2018 Iowa Junior Thespian Festival

The inaugural Iowa Junior Thespian Festival, Blast Off: An Exploration of Theatre, will be held on Saturday, March 24 in the Performing Arts Center at Waukee Theatre Arts Center (575 SE University Avenue, Waukee, Iowa). This event is open to all middle school students to attend with his or her middle school. 

EVENT INFORMATION
At the Festival, middle school students will have the opportunity to participate in a wide variety of  workshops about many aspects of theatre, including Musical Theatre, Dance, Auditioning, Stage Combat, and Technical Theatre. The workshops will be taught by outstanding theatre artists from across the state. Students will also see a full-fledged performance on the Festival mainstage, and have the opportunity to meet other middle school theatre students from across the state.

Who Can Attend
Middle school students, their teachers, and chaperones are welcome at the 2018 Iowa Junior Thespian Festival.  Please encourage all middle school students that are interested in theatre to attend Festival.  The Iowa Junior Thespian Festival is an excellent opportunity for students of all backgrounds and experiences to view and enjoy outstanding theatre activities. 
 
Please plan an appropriate number of chaperones for the size of your delegation.  We recommend you register one chaperone for every 8-10 students.  All chaperones should plan to participate and accompany students throughout the Festival day.  This will help ensure a successful, smooth and enjoyable Festival for all! 
 
Teacher Responsibilities
All students MUST have a designated lead teacher or chaperone that is on-site throughout festival. Registration must be submitted by the school, and the school must designate the lead teacher or chaperone responsible for a school’s delegates. The school will need to determine if a non-teacher or director (i.e. parent) may be designated as the school’s lead chaperone. Students will be representing their school at the festival, so schools will determine if the lead chaperone is prepared to supervise students at festival.
 
All chaperones have a responsibility to help ensure all students have a safe and educational experience at Festival.  Please monitor your own students.  Please contact Festival officials if there are issues with ANY student throughout the Festival.  Together, we will be able to provide students the very best opportunity for learning!
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FESTIVAL SCHEDULE
9:00 - 9:30 AM        Festival Registration
9:30 - 9:40 AM        Opening Ceremonies
9:45 - 10:25 AM      Workshop #1
10:30 - 11:10 AM    Workshop #2
11:15 - 11:55 PM    Workshop #3
11:55 - 12:30 PM    Lunch
12:35 - 1:15 PM      Workshop #4 (Teacher Roundtable)
1:20 - 2:00 PM        Workshop #5  
​2:00 - 2:45 PM        Performance: Live from Waukee
2:45 - 3:00 PM        Closing

REGISTRATION INFORMATION

Step 1.
Download the 2018 Iowa Junior Thespian Festival Registration Packet

Step 2.
Complete the 2018 Iowa Junior Thespian Festival Registration Form

• If you have more than 25 students attending from your school, please submit a second form

Step 3.
Download and print the Festival Medical Consent Form for each student

Step 4.
Mail your medical forms and payment to: 
         Michael Hunter
         Iowa Thespian Treasurer
         Grinnell High School
         1333 Sunset Street
         Grinnell, Iowa 50112

Step 5: 
Registration is complete! Be sure to arrange transportation for you and your students to attend the Festival on Saturday, March 24 at Waukee High School. 
        Waukee Theatre Arts Center
        575 SE University Avenue
​        Waukee, Iowa 

TRAVEL INSTRUCTIONS
Waukee Theatre Arts Center
575 SE University Ave
Waukee, IA 50263

TRAVEL:
Waukee is located West of Des Moines. 
FROM I-80/35: take Exit 124 to University Ave. From there, head West for about five miles. The Waukee Theatre Arts Center is the first building on your right once you pass the railroad tracks.
FROM I-80/235: take Exit 118 to Grand Prairie Parkway. From there, head North for about two miles. Take a left on University Ave. The Waukee Theatre Arts Center is the first building on your right.

PARKING:
Feel free to park in any of the parking lots surrounding the Theatre Arts Center. 

ENTRANCE:
The Waukee Theatre Arts Center is connected to Prairieview School. Please enter through the main doors of the Theatre Arts Center rather than the doors to Prairieview

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FESTIVAL STAFF
Please contact any of the individuals below if you have questions about the 2018 Iowa Junior Thespian Festival. 
Festival Chair: Katie Howard                Bettendorf HS                          khoward@bettendorf.k12.ia.us
Chapter Director: Aaron Dean              Dubuque Senior                       adean@dbqschools.org   
Chapter Director: Leslie LaCorte         Davenport North                      lacorte.leslie@gmail.com 
Festival Host: Nate Jorgensen             Waukee HS                              njorgensen@waukeeschools.org

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