Festival Events

Chapter Select

Chapter Select is an Educational Theatre Association (EdTA) program that spotlights outstanding school productions through one-acts or cuttings that celebrate student performance and storytelling. At the Montana Thespian Festival, active Thespian troupes may apply for a Chapter Select slot during Festival registration. Productions chosen as Montana’s Chapter Select may qualify to advance and be showcased at the International Thespian Festival (ITF), representing our state on the national stage.

Participation at the Montana Festival

• Apply for Chapter Select as part of Festival registration (no separate form).

• An additional participation fee is required.

• Chapter Select entries are adjudicated using the current ITF Chapter Select rubric.

• This rubric and process differ from the adjudication used for other one-acts at the Montana Festival.

• Entries must be presented as simply staged one-acts or cuttings from full-length productions.

🔗 View the Chapter Select EdTA page

Pathway to ITF

Productions chosen as Montana’s Chapter Select may be nominated to advance to ITF the following June. Please note:

• Only productions from troupes planning and able to attend ITF will be considered.

• ITF costs are approximately $1,000 per person (not including travel).

• Strict adult-to-student chaperone ratios are required at ITF.

• Troupes must show proof of means (fundraising plan, budget, etc.) for ITF attendance before final Festival registration and paying the Chapter Select fee.

Important Notes:

• ITF and Chapter Select guidelines, adjudication rubrics, and attendance requirements are subject to change each year.

• Always review the official EdTA resources for the latest details:

  • Chapter Select Guidelines & Rubric

  • International Thespian Festival Information

Backstage/Tech Challenge

The Backstage Challenge, also known as Tech Challenge, is a timed technical theatre competition designed to showcase your troupe’s creativity, teamwork, and problem-solving skills behind the scenes. Teams rotate through a series of surprise prompts and practical challenges — from cable coiling to quick changes — using only the materials provided.

This event emphasizes collaboration, quick thinking, and the hands-on skills that make live theatre possible. It’s a fun, high-energy way for technical theatre students to shine — and top teams will take home trophies to celebrate their achievements!

2026 Backstage Challenge Categories:

• Lighting: Hang and Focus

• Stage: Leg platform

• Costume: Quick Change

• Stage: Prop Shift

Check here for the list of Backstage Challenge categories each year.

Tongue Twisters & Death By… Scenes

Looking for a little extra fun at Festival? Don’t miss our Tongue Twisters and Death By… Scene events on Saturday! These lighthearted competitions are all about creativity, quick thinking, and having a good time.

• Who can participate? Each troupe may have up to two students total (one for each event, or the same student in both).

• How to sign up: Students cannot register on their own. Your troupe director must approve and sign you up. Directors should include participants during final Festival registration, or they can add names in person at Festival check-in.

Whether you’re performing or cheering on friends, these events are always a Festival favorite!

Thespys®

The International Thespian Excellence Awards—known as the Thespys®—give students the chance to be recognized for achievement in performance and technical theatre. Students may present monologues, songs, scenes, designs, and other theatre work for adjudication using national standards.

At the Montana Thespian Festival, students can earn feedback, ratings, and the possibility to qualify for the International Thespian Festival (ITF). Registration for Thespys is completed by troupe directors on behalf of individual students.