Kansas Thespian State Festival
January 3rd-5th, 2019
Details for this year's conference will be posted as soon as they are available.
What is Kansas ThesFest?
The Kansas Thespian Festival is held at Hyatt Regency Wichita and Century II Performing Arts and Convention Center. Each year, approximately 1700 high school theatre students attend this three day conference. The day can begin as early as 7:00 AM and lasts until nearly midnight.
The conference is a total theatre experience. Students can choose from nearly 80 workshop sessions taught by college theatre professors, high school drama teachers, and guest artists from around the country. Colleges bring displays to promote their theatre programs. Students compete in Individual Events for a chance to quality for the International Thespian Festival in June. Each school attending may bring a one-act for performance.
Late night activities include a themed dance, competitions in improv, creative costuming, speed charades and theatre quiz bowl. More information about late night events can be found HERE.
Five schools from across the state bring a show to perform on one of the main stages in Century II Performing Arts Center. Students can also compete in a variety of theatre activities including playwriting, charades, theatre trivia, improvisation, creative costuming, and Tech Challenge. Thespians who are seniors can audition for the colleges that attend the conference. Two seniors from each school have the opportunity to compete for $10,000 in Thespian Scholarships.
A silent auction takes place throughout the weekend, featuring posters, scripts, and other theatre related items.
Who may attend the Kansas Thespian Festival?
Any school with an active Thespian troupe is eligible to attend. Campus' Thespian Troupe is #573. Inducted Thespians are eligible to attend, non-Thespians must be invited to attend by the Troupe sponsor (Mrs. Kelly).
College Scholarship Auditions
Only graduating inducted seniors are eligible for audition.
Students must be on record as members of the International Thespian Society by November 1st.
There is no limit to the number of students who may audition or present a technical portfolio for college representatives.
Full details about auditions can be found HERE. Pay close attention to all deadlines. THERE ARE NO EXCEPTIONS TO THE DEADLINE: counselor, sponsor, parent, technical difficulties, etc. Students, Parents, Sponsors, or Administrators should not call or email asking for exceptions.
Two students from each troupe may apply for the Kansas Thespian Scholarship. In addition to writing an essay and completing an interview, the following qualifiers are also used in rewarding this scholarship.
Kansas Thespian Conference Individual Events (IE's) is an educational program that offers Thespians the opportunity to receive constructive feedback on prepared theatrical material and technical designs.
The performance Individual Events include: Monologue, Duet Acting, Group Acting, Solo Musical Theatre, Duet Musical Theatre, and Group Musical Theatre.
The technical Individual Events include: Costume Construction, Costume Design, Lighting Design, Scenic Design, Short Film, Sound Design, Stage Management, and Theatre Marketing.
More information about IE's can be found HERE.
What is an Honor Troupe?
Honor Troupe is a recognition program for high school theatre troupes in Kansas. It is NOT a competition with other Thespian troupes. Any Thespian troupe that meets the criteria, completes the portfolio / notebook, and successfully participates in an interview session at the Kansas Thespian Conference may achieve Honor Troupe status. Campus Troupe #573 has received the Gold Honor award for the past five years.
Conference Health/Security Form MUST be filled out and notarized before Christmas Break.
What is Kansas ThesFest?
The Kansas Thespian Festival is held at Hyatt Regency Wichita and Century II Performing Arts and Convention Center. Each year, approximately 1700 high school theatre students attend this three day conference. The day can begin as early as 7:00 AM and lasts until nearly midnight.
The conference is a total theatre experience. Students can choose from nearly 80 workshop sessions taught by college theatre professors, high school drama teachers, and guest artists from around the country. Colleges bring displays to promote their theatre programs. Students compete in Individual Events for a chance to quality for the International Thespian Festival in June. Each school attending may bring a one-act for performance.
Late night activities include a themed dance, competitions in improv, creative costuming, speed charades and theatre quiz bowl. More information about late night events can be found HERE.
Five schools from across the state bring a show to perform on one of the main stages in Century II Performing Arts Center. Students can also compete in a variety of theatre activities including playwriting, charades, theatre trivia, improvisation, creative costuming, and Tech Challenge. Thespians who are seniors can audition for the colleges that attend the conference. Two seniors from each school have the opportunity to compete for $10,000 in Thespian Scholarships.
A silent auction takes place throughout the weekend, featuring posters, scripts, and other theatre related items.
Who may attend the Kansas Thespian Festival?
Any school with an active Thespian troupe is eligible to attend. Campus' Thespian Troupe is #573. Inducted Thespians are eligible to attend, non-Thespians must be invited to attend by the Troupe sponsor (Mrs. Kelly).
College Scholarship Auditions
Only graduating inducted seniors are eligible for audition.
Students must be on record as members of the International Thespian Society by November 1st.
There is no limit to the number of students who may audition or present a technical portfolio for college representatives.
- College and university representatives are not permitted to make specific scholarship offers during the conference.
- Some universities & colleges use this forum as a screening process. They may require a second audition.
- Students whose names are posted at callbacks by colleges/universities are responsible for making contact with the representatives. Usually, discussions focus on campus visitations and what the college has to offer.
- College/university representatives recommend taking the SAT and ACT tests early enough to have those scores listed in Acceptd.
Full details about auditions can be found HERE. Pay close attention to all deadlines. THERE ARE NO EXCEPTIONS TO THE DEADLINE: counselor, sponsor, parent, technical difficulties, etc. Students, Parents, Sponsors, or Administrators should not call or email asking for exceptions.
Two students from each troupe may apply for the Kansas Thespian Scholarship. In addition to writing an essay and completing an interview, the following qualifiers are also used in rewarding this scholarship.
- A minimum grade point average of 2.75.
- Be an official member of the International Thespian Society.
- Plan to enroll in a theatre or the communicative arts program at an accredited college or university.
- Complete a performance audition and/or technical theatre portfolio interview with the colleges in attendance.
Kansas Thespian Conference Individual Events (IE's) is an educational program that offers Thespians the opportunity to receive constructive feedback on prepared theatrical material and technical designs.
The performance Individual Events include: Monologue, Duet Acting, Group Acting, Solo Musical Theatre, Duet Musical Theatre, and Group Musical Theatre.
The technical Individual Events include: Costume Construction, Costume Design, Lighting Design, Scenic Design, Short Film, Sound Design, Stage Management, and Theatre Marketing.
More information about IE's can be found HERE.
What is an Honor Troupe?
Honor Troupe is a recognition program for high school theatre troupes in Kansas. It is NOT a competition with other Thespian troupes. Any Thespian troupe that meets the criteria, completes the portfolio / notebook, and successfully participates in an interview session at the Kansas Thespian Conference may achieve Honor Troupe status. Campus Troupe #573 has received the Gold Honor award for the past five years.
- Honor Troupe awards are divided into three categories: Gold Honor Troupe, Silver Honor Troupe, and Bronze Honor Troupe.
- The projects to earn Honor Troupe are completed from conference to conference (spring semester and fall semester).
- All categories, except "New, Innovative Project" and "Touring Productions" must be separate and distinct.
Conference Health/Security Form MUST be filled out and notarized before Christmas Break.