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Hello Iowa Thespians!
Happy Theatre In Our Schools Month! I’m not quite sure where February went, but now that we’re in March, we’re that much closer to Spring Break! To engage with Theatre In Our Schools Month, check out EdTA’s TIOS Toolkit. Thank you for all of the work that you do on the daily to champion theatre education across the state. Whether you are told or not, you make a difference in the lives of so many. Theatre Matters. Below are updates from EdTA / Iowa Thespians: Iowa Thespian Festival 2026 | Mainstage Application Open! Already thinking about this fall? Consider bringing a Mainstage Performance to the Iowa Thespian Festival on the GBPAC Stage! Applications are NOW OPEN for the 2026 Iowa Festival. Not sure what your fall looks like yet? No problem. The application will remain open for a few months to allow ample planning. Applications are due June 19th. If you have any questions, please reach out to our Mainstage Coordinator, Tom Stephens ([email protected]). International Thespian Festival | Registration Open! Registration is now open for the International Thespian Festival at the University of Indiana Bloomington this summer, from June 21-26! The International Thespian Festival is the theatre event of the summer, bringing together middle and high school theatre students, educators, artists, celebrities, and more to celebrate what being a Theatre Kid is all about. Learn more and register here. Theatre Education Conference | Registration Open! Registration is now open for the Theatre Education Conference this summer. The conference is designed for educators from across the country. This year, the conference will take place in New York City between July 22-24. Registration includes: tickets to two Broadway shows, 30+ concurrent workshops, special access to the Drama Book Shop and Museum of Broadway, networking events, receptions, late-night karaoke, and a Professional Development Certificate. Learn more and register here. Iowa Scholarship for the Arts The Iowa Arts Council is pleased to share that applications are now open for the 2026 Iowa Scholarship for the Arts, a statewide program supporting outstanding Iowa high school seniors who excel in the arts and plan to pursue arts-related studies at an Iowa college or university. The scholarship awards $5,000 to selected students to support tuition during the 2026–2027 academic year. Applications are now open and will close April 1st. Year-At-A-Glance Iowa Thespians and EdTA provide a variety of events for you and your students throughout the year, check out of all of the opportunities and be sure to SAVE THE DATE:
Iowa Thespians Performance Calendar Help us promote your upcoming shows! Fill out the Iowa Thespians Production Calendar Form so that we can add your shows to our 2025-2026 Production Calendar on our website. We hope to send as many State Thespian Officers to see and promote your productions as possible. Resources / Reminders Below you will find additional information regarding EdTA and your Thespian Troupe.
As always, if you need anything throughout the year or have questions about Iowa Thespians / EdTA, please do not hesitate to reach out. -- Nate Jorgensen | Chapter Director IowaThespians.org | SchoolTheatre.org
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 Dear Iowa Fine Arts Educators,
On behalf of the Iowa Alliance for Arts Education Executive Board, Advisory Board, and our burgeoning membership, we invite you to become a member today! Membership in the Alliance increased by over 40% last school year, and its work in advocacy, mentorship, and professional development for all fine arts educators in Iowa continues to expand. By joining the Iowa Alliance for Arts Education (IAAE), you’re not just adding your name to a list; you’re stepping into a statewide network of passionate educators who believe that the arts matter in every school, for every student. Your Alliance membership will help fund: * Tools and information to advocate for fine arts education at local, grassroots levels. * A professional lobbyist at the Iowa Statehouse to fight for well-supported and rich arts programs in our schools. * A biennial Leadership Institute, Fine Arts Education Summit, and an annual Fall Symposium for beginning fine arts teachers * The “Model of Excellence Mentorship Program.” The Alliance, with the organizational help of seven Iowa Fine Arts Associations, funds hundreds of mentoring visits to first and second-year teachers, and annual scholarships * Assistance in navigating fine arts education policies and programs for all fine arts teachers with the cooperation of the Iowa Department of Education. * A voice in the room. The Alliance meets regularly with the Iowa Department of Education, the Iowa Arts Council, Iowa’s professional arts organizations, Arts Midwest, the Creative States Coalition, Americans for the Arts, and public officials and legislators. As you renew your professional memberships this school year, please add Joining the IAAE to the list. Membership is just $35/year. Thank you for all that you do to keep the arts alive in your classroom. Let’s work together to keep them strong across Iowa. Sincerely, Leon Kuehner Jayson Gerth IAAE Executive Director IAAE Executive Board Chair Hello Iowa Thespians!
Happy February! I hope you have all been enjoying the above freezing temperatures this week. I don’t know about you, but I feel like a whole new person. Hopefully that is the help you need to get through February - one of the toughest times of the year. Check out this month’s updates from EdTA: EdTA Advocacy Summit in Washington DC | Now Virtual - Register Today! Register now to take part in EdTA’s Advocacy Summit in March - now virtual! EdTA's Advocacy Summit empowers educators, students, artists, and community leaders to champion the transformative power of theatre in schools and communities. Across two days of immersive programming, attendees can choose from a range of workshops, panels, and conversations designed to meet their unique interests and advocacy goals. Learn more and register. International Thespian Festival | Registration Open! Registration is now open for the International Thespian Festival at the University of Indiana Bloomington this summer, from June 21-26! The International Thespian Festival is the theatre event of the summer, bringing together middle and high school theatre students, educators, artists, celebrities, and more to celebrate what being a Theatre Kid is all about. Learn more and register here. Premier Communities for Theatre Education | Applications Open! The application for schools to apply is now open! The Premier Communities distinction recognizes schools and districts that exemplify excellence in theatre education. The district application will open in the 2026-27 academic year. Apply today! Prepare for Theatre In Our Schools Month March is Theatre In Our Schools Month and EdTA has created a variety of resources to help you get the word out AND to recognize educators and students who have made an impact. Check out the Theatre In Our Schools (TIOS) Toolkit and apply for the TIOS Outstanding Impact Award. Iowa Scholarship for the Arts The Iowa Arts Council is pleased to share that applications are now open for the 2026 Iowa Scholarship for the Arts, a statewide program supporting outstanding Iowa high school seniors who excel in the arts and plan to pursue arts-related studies at an Iowa college or university. The scholarship awards $5,000 to selected students to support tuition during the 2026–2027 academic year. Applications are now open and will close April 1st. Year-At-A-Glance Iowa Thespians and EdTA provide a variety of events for you and your students throughout the year, check out of all of the opportunities and be sure to SAVE THE DATE:
Iowa Thespians Performance Calendar Help us promote your upcoming shows! Fill out the Iowa Thespians Production Calendar Form so that we can add your shows to our 2025-2026 Production Calendar on our website. We hope to send as many State Thespian Officers to see and promote your productions as possible. Resources / Reminders Below you will find additional information regarding EdTA and your Thespian Troupe.
As always, if you need anything throughout the year or have questions about Iowa Thespians / EdTA, please do not hesitate to reach out. -- Nate Jorgensen | Chapter Director IowaThespians.org | SchoolTheatre.org Hello Iowa Thespians! Happy New Year! I hope that you all enjoyed some time off with loved ones during this holiday season. With the new year comes new productions and the beginning of the IHSSA Season. Whatever project you find yourself working on, thank you for your continued commitment to your students and theatre education! Check out the updates from EdTA / Iowa Thespians below: ITF Playbill Opportunity Playbill has started a new scholarship opportunity for three students to attend the International Thespian Festival! Selected students will work directly with Playbill writers and editors to learn the art of covering the world of theatre as a journalist, and will be tasked with covering the Festival on the scene with pieces that will be published on Playbill and featured across EdTA and Playbill's social platforms. Learn more about the Playbill Scholarship Opportunity. Applications are now open and will close March 1st. You can view additional ITF Scholarship Opportunities on the EdTA IFT Scholarship Page. EdTA Price Increases In case you missed it, starting January 2026 there will be price increases for membership, induction, and festival attendance. You can watch the announcement video here. As a result of these increases, the EdTA Board of Directors and staff leadership are committing to no further membership or induction fee increases for at least three years to provide further stability and predictability. Please keep this in mind as you plan for your end-of-year induction ceremonies and ITF attendance. You can view the new Membership & Induction Fees below as well as the ITF Registration Fees:
Iowa Scholarship for the Arts The Iowa Arts Council is pleased to share that applications are now open for the 2026 Iowa Scholarship for the Arts, a statewide program supporting outstanding Iowa high school seniors who excel in the arts and plan to pursue arts-related studies at an Iowa college or university. The scholarship awards $5,000 to selected students to support tuition during the 2026–2027 academic year. Applications are now open and will close April 1st. Arts Education Advocacy Day 2026 Don’t miss your chance to be part of Arts Education Advocacy Day on Wednesday, January 21, 2026. Consider becoming an advocate and let our local legislators know how important fine arts education is for Iowa students. The goal is to have an email advocate from each of Iowa’s 99 counties! Register here. Registration closes January 14. Year-At-A-Glance Iowa Thespians and EdTA provide a variety of events for you and your students throughout the year, check out of all of the opportunities and be sure to SAVE THE DATE:
Iowa Thespians Performance Calendar Help us promote your upcoming shows! Fill out the Iowa Thespians Production Calendar Form so that we can add your shows to our 2025-2026 Production Calendar on our website. We hope to send as many State Thespian Officers to see and promote your productions as possible. Resources / Reminders Below you will find additional information regarding EdTA and your Thespian Troupe.
As always, if you need anything throughout the year or have questions about Iowa Thespians / EdTA, please do not hesitate to reach out. Wishing you all the best as we start the new year! -- Nate Jorgensen | Chapter Director IowaThespians.org | SchoolTheatre.org October 26, 2025–The Iowa chapter of the Educational Theatre Association mourns the passing of Thomas Jefferson High School High School theatre director Alexander H. Bales of Council Bluffs, IA. Our thoughts are with Alex’s former students and loved ones as well as the greater Iowa high school theatre community.
**Alexander Henry Bales, age 35, of Council Bluffs, IA, passed away unexpectedly at home due to medical complications on October 18, 2025. He was born to Dale and Maria Bales on October 13, 1990. Alex attended K-12 at Indianola Community Schools where he discovered his passion for theater, drama, speech and debate. He attended Iowa State University and obtained his English Education degree with an endorsement in Speech. Alex started his teaching career at Atlantic High School in Atlantic, IA. He continued his career at Thomas Jefferson High School in Council Bluffs, IA as the Drama and English teacher. He enjoyed directing the fall and spring plays, helping the kids grow in their acting parts, set construction, tech and stage crew, and taking them to theater productions and state Thespian Festival. Alex enjoyed spending time with the good friends he made in college, League of Legends online gaming, watching Iowa State football and basketball and following the Miami Dolphins. Alex is survived by his parents, Dale and Maria Bales of Indianola, IA; brother, Zach Bales of Owatonna, MN; aunts, uncles, cousins, other relatives, as well as many friends. Alex was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents: Emmett and Steffy Henry; paternal grandparents: Eldred and Olivene Bales. **Originally published by Cutler O’Neill Meyer-Woodring Funeral Home executive director, President of educational theatre association Comment On Recent Executive Orders1/29/2025  Originally published as a letter to EdTA members
Dedicated Theatre Educators, We want to address the recent conversations regarding the political climate and its potential impact on our educational community. Many of you have been navigating these concerns for some time, while others may be facing them for the first time. Either way, it has been a trying time for educators as we work together to navigate the ever-changing landscape and continue to put the education, safety, and well-being of our students first. We'd like to provide some clarity on what EdTA is doing and share what information we have at this moment. Funding and DEI Last week, the President issued Executive Orders targeting organizations with budgets over $500 million to eliminate all DEI-related work. Some members have asked what this means for EdTA. The short answer is: nothing. We are not federally funded, nor do we receive funding from the organizations affected by these orders. Additionally, we are also reviewing all of our materials and where necessary, adjusting language to ensure that our work can continue to remain impactful to the broadest range of schools and educators possible. We are part of a federally funded grant, the Connected Arts Networks (CAN), that runs until October 2026. Yesterday, The White House issued a statement pausing thousands of federal grants and we are closely monitoring whether this will impact CAN. We will share that information as we have it. Protecting Students The President has also issued orders that affect the safety of LGBTQ+ and undocumented students. Many of you have asked about EdTA’s position, and our response remains unchanged: The Educational Theatre Association, the International Thespian Society, and the Educational Theatre Foundation are firmly committed to the work we do every day to support educators and provide all students access to theatre as part of their education. Here's what you can always expect from us: We will support teachers, schools, and communities in building inclusive, brave spaces where students can find joy, make human connections, and develop empathy and understanding. Students must be allowed to explore their own humanity with compassion and acceptance. Thank you for your continued support of this important mission, more crucial now than ever before. Department of Education Following the election, there was discussion about eliminating the Department of Education and its potential impact on Title 1 funding. We are working closely with the Arts Education Alliance to monitor this and remain prepared to advocate as needed. We encourage everyone to stay informed on federal funding sources and to join us in advocating for arts funding, especially at Advocacy Day on Capitol Hill this July. We know many of you, like us, are closely monitoring the situation. However, none of these recent developments are new to the work we’ve been doing for years. We will continue to support our teachers and students in navigating these challenges. EdTA staff will stay on top of developments as they unfold and keep you informed so you can focus your energy on creating theatre and supporting your students. We will post updates and answer future questions within the Advocacy Community on the Callboard, EdTA's online community for theatre educators. We encourage you to join that space. If you have any questions or need clarification, please feel free to reach out. We're happy to discuss further. And if anyone asks what EdTA is doing, please refer them to either of us or use the points shared here. Thank you for your continued dedication to our shared mission. Sincerely, Dr. Jennifer Katona Executive Director Educational Theatre Association Krista Carson Elhai President Educational Theatre Association  The Iowa Thespian Chapter Board (ITCB) is holding a special election to fill two vacant board positions come Spring 2025: Membership Chair and Student Leadership Director.
Both the Membership Chair and Student Leadership Director are three-year appointments and will serve from April 1, 2025, to January 31, 2028. Interested individuals are invited to view the requirements of each position and submit their application at the link below through Feb. 28, 2025. No late submissions will be accepted. All eligible candidates will then be voted on by the greater Iowa Educational Theatre Association (Iowa EdTA) membership, and the new board members will be announced in April. APPLY NOW For questions about this special election, please contact the Chapter Director or email [email protected] ### About Iowa Thespians The mission of Iowa Thespians 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 policymakers that theatre education is essential and builds life skills. 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.  Suzi Jones, current teacher and theatre director at Pella High School is the newest member of the Iowa Thespian Hall of Fame. Jones will be inducted during the annual Iowa Thespian Festival in November, on the University of Northern Iowa (UNI) campus. She will be honored for her significant contributions of time, talents, and service to Iowa Thespians and for advancing the mission of theatre education, joining an esteemed group of individuals. Including Jones, only 35 individuals have been inducted into the Iowa Thespian Hall of Fame, beginning in 1995.
Jones will officially join the Iowa Thespians Hall of Fame (HOF) during the festival’s annual mainstage ceremony on Saturday, Nov. 16. All available HOF members will be in attendance. Chapter Director and HOF member Lynn Jensen will introduce a speaker who will give a five-minute introduction speech for Jones. Following her introduction, Jones will give her acceptance speech and remarks. After the ceremony, invited family and friends will gather in UNI’s GBPAC lobby for photos. Iowa Thespian Festival is closed to the public. An estimated 900 students from Thespian troupes across Iowa are expected to attend this year’s event. View past inductees and learn more about the Iowa Thespian HOF by visiting https://www.iowathespians.org/halloffame.html ## About Iowa Thespians Iowa Thespians, officially known as the Iowa Educational Theatre Association (Iowa EdTA) is the Iowa state chapter of the Educational Theatre Association (EdTA), an international nonprofit that serves as the professional association for theatre educators. The mission of Iowa Thespians 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 policymakers that theatre education is essential and builds life skills. Iowa Thespians is 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. Visit https://iowathespians.org to learn more.  This press release was originally published by the Educational Theatre Association.
CINCINNATI (October 4, 2024) — The Arts Education Alliance — an advocacy collaboration between the Educational Theatre Association, National Art Education Association, National Association for Media Arts Education, National Association for Music Education, and National Dance Education Organization — thanks the U.S. Department of Education (ED) for releasing a “Dear Colleague” letter today to state education agencies clarifying the use of federal funds for arts education under Titles I, II, III, IV-A of the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), Carl. D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act, and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). This is the first time ED has released such guidance since 2013, which was two years before ESSA passed shifting language from core academic subjects to a well-rounded education including music and the arts. The release of new guidance marks a monumental win for arts education programs and is the culmination of years of work from arts education advocates. Since the passage of ESSA, federal funding streams have helped to increase the availability of arts programs in schools. But due to various factors, including a lack of guidance, a significant number of students across the country continue to lack access to in-school arts education. In particular, students attending schools in low-income and urban/rural areas lacked access to the full breadth, and subsequently the full benefits, of a comprehensive arts education. With the release of ED’s new guidance, arts educators across the country will no longer have to wonder if/how federal funds can be used to support their programs. Programs such as Title I will be used to close the gap in access to arts education faced by students in low-income areas, while programs such as Title II and IDEA will provide educators professional learning opportunities to better support students with disabilities and diverse student populations. Alongside broadening access to the arts, ED’s guidance will enable a larger swath of the student population to receive the benefits of artistic involvement; offering opportunities for creative expression, team building, and a host of other benefits, ranging from social engagement to culturally enriching experiences. The release of ED’s latest guidance marks an inflection point for arts education, officially recognized as part of a well-rounded education in 2015, and now receiving comprehensive guidance on how federal funds can support its programming. Once again, the alliance thanks ED for renewing their commitment to the arts as an essential part of PreK-12 education; arts advocates for their tireless work to reach this point; and educators for their work in bringing the arts into classrooms across the United States. The Arts Education Alliance is proud to have supported this effort and looks forward to continuing its work to ensure arts education remains a priority in federal education initiatives. ### About the Educational Theatre Association The Educational Theatre Association is an international nonprofit that serves as the professional association for theatre educators. EdTA is the parent organization of the International Thespian Society, the honor society for theatre students that’s inducted more than 2.5 million Thespians since 1929. Additionally, EdTA operates the Educational Theatre Foundation, the organization’s philanthropic arm dedicated to broadening representation and increasing access. Visit schooltheatre.org to learn how EdTA inspires theatre educators to transform lives. About the National Art Education Association Founded in 1947, the National Art Education Association is the leading professional membership organization for visual arts, design, and media a rts education professionals. Members include preK, elementary, middle, and high school visual arts educators; college and university professors; university students preparing to become educators; researchers and scholars; teaching artists; administrators and supervisors; and art museum educators—as well as more than 54,000 students who are members of the National Art Honor Society. About the National Association for Media Arts Education The National Association for Media Arts Education (NAMAE) seeks to support and advance media arts education for all learners. NAMAE was founded in 2024 and is just beginning to fulfill its mission and galvanize its community. NAMAE intends to develop curricula that support high quality standards-based instruction, resources and opportunities that support media arts educators and students, and research, networks and systems that support the development and growth of the discipline. About the National Association for Music Education The National Association for Music Education (NAfME) is a collaborative community that supports music educators and advocates for equitable access to music education. The only association that addresses all aspects of music education, NAfME, together with its affiliated state music education associations, advocates at the national, state, and local levels and provides resources and opportunities for teachers, students, parents, and administrators. Founded in 1907 and representing more than 57,000 members teaching millions of students, NAfME advances the music education profession and promotes lifelong experiences in music. About the National Dance Education Organization The National Dance Education Organization (NDEO), founded in 1998, is the leading nonprofit organization that supports dance educators across every setting, including K-12 schools, dance studios, colleges and universities, community centers, and more. NDEO is dedicated to advancing dance education for people of all backgrounds by providing professional development for teachers and cultivating a community of support, resources, advocacy, and research. NDEO is the parent organization of The National Honor Society for Dance Arts (NHSDA). The NHSDA has recognized the artistic merit, leadership, and academic achievements of thousands of exceptional middle/high school and college dance students since its inception in 2005. Learn more about how NDEO is building a future with equitable and accessible dance education for all at www.ndeo.org. |
Iowa ThespiansIowa Thespians is the Iowa chapter of the Educational Theatre Assocation (EdTA). Categories |
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