Purpose PROMISE Progress

t r o p e R l a u n n A A dT 9 E 201 LEADERSHIP

Board of Directors Dear Members of EdTA, Paul Hampton Lauren Peck Gai Laing Jones, President Ninety years ago, three theatre teachers in a small West Virginia town had a vision: to honor Theatre educator, author Georgia Oklahoma students of theatre at the level enjoyed by student athletes and to advance school theatre as Ojai, California Julia LoPresti Phillip Goodchild Scott Wilson, Vice President Hawaii Ontario an essential academic discipline. They could foresee that establishing a national association School Counselor Sterling Blackwell Jo Lane would bring the kind of attention, resources, and rewards that lead to more opportunities. Columbus, Ohio Idaho Oregon Laurie Baskin James Smith Mark Zortman Our founders had big dreams. And if these three men could have seen the Educational Theatre Communications Group Illinois Pennsylvania Theatre Association this past year, they would not believe their eyes! New York, New York Raymond Palasz Robert DiMartino Hunter Bell Jeremy Leazenby Bruce Rhode Island Today we have the same vision and our dreams are just as big, but we can fulfill them in Writer, performer Indiana ways our founders never thought possible. We have chapters across the nation and around New York, New York Joe Timmons Aaron Dean South Carolina the world that continue to grow their impact, expanding our reach from the American high Krista Carson Elhai Leslie LaCorte Kit Rodgers school Thespian to include junior Thespians, international troupes, teacher professional Theatre educator Iowa Claremont, California South Dakota development and networking, student leadership and advocacy, and more. In 2019, we Chad Nulik Mark Saltalamachia Helen Duranleau-Brennan Kansas brought students and chapter leaders from 31 chapters together in Washington, D.C., as Literacy and arts consultant Tennessee part of EdTA’s biannual Theatre Education Advocacy Day. We also celebrated and learned Carolyn Greer Davenport, Iowa Amy Jordan Kentucky alongside Broadway stars at the largest-ever EdTA National Conference, held in New York Marti Fowler Texas Cherie Firmin City, the theatre capital of the world. And with perhaps the most significant breakthrough Retired theatre educator Adam Slee Kristi Jacobs-Stanley for teachers since the launch of EdTA 30 years ago, we unveiled Theatre Educator Pro, the St. Louis, Missouri Utah Louisiana association’s online home for professional development. TE Pro brings coursework, webinars, Richard Frazier Anthony Cimino-Johnson John Lincoln Artistic Director, Theatre Macon Victoria Kesling Councill and other resources developed by educators to educators — right at their fingertips. Maine Macon, Georgia Virginia Dorothy DeLucchi David Tate Hastings Kristina Cummins Since 1929, we have inducted more than 2.4 million students into the International Thespian Maryland Theatre educator Stewart Hawk Society. We have chartered more than 8,000 Thespian troupes, each with its own story yet Olathe, Kansas Jessica Harms Washington all coming together as one community. Behind every troupe is a theatre teacher dedicated Massachusetts Scott Walker Martha Louden to the growth and success of students. What our founders envisioned, you are living and Theatre educator Anne-Marie Roberts West Virginia redefining every day. Milwaukie, Oregon Michigan Harold Easton Jeff Whiting Jennifer Farrell Western Pacific Islands We have more work to do, but it’s time to celebrate all we have accomplished in service of Director and choreographer Minnesota Christi Geidner New York, New York students. Thank you for choosing to dedicate your time to participating, volunteering, and Erick Weeks Wisconsin Mississippi leading in the association! Chapter Directors Zach Schneider Jennifer Forrest-James Wyoming Jamie Stephenson Missouri Julie Cohen Theobald, Executive Director, EdTA Alabama Sarah DeGrandpre International Thespian Jenell Riordan Montana Officers Kim Bonagofski Emily Mokrycki Anna Hastings, ITO Chair Gai Lang Jones, President, Board of Directors Arizona Brooke Phillips Troupe 5006, Olathe South High School Marisa Arnold Nebraska Olathe, Kansas Arkansas Sharon Chadwick Spencer Angell Anna Hastings, Chair, International Thespian Officers Craig Wrotniak Krysta Phenix Troupe 639, Salina Central High School British Columbia Nevada Salina, Kansas EdTA Board from left to right: David Hastings, Scott Wilson, Laurie Baskin, Marti Fowler, Hunter Bell, Gai Laing Jones, Scott Walker, Jeff Whiting, Julie Cohen Stacy Castiglione Carolyn Little Nic Fallacaro Theobald, Helen Duranleau-Brennan, Richard Frazier, Krista Carson Elhai Michele Richardson New Jersey Troupe 830, Pennsbury High School California Chris Gonzales Yardley, Pennsylvania Kelley McKinnon New Mexico Keith Peacock China Lindsay Shields Troupe 5297, Lee County High School Tami LoSasso New York Leesburg, Georgia Colorado Medina Demeter Abby Stuckrath Charles Alexander Christopher Veneris Troupe 5869, Denver School of the Arts Connecticut North Carolina Denver, Colorado Tracy Friswell-Jacobs Irene Imboden Maura Toole Delaware Patricia Santanello Troupe 7993, Grimsley High School Ohio Greensboro, North Carolina Lindsay Warfield Florida

1 CELEBRATING 90 YEARS OF HONORING STUDENTS

At this year’s conference, EdTA unveiled Theatre Educator Pro, a new professional development portal offering In 2019, the International Thespian Society marked standards-aligned, field-tested materials designed by educators for educators. EdTA created Theatre Educator Pro to the 90th anniversary of its founding with a yearlong affirm and support the professionalism of theatre educators and elevate their professional development. (See page 4.) celebration of the power of theatre education to AIM 3: Acquaint its various member troupes with the best available plays for high school dramatics. instill confidence, creativity, and compassion to How EdTA achieves it: build better communities. Dramatics magazine remains, after 90 years, the only publication exclusively devoted to the high school student interested in theatre. This year, Dramatics In the 2018-19 school year, 59,000 new Thespians were inducted, and since its founding, ITS now counts more than launched a companion website, Dramatics.org, 2.4 million theatre students who have been honored. The honor society was founded in Fairmont, West Virginia, featuring more stories on acting, technical theatre, and during the 1928-29 school year, chartering its first troupes in April 1929. Today, Thespian troupes are active in all 50 dramatic creation, as well as photos and videos from states and 13 countries. across the “Thespian Nation.” “This membership milestone, coming in the midst of the 90th anniversary year of ITS, is a testament to the clarity of In 2019, the Annual High School Play Survey vision of the ITS founders: to ‘better high school dramatics’ and recognize participation in dramatics ‘as is true with completed its 81st list of the most-produced high high school athletics,’” said EdTA Executive Director Julie Cohen Theobald. “The values instilled by participation in school musicals, full-length plays, and short plays. National Public Radio updated its comprehensive, interactive school theatre benefit those students every day for the rest of their lives.” database of EdTA’s survey, bringing to light trends in American high school theatre from the 1940s until today. EdTA fulfills the founders’ aims through a variety of programs and services — including new initiatives launched this anniversary year. AIM 4: Offer members the advantages gained through the exchange of ideas and suggestions relative to the field of dramatics. AIM 1: Furnish suitable reward and recognition for participation in dramatics. How EdTA achieves it: How EdTA achieves it: The award-winning online Theatre Education Community is open to all educators, students, and friends of Thespians enjoy induction into the honor society educational theatre. With more than 12,000 members, it is the most robust digital forum in the field. and receive honors recognition at graduation in addition to unique opportunities to learn and AIM 5: Encourage more experimentation in dramatics. develop skills at chapter and national events. How EdTA achieves it: In the 2019-20 school year, the International Thespian Excellence Awards, or ThespysTM (formerly EdTA’s Next Generation Works programs promote called National Individual Events) will debut as the original writing by and for members of ITS in the categories of playwriting, musical theatre, premier recognition for student theatre achievement Student performing in National Individual Events at the 2019 International Thespian — both performance and technical. (See page 13.) Festival. filmmaking, and critique. At the International Thespian Festival, student finalists work with AIM 2: Serve as a powerful agent in aiding the director of dramatics in securing more and better professional directors, dramaturgs, musical directors, and student actors to refine and present their works; cooperation in his or her field of activity. they are later published in Dramatics. Next Generation Works playwright finalist, Breanna Spink, and teacher at 2019 How EdTA achieves it: International Thespian Festival EdTA’s journal Teaching Theatre celebrated its 30th AIM 6: The society upholds the belief that the spirit of democracy must prevail in school dramatics, anniversary this year. and serves only as a reward for having done creditable work.

Since its establishment in 2014, EdTA has been a How EdTA achieves it: member of the National Core Arts Standards education partnership since its founding in 2014 and has been “ITS today has a worldwide reputation for being an inclusive home, a safe space, and a place where instrumental in developing and publishing the Core Teachers in dance workshop at the 2019 EdTA National Conference. Theatre Standards; the Opportunity to Learn Standards; students can find and exercise their voice,” said Theatre Educator Evaluation Workbook; and the Theatre Curriculum Framework. Theobald. “We are proud of the fact that, for nearly a century now, we have stayed true to the vision EdTA’s annual National Conference includes keynotes from thought leaders in the fields of education, theatre, and and mission of ITS by bringing recognition to school beyond; day-long professional development intensives; and dozens of workshops. The 2019 event, in New York City, theatre.” was our best-attended National Conference to date. (See page 11). Students and teacher backstage at the International Thespian Festival.

2 3 THEATRE EDUCATOR PRO THEATRE EDUCATION ADVOCACY DAY

In 2019, the Educational Theatre Association launched Theatre Educator Pro, its new online learning center for professional development resources and coursework. The site marks the first standards-focused professional development portal just for theatre teachers. Access to all aspects of the site are included in EdTA membership.

Since 2014, EdTA had been building a series of high-quality educational resources driven by the latest educational trends, issues, and policies. EdTA is the co-author of the National Core Theatre Standards and the author of the Theatre Opportunity-to-Learn Standards, the High School Theatre Teacher Evaluation Workbook, and the Model Theatre Curriculum Framework, funded in part by a grant from the National Endowment of the Arts. EdTA’s Theatre Educator Pro is the next logical step to complement these resources and to help affirm the Delegates at the 2019 EdTA Theatre Education Advocacy Day in Washington, D.C. professionalism of theatre educators and to improve the success and literacy of their students. July 15-16, 2019 I Washington, D.C. Preparation included months of in-depth study of products and practices of other major arts education associations, The second biennial EdTA Theatre Education Advocacy Day was held July as well as member surveys and focus groups with EdTA chapter directors to determine the features members 15-16, in Washington, D.C. For this event, 125 adult and student members preferred. 125 representing 31 Chapters engaged in a day of advocacy training followed by a Student & Adult In addition to rigorous standards-based resources and models of assessment and curriculum, the portal is day of visits to congressional offices on Capitol Hill. Delegates continuously updated with live and archived webinars, additional courses, and an evolving lesson plan library, Training day workshops ranged from sessions detailing proposed 2020 federal curated through the lens of those vital areas of study identified in the Model Curriculum Framework project. funding appropriations for the arts and arts education, to grassroots advocacy training to prepare members to make their “ask” on Capitol Hill. Sessions were conducted by EdTA Advocacy Leadership Network Chapter representatives 31 and staff from the national arts advocacy organization, Americans for the Arts. Chapters Theatre Educator Pro Benefits Members made more than 130 visits to Senate and House of Representative Represented legislator offices, where they advocated for federal funding for the National Endowment for the Arts, the Assistance for Arts Education Program, and Title Curriculum you can use in class and on stage IV, Part A, along with a request that Congress urge the Federal Communication Commission to protect theatre education’s financial investment in wireless microphone technical equipment. Lesson plans and teaching tools for all grade levels K-12 According to EdTA Director of Educational Policy James Palmarini, 2019 was a particularly important year for arts education advocacy. “The 2018 mid- term elections brought 101 new House representatives and 10 new senators to Washington. These freshmen legislators are looking for facts and figures More than Live and on-demand webinars with certificates of completion to help them become literate on policy and legislation that can affect their constituencies back home. This was a critical opportunity for theatre education advocates to connect with legislators and their staffs, both first-year members 130 and veterans.” Visits to Elected Samples of student work and videos illustrating proficiency Officials EdTA Leadership Summit I July 17-19, 2019 I Washington, D.C. Robust search engine for easy access to materials 134 42 $7.5 MILLION Ready when you are, 24/7 Volunteer Chapters Ask for the National Leaders Represented Endowment for the Arts 4 5 AWARDS

Outstanding School Hall of Fame Recognizing theatre programs that exemplify and promote high standards in educational theatre Recognizing individual members who have made outstanding contributions to theatre education over 20 years or more

Lewis & Clark High School Woodmont High School James A. Garfield High School Leavenworth Senior High School James Thomas Bailey Robert Fowler Lynn Jensen Tony Matthes Jennifer Morgan-Beuchat Troupe 6356, Spokane, Wash. Troupe 7407, Piedmont, S.C. Troupe 5419, Seattle, Wash. Troupe 287, Leavenworth, Kan. Justin-Siena HS Retired Thomas Jefferson HS Retired from Edina HS Leavenworth Senior HS Suzanne Maguire and Harry Culpepper Jr. and Erin Gill, Stewart Hawk, director Jennifer Morgan-Beuchat, Troupe 7802, Napa, Calif. Chesterfield, Mo. Troupe 561 Troupe 1539 Troupe 287 Greg Pschirrer, directors directors director Cedar Rapids, Iowa Edina, Minn. Leavenworth, Kan.

Outstanding Administrator TIOS Outstanding Impact Recognizing outstanding individuals who have demonstrated exemplary support for educational theatre

First Place Second place Third place Leavenworth Senior High School Valley View High School Westerville North High School Wade Norton, principal Jon Bullock, executive director Paul Griep, principal Troupe 287, Leavenworth, Kan. Troupe 4735, Moreno Valley, Calif. Troupe 3156, Westerville, Ohio Smith-Cotton High School, Sedalia, Mo. Redmond Proficiency Academy, Redmond, Ore. Har-Ber High School, Springdale, Ark. Troupe 4261 Troupe 7715 Troupe 7262 Teri Turner, director Kate Torcom, director Tony Terrell, director President’s Award Legislator Leadership Advocacy Award Founders’ Award Recognizing an individual who has Recognizing a legislator who has demonstrated Recognizing work of an Inspirational Educator made exceptional contributions to the public leadership in support of theatre and individual or group that Recognizing individuals who have inspired their students and dedicated themselves to providing high quality theatre education association, EdTA president, board of other arts education policy and practice on a supports the principles and directors, or volunteer leadership of EdTA national or state level mission of the EdTA founders

Richard Fairchild Rebekah Hess Alissa Vogelgesang Arcadia High School Rock Ridge Performing Arts Carroll County High School Robert Henrichs Marion Combs Elise Stefanik Dr. Mary Schuttler Troupe 320, Phoenix, Ariz. Troupe 8104, Ashburn, Va. Troupe 8704, Carrollton, Ky. Lincoln Southwest HS Development Director, EdTA New York U.S. Representative (R) University of Northern Colorado Troupe 6547, Lincoln, Neb. Cincinnati, Oh 21st District Greeley, Colo. Honorary Thespians Of The Year Recognized for going above and beyond in their role as a volunteer Volunteers Of The Year Standing Ovation Award Recognizing individuals who make Recognizing a corporation or organization that makes significant contributions to theatre exceptional volunteer efforts education on the national level through philanthropic efforts or its programs and activities

Brent Kelderman Andy Turner Millard West High School Smith-Cotton High School Troupe 5483, Omaha, Neb. Troupe 4261, Sedalia, Mo. Lied Center Ushers Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS Lincoln, Neb.

6 7 VOLUNTEER NETWORKS, GROUPS, AND COMMITTEES

Advocacy Leadership Network Finance Steering Committee

The Advocacy Leadership Network (ALN) is a group that trains and empowers adult members in grassroots David Hastings M. Clinton Merritt Jeremy Leazenby Bruce Mike Hunter advocacy efforts on behalf of theatre and other arts education. The ALN was created in 2016, prompted by the Olathe South High School Alabama Northwestern High School Grinnell Middle School 2015-16 passage of the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), the federal education law that gives ownership to state Troupe 5006 Troupe 3924 Troupe 8926 and district decision makers in determining how and what education is delivered to their K-12 students. The goal Kansas Aileen Zeigler Indiana Iowa Brownell Talbot School of the network is to ensure theatre education is included in discussions about the curricular, staffing, infrastructure, Frank Pruet Troupe 8093 Kathleen Conner and other needs of the field. ALN began with 10 chapters in 2017 and now represents 22. Georgia Nebraska California Alison Johnson Helen Duranleau-Brennan Mallory Nonnemaker California Iowa Georgia Teri Turner Missouri Leadership, Education, Advocacy, and Development for Students Andrea Lee Roney Jason Pratt Michael Daehn Pennsylvania Michigan Indiana Vivian E. Isaacs Leadership, Education, Advocacy, and Development for Students (LEADS) is comprised of more than 60 adult New Mexico Anthony Cimino-Johnson Jason Robert LeClair Preston Eberlyn leaders responsible for student leadership across 34 chapters, including Virginia Rhode Island Ohio Zachary Schneider Wyoming Alabama Georgia Louisiana North Carolina Ohio Texas Benjamin Stuart Jennifer Morgan-Beuchat Shannon Horn Washington Kansas South Carolina Zachery W. Bates Arkansas Iowa Maryland Nebraska Oklahoma Virginia New Jersey Christopher Veneris Kate Torcom Sharon Fenwald Chadwick Arizona Illinois Michigan New Jersey Oregon Washington North Carolina Oregon Nevada California Indiana Minnesota New Mexico Pennsylvania Wyoming Erick J. Weeks Lindsay Shields Tami LoSasso Colorado Kansas Missouri Nevada South Carolina Mississippi New York Colorado Florida Kentucky Mississippi New York Tennessee

ETF Chapter Advisory Committee Legacy Circle Committee The ETF Chapter Advisory Committee is the key interface between EdTA Chapter leadership and the Educational Theatre The Legacy Circle Committee encourages EdTA members, ITS alumni, and ETF stakeholders to “fund the future” and Foundation (ETF) on identifying funding priorities and needs for chapters and troupes. CAC members serve as liaisons have a lasting impact on school theatre, students, and teachers through bequests, gifts of retirement assets, and when ETF functions as a community foundation for chapters and troupes that wish to have professionally managed gifts of life insurance, among many other planned giving options. Through the Legacy Circle, any EdTA chapter investment and endowment funds and planned giving programs, as well as financial resource development training. or ITS troupe can also have its own planned giving program, and Legacy Circle members can designate a troupe, Jeff Hall Krista Carson Elhai Jennifer Morgan-Beuchat Karen Pionke chapter, or a special program as their beneficiary. Co-Chair, Oregon California Kansas Illinois Debby Gibbs Robert Henrichs Gai Laing Jones Terry McGonigle Gloria McIntyre Michael J. Peitz Patricia Santanello David Hastings Ray Palasz Jamie Stephenson Chair, Tupelo, Miss. Lincoln, Neb. Ojai, Calif. Springfield, Ohio Rocky River, Ohio Delhi, Iowa Co-Chair, Ohio Kansas Indiana Alabama Marisa Arnold Jeremy Leazenby Bruce Linda Phillips Arkansas Indiana Arizona Membership Advisory Group the Membership Advisory Group (MAG) members personally welcome and engage with new members within their chapter to promote involvement. This personal contact is a key to the association’s impressive 94 percent member Chapter Director Advisory Committee retention rate. As the “eyes and ears” of the field, MAG members also provide essential information about existing and potential products, services, and events, helping EdTA gain deeper insights into members’ needs and preferences. Sharon Chadwick Stewart Hawk Brooke Phillips Christopher Veneris Nevada Washington Nebraska North Carolina Jamie Stephenson Andre Rodriguez David Hastings Richard Osann Robert DiMartino Amy Jordan Jenell Riordan Scott Wilson Vestavia Hills HS Denver School of the Arts Olathe South HS Bar Harbor, Maine Rhode Island Co-Chair, Texas Arizona EdTA Board Rep Troupe 1437 Junior Troupe 88486 Troupe 5006 Mountain Brook, Ala. Broomfield, Colo. Olathe, Kan. Jessica Harms Marti Fowler Chad Nulik Patricia Santanello Mark Zortman Acton-Boxborough HS EdTA Board Rep Co-Chair, Kansas Ohio Pennsylvania Krista Carson Elhai Paul Hampton Susan Cates Troupe 5552 Claremont HS Columbus, Ga. Berea, Ky. Acton, Mass. Paul Hampton Raymond Palasz Jamie Stephenson Troupe 2129 Georgia Indiana Alabama Claremont, Calif. James Smith Kerry Onxley Karen Miller Ridgewood Community HS The Children’s Theatre Company Lakeland HS Troupe 6662 Troupe 5701 Troupe 7905 Arlington Heights, Ill. Lake Charles, La. Novi, Mich.

8 9 VOLUNTEER NETWORKS, GROUPS, AND COMMITTEES LARGEST NATIONAL CONFERENCE IN EDTA HISTORY

Membership Advisory Group continued

Jennifer Farrell Chris Gonzales Jason LeClair Chaska HS Albuquerque, N.M. Beacon Charter HS for the Arts Adam Slee 650 Troupe 6517 Troupe 7444 Da Vinci Academy of Science & Participants Plymouth, Minn. Jeff Hall North Providence, R.I. The Arts Jesuit HS Troupe 6871 Erick Weeks Troupe 5575 Joe Timmons III Odgen, Utah Pearl HS, Portland, Ore. Lancaster, S.C. Troupe 4537 Harold Easton Pearl, Miss. Tiffany Carstensen Shannon Horn Marianas HS Jennifer Forrest-James Douglas McKay HS Goose Creen, S.C. Kit Rodgers Troupe 5374 Parkway South HS Troupe 1981 Susupe, Saipan Salem, Ore. Sioux Falls, S.D. 46 Troupe 3168 States Ballwin, Mo. Melissa Mintzer Darla Jones Valerie Gargus Penn Manor HS Fort Worth Academy of Fine Arts 3 Troupe 6391 Workshop at the 2019 EdTA National Conference. Northern Burlington Co. Reg. HS Troupe 274 Willow Street, Penn. Fort Worth, Texas Countries Troupe 4762 September 2019 I New York City Mt. Laurel, N.J. About 650 educators, teaching artists, exhibitors, and Thespian Alumni Network sponsors came together in New York for three days in 60 September with “Stories to Tell” to remember the past, Workshop To connect Thespian alumni through networking, advocacy, and passion for the benefit of past, present, and future celebrate the present, and imagine the future. Sessions Thespians. 67 Exhibitors Mari Adams Grant Steckbeck Allyn Huggins Marie Iachetta St. John Paul II Catholic HS Bloomington North HS North Carolina New York Troupe 7374 Troupe 414 Lauren Peck Alabama Indiana Emily Mokrycki Burke HS Poteau HS Elvia Borst David Hastings Troupe 4138 Troupe 3283 Arizona Olathe South HS Nebraska Oklahoma Troupe 5006 Kelley Marchant 6 Michael Aldama Kansas Zachery Bates Jane Chu speaking at the 2019 EdTA National Conference. California Gloucester County Inst. of Tech. Rex Putnam HS Professional Carolyn Greer Troupe 5480 Troupe 2225 Keynote speaker Jane Chu, former chair of the National Oregon Development 3 Krista Carson Elhai Owensboro HS New Jersey Endowment of the Arts, encouraged delegates to honor Claremont HS Intensives Storytellers Troupe 3161 Melissa Mintzer diverse styles and perspectives as they guide students to Troupe 2129 Kentucky Alyssa Sileo California New Jersey Penn Manor HS unlock their creative power, both in the arts and in life. Todd Avery Troupe 274 Melody Hellard Jenison HS Jason Wylie Pennsylvania California New Jersey Troupe 5421 Victoria Kesling Councill 4 Michigan Jen Vargas Melissa Munoz New Kent HS Keynote Florida Jennifer Farrell Mayfield HS Troupe 7644 Presenters Marc Kudisch Chaska HS Troupe 2996 Virginia Leslie La Corte New Mexico Troupe 6517 Marisa Turner Davenport North HS Minnesota Troupe 3994 Michelle Bidart Virginia Iowa Nevada Andrea Martin Suzanne Maguire Kristin Anderson-Lopez and Stephen Schwartz at the 2019 EdTA National Conference. Missouri Michael Sommers Mark Drum Washington Renowned composer Stephen Schwartz shared insider Indiana Malaika Quarterman New York Caitlin Maxwell tips and disarming anecdotes about his musical theatre Kristen Peppermint Power Academic & Perf Arts Ctr West Virginia Jane Chu Troupe 4909 career during his conversation with award-winning Anderson-Lopez Mississippi songwriter and lyricist Kristin Anderson-Lopez. Rachel York, Peppermint, and Marc Kudisch also shared their stories on the conference stage. And all attendees celebrated the story of 90 years of honoring students Rachel York as the International Thespian Society marked this Beth Stephen milestone anniversary year. Leavel Schwartz

10 11 FLAGSHIP STUDENT OFFERINGS ENHANCED

Introducing the Thespy Awards

EdTA’s popular National Individual Events (NIEs) 4,500 + program is now the International Thespian Excellence People in Attendance Awards, or ThespysTM for short. The new name reflects EdTA’s dedication to supporting excellence in the theatre arts by recognizing the highest level of student achievement in performance and technical theatre. This educational program gives Thespians the 47 opportunity to receive constructive feedback on States + Canada prepared theatrical material and technical designs. Students who achieve overall Superiors at their chapter Students performing in the 2019 International Thespian Festival Opening Show. and earn the top scores in their category at the International Thespian Festival Prepares to International Thespian Festival will earn International Take a Larger Stage Thespian Excellence Awards. All Thespy Award winners will be honored on the main More Thespians than ever are attending EdTA stage at the International Thespian Festival Showcase, festivals — both in their chapters and at the United Arab Sweden China the celebratory closing event. Select award winners will International Thespian Festival (ITF). Emirates be invited to travel to New York City and Los Angeles To accommodate this growth and provide more to perform or present at the Educational Theatre opportunities for more students, ITF will relocate to Foundation’s Broadway Back to School and Thespians Indiana University (IU). Go Hollywood galas — offering the opportunity to 800 + meet and learn from industry professionals. Workshops 49 Dramatics.org Performances As the only magazine written specifically for high school theatre students, Dramatics has been a go-to source for Thespians since the founding of the International Thespian Society in 1929. Now, Dramatics is sharing even more stories from across the Thespian Nation at Dramatics.org. Dramatics.org is the newly launched companion website to Dramatics magazine. While the print edition will continue, Dramatics.org features even more stories by and about Thespians and Thespian troupes including photo Be More Chill performance at the 2019 International Thespian Festival. galleries and videos. The move to the Bloomington campus is a 1,700 During its first year in 2019, Dramatics.org grew to more than 16,000 page views a month generated by more than homecoming of sorts: IU hosted the very first 852 11,000 users. ITF, then called the National High School Drama Students Students Conference in 1941, continuing through 1956. The Auditioning for Participating in event returned to IU from 1960 to 1964 and from Colleges & Scholarhips National 1968 to 1970. Individual ONSTAGE OFFSTAGE BACKSTAGE THESPIAN NATION Moving campuses is a big, exciting change after 25 Events years of ITF at the University of Nebraska at Lincoln (UNL). The festival reached capacity at UNL in 2017 and had a waiting list in 2018 and 2019. Roughly 60 4,500 attended ITF in 2019. With IU’s larger theatre Colleges Recruiting & Offering venues — including the 3,154-seat Auditorium and Scholarships 1,460-seat Musical Arts Center — ITF will be able to welcome nearly 2,000 additional Thespians and $ teachers in the coming years. 15,000 in Scholarships Awarded

12 13 CONVERGENCE!

From left Bartlett Sher, James Palmarini, Dakin Matthews, Will Pullen, Brannon Evans, Gideon Glick, Celia Keenan-Bolger ,Julie Cohen Theobald, Gbenga Akinnagbe, missing Democracyworks Essay Contest, Theatre in Our Schools Month, and To Kill a Mockingbird

The Democracyworks Essay Contest, sponsored by thousands of students and theatre educators amplify publisher Concord Theatricals, which aims to honor that message through social media and through visits and showcase the voices of student advocates for to their communities, school boards, and elected arts education, in 2019 was won by Brannon Evans of officials, including in Washington, D.C. Aaron Sorkin, Brannon Evans, Celia Keenan-Bolger, Julie Cohen Theobald Millard West High School, Thespian Troupe 5483, in Omaha, Nebraska. She wrote about her experiences But in 2019, TIOS Month had an unusual, and rather The team learned of Evans’ winning Democracyworks in her school’s production of To Kill a Mockingbird. First grand, finale! On April 2, Broadway’s To Kill a Mockingbird essay, based on her personal experience with a runner-up was Lena Dougherty of Troupe 7564 at presented 400 middle and high school Thespians from school production of To Kill a Mockingbird, where Middle Township High School, Cape May Court House, the D.C. area with a special performance of the play at she addressed matters of race and self-identity, and New Jersey. Second runner-up was Julie Matta of the Library of Congress in support of TIOS. discovering how theatre “empowers those of us Troupe 1038 of South Tama, Iowa, High School. who may feel marginalized by who we naturally are.” “Theatre,” she said, “is what brought us together, and The Democracyworks winner earns $250 cash and that feeling is something everyone should have the a trip for themselves and a chaperone to attend the opportunity to experience.” National Arts Action Summit, an annual Washington, Jeff Daniels, Gbenga Akinnagbe in foreground D. C., gathering of arts advocates from throughout the To dramatize the importance of TIOS, the production country which takes place in March, the same time as of To Kill a Mockingbird awarded Evans a $10,000 Theatre in Our Schools Month. college scholarship, made possible through a grant to the Educational Theatre Foundation. She, and her teacher Brooke Phillips, were present to accept the scholarship from playwright Aaron Sorkin. Evans was then invited by the play’s director, Bartlett Sher, and D. C. area Thespians at the Library of Congress Sorkin to participate in the performance for a cast member who could not make the trip to Washington. The group was welcomed by Carla Hayden, the librarian of Congress, and Speaker Nancy Pelosi, U.S. House of Representatives, as well as the cast and Cast with one of the D.C. area troupes (ID’d on photo?) creative team of the Broadway production.

Brooke Phillips, Brannon’s mother, Helen Evans, Brannon Evans, and Bartlett Sher

Theatre in Our Schools Month (TIOS) is a grassroots advocacy campaign, led each year by EdTA, ITS, and the American Alliance for Theatre and Education. The goal is to raise public awareness of the impact of theatre education and the need for more student Carla Hayden and Julie Cohen Nancy Pelosi, Speaker, U.S. House of access to quality theatre programs. During TIOS Month Theobald Representatives

14 Brannon Evans with TKAM cast during performance 15 FINANCIALSCHAPTERS CHAPTERS

The Legacy Circle * Through their long-term financial and estate planning, Legacy Circle members continue to shape lives through theatre 148 education and to have a lasting impact on school theatre, students, and teachers. Chapter Events Eric Brannen Robert Henrichs Gloria McIntyre Jo Nell Seifert Atlanta, Ga. Lincoln, Neb. Rocky River, Ohio Poplar Bluff, Mo. Rodney (Joe) Burnsworth Robert Johnson Christina Myatt Jerry D. Smith Jr. Virginia Beach, Va. Northport, Fla. LeClaire, Iowa Conyers, Ga. Mary Kay Everett Gai Laing Jones William Myatt Scott Walker Princeton, N.J. Ojai, Calif. LeClaire, Iowa Milwaukie, Ore. Debby Gibbs, Chair John Kauss Jeff Nienhueser Brian Welch Tupelo, Miss. South Bend, Ind. La Vista, Neb. St. Louis, Mo. 108,356 Melba Day Sparks Henning Terry McGonigle Michael J. and Linda Peitz Shelley Yeatman Students Springfield, Ohio Delhi, Iowa Conyers, Ga.

2019 Sponsors Delegates at the 2019 EdTA Leadership Summit

International Realtime Music Solutions Savannah College of Art and Theatre In Our Schools EdTA Chapters Host Hundreds of Events for Thespian Festival ShowTix4U Design Thousands of Thespians Seat Yourself (TIOS) $ AMDA College and Conservatory TRW (Theatrical Rights 250,000 + ShowTix4U Disney Theatrical Group of Performing Arts Worldwide) TRW (Theatrical Rights On The Stage In the 2019-20 school year, beginning last August and The American Academy of in Scholarships Awarded Worldwide) continuing through May, EdTA chapters planned to host Dramatic Arts EdTA National Conference JumpStart Theatre by Chapters bodymics.com 148* events involving more than 108,356 students, where bodymics.com Leadership Summit Broadway Across America Booktix: Online Ticket Solution Booktix: Online Ticket Solution Booktix: Online Ticket Solution Music Theatre International they would hone and showcase their theatre skills through Broadway Cares/Equity Fights Bright Lights Big City Tours Broadway Cares/Equity Fights (MTI) AIDS (Charitable Partner) workshops, individual events, one-acts, tech challenges, Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS (Charitable Partner) Broadway Licensing/Playscripts main stage productions, and more. AIDS (Charitable Partner) Broadway Licensing/Playscripts EdTA Chapter Matching Concord Theatricals Broadway Licensing/Playscripts Concord Theatricals Scholarships Disney Parks Live Entertainment Chapter events also offer students the opportunity to reach BMD - Broadway Media Disney Theatrical Group Disney Theatrical Group Seat Yourself beyond the confines of their own schools; meet students 21 Distribution Music Theatre International Dramatic Publishing Company Cleveland Play House (MTI) New Troupe Welcome from the area; learn from industry professionals; and get Dramatists Guild Professional Development Concord Theatrical People Facts (Trak-1 Screening) Sponsor Dramatists Play Service access to colleges, with many offering auditions. Events for Teachers Disney Parks Live Entertainment Playbill Lincoln Convention & Visitors Broadway Licensing/Playscripts Disney Theatrical Group Seat Yourself Bureau Overall chapters award more than $250,000 in scholarships Dramatists Play Service Showtix4U Democracyworks Music Theatre International Music Theatre International and there are millions of dollars in scholarships available (MTI) Theatrefolk Concord Theatricals (MTI) from the colleges. National Theater Institute On The Stage Nebraska Thespians New Troupe Charter Playbill In addition, chapters planned 21 professional development New York Conservatory for Grants Realtime Music Solutions Dramatic Arts Broadway Cares/Equity Fights events for teachers, for more than 1,000 participants. Playbill AIDS (Charitable Partner) These chapter events are self-sustaining and generate 1,000 + Operating Revenue And Expenses revenue which chapters use to support students and Teacher Participants activities in their region.

4% 7% 4% 7% *While more than 90 percent of the events were held, beginning in March, 10% 8% 7% 2020 a dozen planned events were cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 20% 2% 10% 3% 5% 3% 1% 5% 23% 8% 2018 2018 2019 2019 ITS Honors for Thespians Significantly Increase REVENUE REVENUE 12% EXPENSES 12% EXPENSES Two Years Running 32% 52% 30% 54% 35,000 + In both 2018 and 2019, the number of inducted Thespians 11% 31% 9% Honor, National Honor, and 30% earning honor designations increased significantly. More International Honor Thespians than 35,400 Thespians in 2019 received honor, national • Educational Events: $3,755,313 • Management and General: $1,355,480 • Educational Events: $4,233,371 • Management and General: $1,730,130 honor, or international honor designations, a more than 100 • Membership: $2,285,218 • Educational Events: $2,092,717 • Membership: $2,345,135 • Educational Events: $2,303,992 percent increase over 2018, which had been an 88 percent • Net Sales: $709,440 • Publications: $726,302 • Net Sales: $593,022 • Publications: $683,982 • Publications: $312,078 • Membership: $789,260 • Publications: $319,485 • Membership: $911,193 increase over 2017! More than 18,600 Thespians were listed 18,600 + • Contributions and Grants: • Chapters and Community: $703,035 • Contributions and Grants: • Chapters and Community: $575,288 as scholar, vice president’s, or president’s list scholar, also $13,760 • Business Partner Support: $225,643 $242,596 • Business Partner Support: $497,048 Thespians Listed as Scholar, • Investments and Other Income: • Technology: $531,557 • Investments and Other Income: • Technology: $523,660 more than double those listed in 2018. Vice President’s Scholar, and $167,930 • Advocacy: $326,349 $59,894 • Advocacy: $341,804 President’s Scholar

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