge Rules - Coming Soon!

TRASH COSTUMES
Trash Costumes continues to be one of the most sought-after events at Festival! Troupes compete for the largest audience applause and bragging rights by crafting costumes from a pile of trash! Don't worry, our trash is very clean and absolutely safe to play with. Each Troupe may submit one team of 4 participants.

QUIZ BOWL
Quiz Bowl is a Jeopardy-style, fun, theatre-themed trivia event that will put your theatre knowledge to the test! Teams compete head-to-head by buzzing in to answer questions relating to all areas of theatre. Each Troupe may submit one team of 4 participants.

SPEED CHARADES
Speed Charades is a fast-paced, fiercely fun, theatre-themed event where players compete head-to-head in a race to act out theatrical words and phrases for their teams to guess. Each Troupe may submit one team of 4 participants.

MAKEUP DESIGN CHALLENGE
Teams will bring to festival three original design renderings, inspired by a specific source material (which will be sent to participating troupe directors). During the 50min session, they will display the renderings and then bring one of them to life (face / hair). Each Troupe may submit one team of 4 participants (1 model and 3 makeup artists). Troupes will supply their own makeup/materials.

IMPROV SHOW -
Submit an Improv Team for the annual Improv Show! During registration, Troupe Directors may sign up one team of 6 participants. Unlike the other Troupe Events, this one isn’t really a competition - just a chance to perform for your friends and peers. As the saying goes: “Where everything is made up, and the points don’t matter.”

THESPYS

INTERNATIONAL THESPIAN EXCELLENCE AWARDS (THESPYS®) -
Formerly known as Individual Events, the International Thespian Excellence Awards (Thespys®) are an educational program designed to provide constructive, growth-minded feedback for Thespians to improve their prepared theatrical material, expand their performance and technical expertise, and develop their professional and presentation skills. The program includes many official categories, spanning performance, technical theatre, filmmaking, and playwriting.  The goal for participating students is to find their talent, strengths, and opportunities and to grow as theatre artists. Each entry is adjudicated by theatre educators and professionals based on rubrics that reflect national standards in theatre education. At the state level, the program culminates in a curated selection of outstanding student work representing both performance and design categories called the Thespy® Showcase. The Thespy® Showcase is presented as part Festival’s Closing Ceremony. Regardless of participation in the curated selection of work, inducted thespians who receive a Superior rating are eligible to continue on to the National level at the International Thespian Festival.

~Students may participate in up to two Thespy® events (from different categories).
~To prepare for success, be sure to review the documents below.

Helpful Guide for Maryland Chapter Qualifier

Review the Thespy® Program Guide and Rules/Rubrics

Rights & Licensing Rules

All thespys must be entered in the Registration System by November 15th.
AND THEN entered and/or uploaded into OpenWater by December 6th. (Instructions will be sent to registered troupes by Nov. 15.)
~Performance/Film/Playwriting Thespys are virtual and a link must be submitted by Dec. 6.
~Technical Thespys will be adjudicated in-person, at Festival, but must still be entered into OpenWater by Dec. 6.

Questions? Contact: thespys@marylandthespians.org

COLLEGE / SCHOLARSHIP AUDITIONS

Inducted Thespians in their junior or senior year may audition for collegiate programs of study as well as other conservatory training programs not associated with a formal academic institution such as a summer theatre camp or an auditioned class or ensemble at a local theatre company. Additionally, representatives from colleges, universities, and other training programs are given the opportunity to meet with students who audition and/or interview during the Festival independently. Representatives have, and may again, choose to advance students through the pre-screen process or directly offer scholarship opportunities upon admission.

Inducted Seniors who have a 3.0 G.P.A. and have declared a theatre major are eligible to receive a Maryland Thespians Senior Scholarship. New this year, any senior may apply based on their intended discipline of collegiate study. Students will either audition or present a portfolio and complete an interview. The Maryland Thespians Board of Directors will evaluate each application and award scholarship money to those who best showcase past accomplishments and future promise in the field. There is no limit to how many seniors may be awarded a scholarship, though each scholarship amount may vary at the discretion of Maryland Thespians.

Review detailed information for both. (Including additional application requirements.)

AWARDS

DISTINGUISHED SENIOR THESPIAN
The Distinguished Senior Thespian Award aims to acknowledge the significant contributions a senior Thespian has made to both their Thespian Troupe and, in effect, their entire school community. This award honors those individuals who have demonstrated an unwavering dedication to the International Thespian Society and their high school theatre programs. Troupe Directors may submit a single senior they deem worthy of this distinct honor by submitting a complete nomination form. Please note, a $30 Thespian recognition fee applies for this award.

ALL-STATE THESPIAN
To be recognized as an All-State Thespian is a distinct and monumental achievement. This honor is offered only at Festival where honorees receive both recognition during the Closing Ceremony and a medal of achievement to commemorate the occasion. Interested Thespians submit their qualifications to their Troupe Director, who then verifies eligibility. Don't forget, in addition to verifying eligibility, Troupe directors must register their students for this additional honor during Festival registration. All applicants must be an inducted Thespians in good standing with a minimum of 60 Thespian points. Applicants must also hold a leadership role within their Troupe. Please note, a $30 Thespian recognition fee applies per qualifying Thespian.

TEACHER / ADMINISTRATOR OF THE YEAR
Maryland Thespians is proud to offer the Teacher/Administrator of the Year Award. This award aims to acknowledge the significant contributions teachers and administrators make each and every day to ensure their students receive the highest quality theatre education. The Teacher/Administrator of the Year Award honors those individuals who have demonstrated an unwavering dedication to their high school theatre programs and aims to recognize the support these individuals have provided, oftentimes in the face of great obstacles. Students, teachers, or administrators may nominate a teacher or administrator worthy of this distinction by submitting a complete nomination form. Self-nominations are also accepted. There is no fee for this award.

Access the Teacher/Administrator of the Year nomination form

MARYLAND THEATRE EDUCATOR HALL OF FAME
Maryland Thespians is proud to offer the honor of Maryland Theatre Educator Hall of Fame. This honor is bestowed upon those theatre educators who have served their students and school communities for over 20 years and aims to acknowledge their significant contributions to their theatre programs. Students, teachers, or administrators may nominate an educator worthy of this distinction by submitting a complete nomination form. Self nominations are also accepted. There is no fee for this honor.

Access the Maryland Theatre Educator Hall of Fame nomination form

EXTRAS

THESPIAN HUB
The newly coined Thespian Hub is where you’ll find all the extras Festival has to offer. Bid on signed posters and other Broadway bling at the Broadway Cares Silent Auction, or shop for Thespian gear and souvenirs! You can even take advantage of the Festival Photo Booth, and get answers to all your questions at the Festival Information Desk staffed by those who know it all — your State Thespian Officers and members of the Maryland Thespians Board of Directors! 

COLLEGE ROW & EXHIBITORS HALL
Meet with colleges and universities as an interested theatre major or any other major! Admissions representatives are recruiting for all of their programs — not just theatre! This is a great place to make a standout first impression. Also, take a look at all that our exhibitors have to offer, from scripts to swag!