Why Start a Thespian Troupe?

The school administration must appoint one adult to serve as the official troupe director. That person will complete the troupe activation process. Here’s a checklist to help you charter a new troupe or reinstate a lapsed troupe to active status.

1. Confirm school eligibility.
   Public schools, private schools, charter schools, magnet schools, home school groups, virtual/online schools, youth theatre groups, theatre-only schools or academies, and professional or community theatre company educational programs are all eligible to establish troupes, so long as they serve the purpose of providing theatre education to students.

Contact our membership team if you have questions about your organization’s charter eligibility.

2. Complete your application online.
   

• • Create an account or log in to an existing account.
  • Click Activate a Troupe in the left-hand menu.
  • When prompted, search for the name of your school in the Search for a School/Troupe field. If multiple troupes with the same name exist, verify you are selecting the correct record using the city and state. Select your school and click Next.
  • If the search returns no results or you know your school has no prior affiliation with ITS, check the box next to New School. Enter the information for your school and click Next.
  • When prompted, select your preferred method of payment and submit your application.

For more detailed instructions, please visit How to Use the Online Membership Portal.

If you want to notify students in advance, need help collecting student contact information, or want to collect induction fees from students, you can download the optional Thespian induction invitation sheet, give one to each eligible student, and have them return the R.S.V.P. to you.

3. Arrange payment.
   

   One-time activation fee (charter or reinstatement)	$100 US / $127 CAD
   Annual troupe dues	$129 US / $163 CAD
   *One-time Thespian induction fee (per student, grades 9-12):	$35 US / $45 CAD
   *One-time Junior Thespian induction fee (per student, grades 6-8):	$17 US / $22 CAD

* Junior Thespians (grades 6-8) must be re-inducted at the Thespian level once they enter the ninth grade and have completed the additional requirements for Thespian induction. Their work as a Junior Thespian starts them off with a minimum of five of the 10 points needed for Thespian induction.

Payment and processing options are detailed in the troupe activation application process.

Questions? Contact our membership team.

Ready to go?