Iowa Thespian Festival

Mainstage Performances

 Mainstage performances are an opportunity for schools to bring a full-length show to the Iowa Thespian Festival. Schools will be selected by members of the Iowa Thespian Chapter Board to perform on the stage of the Gallagher-Bluedorn Performing Arts Center, with the help of the professional staff of the GBPAC. Please check out the mainstage guidelines below before submitting your mainstage application. Troupe directors will be contacted shortly after the application deadline with the announcement of selected shows. 

MAINSTAGE APPLICATIONS FOR THE 2023 IOWA THESPIAN FESTIVAL WILL BE AVAILABLE IN APRIL 2023
Mainstage Guidelines
  • The mainstage production's director MUST have previously directed a Studio Theatre at the Iowa Thespian Festival
  • Schools will not be allowed to present a mainstage show at two consecutive Iowa Festivals.
  • All mainstage show content must be appropriate for a high school audience.
  • If selected, the director of your production will need to complete a performance contract (complete with technical packet and details) and attend an on-site meeting with the technical staff at the University of Northern Iowa during the month of October to finalize all technical and load-in/load-out details.
  • If you are interested in being adjudicated for International Thespian Festival, please check out the virtual adjudication process through the EdTA. Adjudicators will not be attending our festival this fall.
  • If you have questions about the mainstage application, please contact our Mainstage Coordinator, Tom Stephens at tstephens@mvcsd.org. ​​

Festival Quick Links
IOWA THESPIANS
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Our mission is to honor student achievement in theatre and enrich the educational experience, to support educators by providing professional development, networking opportunities, resources, and recognition, and to influence public opinion and policy-makers that theatre education is essential and builds life skills.
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We are passionate about theatre education and believe all students should have access to theatre curriculum which provides critical life skills for educational and career success in the 21st century.

Questions? Contact our Chapter Director Lynn Jensen at jensenlynna@gmail.com