Iowa Thespian Festival

Registration Information

Festival Registration

Follow this step-by-step guide to ensure you complete each part of the registration process. If you have questions about registering, contact Mike Hunter at mike.hunter@grinnell-k12.org.

DEADLINE: FRIDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2021
REGISTRATION FOR THE 2021 FESTIVAL IS CAPPED AT 700 PARTICIPANTS, SO BE SURE TO REGISTER EARLY!

Step 1: Check out the Iowa Thespian Festival Guide and share with your students. 
  • You are encouraged to look through the guide to learn about all festival opportunities
  • The guide notes the events that troupe directors will need to register students for in advance through the online registration system, as well as additional applications that students must submit by the registration deadline. 

Step 2: Have students/parents sign and turn in the Festival Consent Form
  • All students will need to have a completed digital form in order to participate in the festival

​Step 3: Login to the school registration system 
  • If you are a new troupe director, contact Mike Hunter at mike.hunter@grinnell-k12.org to learn how to log in to your school account. Do not create a new account if your school has attended festival before
  • If your school has not attended festival in the past ten years, you can create a new account on the school registration system. When you register, be sure to click on High School for the account (not adult)​​
CHECK OUT THE HELPFUL TUTORIAL VIDEO BELOW TO SEE HOW TO REGISTER YOUR STUDENTS, CHAPERONES, AND EVENTS WITH THE ONLINE REGISTRATION SYSTEM.
TUTORIAL VIDEO: RETURNING TROUPE DIRECTORS
TUTORIAL VIDEO: NEW TROUPE DIRECTORS

If you are a new troupe director AND your troupe has not attended festival in the past ten years, click on the video below to learn how to create an account for your school with our online registration system.

If you are a new troupe director, but your school has attended festival recently, your school will already have an account in our online registration system. Email Mike Hunter at mike.hunter@grinnell-k12.org to update your login with your contact information. 
Step 4: Register your students and events on the online registration system
  • ​If students have attended festival before, you can register them by typing their last name in the search bar
  • To register a new student, click on the green "New Student" icon

Step 5: Register all the events for the students
  • Troupe directors should register students for all festival opportunities. Double check that you registering your students for any of the following - 
    • ​Thespy performances
    • Studio Theatre or Mainstage performances 
    • Student Leadership Lunch
    • Tech Challenge
    • College/Thespian Scholarship Auditions
    • State Thespian Officer Candidates
    • ImprovWorks
  • You do not need to pre-register for workshops on this online registration system

Step 6: Ensure your Thespy performance students submit their performance application (if applicable)
  • Secure rights/royalties for any Thespy performances that are necessary (if applicable)
  • Check out the Thespy Award information for more details on securing rights for performances

Step 7: Ensure your scholarship students submit their audition forms (if applicable)
  • If you have a student auditioning for scholarships, the online materials must be submitted by October 15, 2021
  • This online registration form includes a headshot, resume, application, and troupe director recommendation.
  • Check out the College/Thespian Scholarship Auditions for full information

Step 8: Ensure your State Thespian Officer Candidates submit their application (if applicable)
  • If you have a student running for the State Thespian Officer Board, the online State Thespian Officer Application Form MUST be submitted by the registration deadline (October 15, 2021)
  • The State Thespian Officer Application Form includes a Resume, Essays, Troupe Director Recommendation Form, and STO Contract. 
  • Check out the State Thespian Officer Candidate page for full information

Step 9: Recommend a student for the Michael Peitz Leadership Award (optional)
  • If you have a deserving student that demonstrates outstanding leadership skills, you are encouraged to recommend the student for the 2021 Michael Peitz Leadership Award
  • Check out the Michael Peitz Leadership Award information

Step 10: Submit your online registration and payment​
  • Please mail one check for registration fees, including Thespy performances, Studio Theatre performances, scholarship auditions, etc. Check should be made payable to "IOWA THESPIANS." No purchase orders will be accepted.​
  • Mail registration materials and payment to: Mike Hunter, Iowa Thespian Treasurer, ​Grinnell High School, 1333 Sunset Street Grinnell, Iowa, 50112. 
  • You are not officially registered until online registration forms have been submitted and all fees have been paid. ​

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