Nationwide, International Thespian Society chapters (states) recognize outstanding achievements in one-act plays by nominating one production to travel to and exhibit their performance at the International Thespian Festival (ITF) in June at Indiana University Bloomington. Wisconsin Thespians is excited to offer this amazing opportunity through our partnership with WISDAA. At ITF the audience attends to discover rich new theatrical works, rediscover classic pieces from fresh new angles, and celebrate these outstanding student works!
Presented in partnership with:
Opt-In Option for One-Acts at State #
Shows participating in the WISDAA one-act play contest series and who advance/qualify to the WISDAA State Festival in November can opt-in for Thespian appraisal – for an additional fee. Only one school will be selected to represent Wisconsin. Middle Level schools may participate in the WISDAA one-act contest, but cannot earn qualification to ITS. A school also must register for membership as a Thespian Troupe and pay dues to the Educational Theatre Association.
EdTA Rules & Rubric #
Scenery/Set Piece Restrictions #
Emphasis is on storytelling, so no scenery nor set pieces (except those listed below) are allowed.
All materials brought for a show must fit within an 8 ft. x 8 ft. square
Each item must fit through a single, standard door and can be carried on and off stage by one person during the performance.
These items, (in quantities noted) that may be carried by more than one person may be brought by schools to WISDAA festivals and do not count as part of what must fit within an 8 ft. x 8 ft. square. At the International Thespian Festival, all these items will be provided by the EdTA (but will not be provided in Wisconsin).
- Desk (1)
- Stationary (non-wheeled) desk chair (1)
- Kitchen table (1)
- Stools (6)
- 16-inch square cubes (8)
- Stacking chairs (6)
- Bench (1)
- Ladder (1)
- Music stands (8)
How to Opt-In #
When completing initial registration for the season (pre-district) on SpeechWire, directors/teachers will indicate a non-binding intent to participate if their one-act advances to the state festival (this helps us estimate what fee to charge for opting-in at the state festival, distributed among participating schools to pay the appraiser).
In mid-October, WISDAA will notify directors if the International Thespian Festival has awarded Wisconsin a slot for performance, and what the Wisconsin state-level opt-in participation fee will be, based on schools who initially indicated their intent to participate. If Wisconsin is not awarded a slot, appraisal-adjudication will not happen at our state festival, and schools will not be assessed a fee.
After a school advances from sectional one-act contests to the state level, directors must complete registration confirmation for the state festival. At that point, directors/teachers must confirm they are opting-in their one-act to the chapter select contest, which will add a fee.
