International Thespian Society

International Thespian Society

The Davis Academy Junior Thespians are a part of the International Thespian Society (ITS). ITS is designed to be an honorary organization that recognizes and rewards excellence among the participants in the theatre arts program. Junior Thespian membership should be viewed as an honor and a goal to which Davis Academy Performing Arts middle school students aspire.

We will hold monthly meetings during the school day, typically at study hall. We plan and hold events to shows, have fields trips, social gatherings, and improv game days in 

addition to awarding points for students actively involved in all areas of performing on stage or on crew inside and outside of school.

Benefits of Junior Thespian induction:

• Membership in the only international honor society for junior high/middle school theatre arts students—a recognized demonstration of achievement and a valuable addition to college and employment applications.
• An official Junior Thespian induction pin.
• A personalized membership certificate.
• A personalized membership card.
• Ability to begin their high school careers with half of the Thespian points required for high school induction.
• Leadership opportunities at the troupe and chapter levels (per chapter policy).
• Eligibility to participate in individual events at chapter conferences and the National Individual Events Showcase (NIES) at Festival (per chapter policy).
• Eligibility to receive Junior Thespian honor items (medallions, point stars, etc.).
• Eligibility to receive Junior Thespian scholar distinction for academic achievement.
• Discounts to local, regional, and national organizations who participate in EDTA/ITS benefits.

About Junior Thespians

Since 1929 the International Thespian Society, the student honorary division of the Educational Theatre Association, has worked to promote theatre arts in education. ITS has provided high school-age students and their theatre teachers with support, information, and experiences that make educational theatre an important part of their school experience. In 1990, the Educational Theatre Association has expanded its vision and service of educational theatre to embrace grades kindergarten through twelve. The Junior Thespian component of the International Thespian Society is a result of that change.

The Junior Thespian troupe is a subset of a school’s theatre arts program. It is the student honor society, a separate student organization, and membership is earned. Only students who have been officially inducted and registered with the EdTA national office are members of the International Thespian Society.

Junior Thespian membership is open to students in grades 6 through 8, who  have completed at least 50 hours of excellent work in theatre arts. Points are earned for hours spent in rehearsal and performance, working on production crews, set crew, tech crews or in committees, serving on leadership teams and helping with projects. Stars can be awarded for additional points earned.

Junior Thespians graduating to high school programs. 

When Junior Thespians graduate from grade eight and move to a high school with a Thespian troupe, they remain Junior Thespian members and alums of their Junior Thespian troupes. They also begin earning points toward a new Thespian membership and induction into the high school troupe. ITS allows Junior Thespians to begin their high school careers with at least half of the Thespian points required for high school induction, normally five Thespian points. The decision as to how many additional points can be carried is made by the troupe director of the high school Thespian troupe, in accordance with the troupe’s constitution and bylaws.