Chapter FAQ

A chapter is a separately incorporated organization that is affiliated with the Educational Theatre Association (EdTA) and established to deliver the EdTA mission to members in a given area. Chapters have geographic territories, such as a state, a province, or a country. Every EdTA member, Thespian, Junior Thespian, Troupe Directors, Professional, Pre-Professional, and Emeritus, within a chapter’s territory is automatically a member of that chapter. Each chapter is governed by a local board of directors that establishes and executes the programs that the chapter will offer. Programming offered by the chapter may include festivals, teacher conferences, professional development, student leadership and advocacy. Many chapters offer Thespy® qualifying events which allow Thespians who receive overall Superior scores at a chapter qualifying event to have their performances adjudicated at the international level. The International Thespian Excellence Awards (Thespys^® for short) recognize the highest level of achievement in school theatre performance and technical theatre.

A troupe is established at a school to recognize and honor student achievement in theatre. Students that meet the requirements are inducted into the troupe, depending on grade level, as either Junior Thespians or Thespians. A chapter is an incorporated organization that is affiliated with the Educational Theatre Association and serves all members, including troupes, within the assigned geographic territory for the chapter.

When a new troupe is chartered or an individual joins as a Professional, Pre-Professional or Emeritus member, they are assigned to a chapter based on their physical location.