FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Schools should, ideally, have an active ITS Troupe in order to attend festival. However, we can often make an exception for a school that is just beginning the process of chartering their Troupe or are trying to decide if they should. For more information on starting a Troupe at your school here: https://schooltheatre.org/thespian-troupe-membership/

That's a tough one. The short answer is "sometimes". All students must be accompanied by a registered, adult chaperone from their school (which could be a parent). If their school is not attending the festival, the student(s) would need to be sponsored by another school that IS attending, and that agrees to take responsibility for the student(s).

Not really. Troupe directors need to register their students for festival and register them for any performances, auditions, Thespys, Troupe Events etc. Once festival arrives, students will be able to select/sign-up for the workshops and choose which performances to attend etc.

Troupe directors can pay for their troupe via check or credit card. Individual invoicing options are available, but need to be arranged by contacting info@marylandthespians.org

Maryland Thespians
P.O. Box 1934
Leonardtown, MD 20650

No, students do not need to be vaccinated in order to attend.

It is not required, but strongly suggested.

Nearly 1000 of Maryland's most dedicated high school theatre students and theatre educators attended the Maryland Thespian Festival each year. In addition, the Maryland Thespian Festival welcomes vendors, colleges, Broadway stars, and professional teaching artists from across the state.

The festival is open to all theatre students, including those not yet inducted. While students need not be inducted, schools do need to charter a Thespian Troupe in order to attend the Maryland Thespian Festival. Interested but not yet sure? Email info@marylandthespians.org for more information on attending the Maryland Thespian Festival as a guest.

Festival is an experience unlike any other and a memory that will last a lifetime! Students have the rare opportunity to train with some of the country’s leading professionals in drama, musical theatre, directing, playwriting, and technical theatre. In addition, colleges, conservatories, and universities offer scholarships to students in attendance. The Maryland State Thespian Festival also affords students the unique opportunity to experience theatrical productions produced by other high schools and collaborate with other theatre students from across the state.

For educators and Troupe directors, you’ll also participate in workshops with leading industry professionals, network with fellow theatre educators from across the state, and be offered the chance to experience the work of your peers where schedules and distance might otherwise prohibit.

Supervision of students is the direct responsibility of each Troupe Director and their registered chaperones. Troupes attending are required to provide chaperones to supervise their participants. Schools must bring their Troupe Director and an additional one (1) chaperone per every ten (10) students attending the festival is recommended.