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Joining the Dublin High School Chapter of the International Thespian Society
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What is a Thespian?
Actors and actresses are called thespians in honor of Thespis, a Greek playwright and performer. Around 535 B.C., Thespis added a new dimension to drama by stepping out of the Greek chorus during a performance and reciting portions of the text alone, becoming the first actor. He is also credited with inventing the theatrical mask.
“It is generally supposed that Thespis, who managed a traveling company, transported his actors in wagons, which also served as their stage,” according to The Cassell Companion to Theatre, which quotes this couplet from John
Dryden:
Thespis, the first professor of our art,
At country wakes sang ballads from a cart.
Thespian with an uppercase “T” refers to a member of the International Thespian Society, the world’s largest honor society for theatre students. The designation “Thespian” includes student members who excel in technical and production fields as well as performance in their high school theatre. Junior Thespians are middle school/ junior high members of ITS.
“It is generally supposed that Thespis, who managed a traveling company, transported his actors in wagons, which also served as their stage,” according to The Cassell Companion to Theatre, which quotes this couplet from John
Dryden:
Thespis, the first professor of our art,
At country wakes sang ballads from a cart.
Thespian with an uppercase “T” refers to a member of the International Thespian Society, the world’s largest honor society for theatre students. The designation “Thespian” includes student members who excel in technical and production fields as well as performance in their high school theatre. Junior Thespians are middle school/ junior high members of ITS.
Benefits of Thespian induction
- Membership in the only international honor society for high school theatre arts students—a recognized demonstration of achievement and a valuable addition to college and employment applications.
- A membership certificate (see “Thespian credentials” below).
- A personalized membership card (see “Thespian credentials” below).
- A one-year (nine issues) subscription to Dramatics magazine (a $27 value). The first issue will arrive within 6 to 8 weeks for students inducted August through March. Students inducted April through July will receive their first issue in September.
- The ability to renew the subscription at a special member rate ($15 as of 4/1/10). Note: All Thespians are sent renewal notices before their subscription expires. This provides them the opportunity to continue receiving the magazine at our lowest member rate, and is a lifelong benefit.
- Leadership opportunities at the troupe, chapter, and international levels.
- Eligibility for scholarships through EdTA chapters and the home office.
- Eligibility to apply for student grants, including the Doug Finney Festival Grants (juniors and seniors), which are need-based grants to help Thespians attend the ITS Festival.
- Eligibility to audition at the Thespian Festival for admission to college theatre programs.
- Eligibility to submit original plays to the Thespian Playworks program.
- Eligibility to audition for chapter Individual Events programs and qualify for the National Individual Events Showcase (NIES) at the Thespian Festival.
- Eligibility to receive Thespian graduation and honor items (honor cords, point stars, pins, etc.).
- Eligibility to advance to Thespian ranks of Honor, National Honor, or International Honor Thespian.
- Eligibility to receive Thespian scholar distinction for academic achievement.
