Thespian Festival Registration

Key Dates & Deadlines – 2027

  • Pre-Registration Opens: September 1st, 2026

  • Thespys® Registration Opens: September 1st, 2026

  • Pre-Registration Due: November 3rd, 2026

  • Thespys® Registration Due: November 12th, 2026

  • Final Registration Opens: November 20th, 2026 (Pre-reg required)

  • Thespys® Payments Due: December 1st, 2026

  • Final Registration & All Materials Due: January 12th, 2027

  • All Payments Due: January 29, 2027

  • Festival Dates: February 12–13, 2027

Festival Fees – 2027

Attendance Fees

  • Students (Both Days): $68

  • Teachers/Directors (Both Days): $68

  • STO President: No charge

  • STOs: $50

  • Friday Only: $58

  • Saturday Only: $45

Additional Fees

  • Backstage Challenge: $15 per school

  • Chapter Select: $50 per school

  • Thespys (formerly Individual Events): $15 per category

Your Registration Includes:

For Students:

  • Access to all mainstage performances

  • Access to all Festival workshops

  • Friday Banquet (semi-formal dinner included)

  • Ticket to the Friday night UM/Guest Performance

  • The opportunity to represent your school and troupe at a statewide level

  • The chance to compete in Thespys®, earn Festival awards and trophies, and qualify for the International Thespian Festival (ITF)

For Adults (Directors/Teachers):

  • Access to all mainstage performances

  • Access to all Festival workshops

  • Friday Banquet (semi-formal dinner included)

  • Ticket to the Friday night UM/Guest Performance

  • Saturday Troupe Director Annual Meeting Lunch (for directors or authorized voting reps)

  • The opportunity to connect with fellow theatre educators statewide, share resources, and collaborate

  • A platform to showcase your school’s theatre program, gain recognition for your troupe, and highlight the value of theatre within your district and community

  • The chance for your students and troupe to earn awards, statewide recognition, and qualify for the International Thespian Festival (ITF)

Festival Events & Opportunities

  • Chapter Select—Directors may use the regular registration form to apply for their school’s performance to be considered for Chapter Select.

  • Backstage Challenge – Enter your troupe’s crew in this timed technical theatre competition (also included in the regular registration form).

  • Thespys® – Students can showcase their individual performance and technical skills through the International Thespian Excellence Awards. This event has its own registration form and page.

  • Fun Events – Festival favorites like Tongue Twisters and Death By… competitions are also part of the regular registration process and will be featured on the events page.

See the Festival Events page for full descriptions and rules.

When registering your troupe for the Festival, you’ll be able to sign up for various events that highlight student talent both onstage and off.

Festival Events
Thespys® Registration & Info (Opens Sept. 1st)

How to Register Your Troupe:

  1. Complete Pre-Registration

  2. Submit Final Registration

  3. Wait for your invoice. After your Final Registration is processed, an invoice with exact fees and payment instructions will be sent.

  4. Send payment by check following the invoice instructions. All Festival payments are due by January 29, 2027.

    • Payments should be made only after receiving your invoice, which will outline your exact fees and instructions.

👉 Note: Registration and payments for Thespys®(formerly Individual Events)are separate processes with their own forms, deadlines, and fees.

Pre-Registration: Opens SEPT. 1st
Final Registration: Opens NOV. 20th
Scholarships & Awards
Festival Resources

 FAQs

  • All Festival registrations must be completed by troupe directors or teachers on behalf of their school or troupe. Students and individuals may not register themselves. Directors/teachers will also handle registering any students who wish to participate in the Thespys® (these are individual events, but registration is still managed by the director/teacher).

    You do not have to be an officially chartered Thespian troupe to attend Festival—any theatre program or school group is welcome to register and take part in workshops, shows, and activities. However:

    • Performance slots (such as mainstage Chapter Select) are prioritized for active Thespian troupes.

    • Only active troupes are eligible to register/compete for Chapter Select.

    • Theatre groups are welcome to attend simply to watch and participate in non-performance activities if they prefer.

  • Yes. We have arranged a limited hotel block for Festival attendees. Details (including rates, booking information, and availability) will be provided in your Pre-Registration and Final Registration materials.

    We encourage schools to review lodging information early once materials are released because space is limited and assigned on a first-come, first-served basis.

  • Please email Sarah DeGrandpre (chapterdirector@mthespians.com) as soon as possible. Pre-registration is required before Final Registration; exceptions are handled case-by-case, but we do everything we can to include any troupes or schools that would like to attend.

  • Start with the Festival Resources. Each year, we publish updated packets and policies that cover almost everything you need to know, including:

    • Troupe Director Packet

    • Student Packet

    • Performance Packet

    • Festival Policies & Terms

    These resources are designed to answer nearly every common question — from schedules and expectations to performances, workshops, and policies. Links will be shared during Pre-Registration and Final Registration, and can be accessed anytime through the Festival Resources page.

  • All Festival payments are due by January 30, 2026. Late payments incur a $75 fee, plus $75 each additional month until paid.

    There are exceptions for specific circumstances. Please get in touch with the CFO, Kay Sibson (kay@novapricity.com), for other arrangements.

    • After you complete Final Registration, you will be sent an official invoice with your school’s exact balance and payment instructions.

    • All Festival payments must be made by check following the invoice. Please do not try to calculate and send payment early—wait for your invoice.

    • Thespys fees are billed and paid separately through their own registration system.

    • If you have questions about payment or invoices, contact Kay Sibson at kay@novapricity.com

  • No. Thespys is optional and has its own registration, deadlines, and fee. Festival registration does not include Thespys.

  • Yes. You can choose Friday-only or Saturday-only registration instead of both days. See the Fees section for current rates.

  • Edits or substitutions may be made after the January 12, 2026, due date, with a $15 per-change fee.

  • Please refer to the Festival Policies & Terms for the refund/adjustment policy. If you have a unique situation, contact Kay Sibson at kay@novapricity.com.

  • Registration & General Inquiries:

    Chapter Director — Sarah DeGrandpre chapterdirector@mthespians.com

    Payments & Invoicing:

    CFO — Kay Sibson kay@novapricity.com