State Thespian Officer Candidates

What is a State Thespian Officer?
State Thespian Officers (STO) are the student leaders of the Iowa Thespian Chapter Board and represent all Thespians in the State of Iowa.  The STO are selected at the Virtual Festival, and members serve from March 2021– January 2022.  Activities include:
  • Attending all Iowa Thespian Chapter Board meetings
  • Organizing and participating in the Iowa Junior Thespian Festival
  • Attending/participating in the International Thespian Festival and completing the ITF leadership workshops
  • Conducting leadership workshops at the Iowa Thespian Leadership Day
  • Organizing and implementing ideas for the State Thespian Festival
  • Communicating with Thespians through various outlets, including social media
  • Promoting the work of the International Thespian Society and Iowa Thespians
Transportation to and from all Iowa Thespian in-person activities is the responsibility of the student, their parent(s) or legal guardians, and/or Troupe Director. Iowa Thespians and the Educational Theatre Association are not responsible or liable for transportation of student board members. 

State Thespian Officers MUST be available for the following meetings/events (specific dates are TBA):
  • April 2021 - Board Meeting
  • June 22 - June 25, 2021 – International Thespian Festival (Virtual)
  • July 2021 - Board Meeting
  • August 2021 – Iowa Leadership Day (date TBA)
  • September 2021 - Board Meeting
  • October 2021 - Board Meeting
  • Thursday, November 11 – Saturday, November 13 – Iowa Thespian Festival at UNI
  • January 2022 - Board Meeting

Election Procedures
Although State Thespian Officers are selected during the State Festival, potential candidates must first attend (or, if virtual, participate in) the Iowa Thespian Leadership Day in August. Candidates must then complete the State Thespian Officer Candidate Application and submit all required documentation to the Festival website by the February 22, 2021 registration deadline.


During the Virtual Festival, each student board candidate will participate in a leadership session with the current STOs. Further, each candidate will have an opportunity to meet with the Iowa Thespian Board Selection Committee and give a five-minute presentation, followed by a short interview. The five-minute presentation should focus on the following two key questions:

1. What is your theatre story?
  • ­Share your background on how you became interested in theatre, how it has impacted you, and why you want to be a leader in state educational theatre. Emphasis should be on your leadership experience in theatre. 
2.  What is your vision for Iowa Thespians?
  • ­Share your vision for moving Iowa Thespians forward. What ideas do you have to improve the organization? What leadership could you provide to help reach these goals?

Digital Presentation
State Thespian Officer candidates should prepare a digital presentation that highlights their theatre story. This presentation may include photographs and/or images that help the selection committee to get to know the candidate. The emphasis of the presentation should be on the candidate’s past leadership experience in their theatre background. The digital presentation must be submitted ahead of the interview; all presentations must be emailed to Aaron Dean at adean@dbqschools.org before midnight on Sunday, March 21, 2021. 

​Selection Process
All candidates will be selected based upon their participation at the Leadership Day, as well as their completed application, presentation, interview, and participation throughout the virtual Festival, including the Leadership Session for STO Candidates. If a candidate has a conflict with the Festival schedule, please contact Aaron Dean at adean@dbqschools.org for assistance. The new student board members will be announced on the Iowa Thespian website, and will be introduced to delegates during the Virtual Festival closing ceremonies. 

State Thespian Officer Candidate Process

Step 1: Complete the online State Thespian Officer Candidate Application (found below)
  • You will need to include the following documents with your application -
    • Resume
    • State Thespian Officer Contract (download contract by clicking here) 
    • Essay Responses 
Step 2: Share the Troupe Director Recommendation Form with your troupe director
  • Troupe Directors will need to submit this recommendation before the registration deadline (February 22, 2021)
Step 3: Save the date for the STO candidate interviews and leadership training session
  • Tuesday, March 23 (6:30 PM) 
  • After a 45-minute leadership training session at 6:30pm, STO candidates will have a scheduled interview with the selection committee via Zoom
  • The interview schedule will be shared with candidates after the registration deadline (February 22, 2021)
Step 4: Create a digital presentation that emphasizes your theatre story, focusing on your theatre leadership experience
  • The digital presentation should be emailed to Aaron Dean (adean@dbqschools.org) by midnight on Sunday, March 21
Step 5: Prepare for your Zoom presentation/interview
  • Meet with the Iowa Thespian Board Selection Committee to give a presentation, which will be followed by a short interview. The five-minute presentation should focus on the following two key questions:
    • What is your theatre story?
      • Share your background on how you became interested in theatre, how it has impacted you, and why you want to be a leader in our state educational theatre. Emphasis should be on your leadership experience in theatre.
    • What is your vision for Iowa Thespians?
      • ­​Share your vision for moving Iowa Thespians forward. What ideas do you have to improve the organization? What leadership could you provide to help reach these goals?
  • ​Students should remember to dress appropriately for their interview.
  • All candidates will be selected based upon their participation at the Leadership Day, as well as their completed application, presentation, interview, and participation throughout the weekend.  
Step 6: State Thespian Officer announcement
  • All candidates will receive feedback from the selection committee on their candidacy
  • The new student board members will be announced before the closing ceremonies of the virtual festival on the Iowa Thespian website: www.IowaThespians.org.
  • In addition, the students will be introduced to delegates during the closing ceremony. 

Transportation to and from all Iowa Thespian activities is the responsibility of the student, their parent(s) or legal guardians, and/or Troupe Director. Iowa Thespians and the Educational Theatre Association are not responsible or liable for transportation of student board members.

Questions regarding the Chapter Board selection process should be directed to Aaron Dean at adean@dbqschools.org.

Thank you to our festival sponsors!

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 Directors at adean@dbqschools.org and lacorte.leslie@gmail.com