What is the International Thespian Society? 

The International Thespian Society, a division of EdTA, is an honorary organization for high school and middle school theatre students. There are ITS troupes at more than 4,900 affiliated secondary schools across America and abroad. The Society’s mission is to honor student achievement in the theatre arts. Students earn induction by participating in an affiliated school’s theatre program and accumulating points based on the quality and quantity of their work in theatre.

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Motto: "Act well your part; there all the honor lies."

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How do students benefit from International Thespian Society affiliation? 

Thespians and Junior Thespians receive the highest recognition due those who have demonstrated commitment and excellence in their school’s theatre program—induction into the world’s largest theatre honor society. In addition to the many tangible benefits, inductees enjoy the sense of community and recognition inherent in being inducted into an honor society. ITS membership and its system of progressive honors and recognition encourages them to practice their craft and to grow as a person. The 21st century skills that they learn from a quality theatre arts education—creativity, self-confidence, leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills, as well as specific theatre skills—will benefit them throughout school and beyond.

 

How do students qualify for membership? 

Students qualify by earning points for their work in the theatre arts. ITS provides a point system guide for reference. One Thespian point represents ten (10) hours of excellent work. To be eligible for Thespian induction, a student must obtain a minimum of ten points, the equivalent of one hundred hours AND participate in at least two productions. To qualify for Junior ITS, students must obtain a minimum of five points AND participate in at least two productions.