Chapter Director's July Newsletter

Leadership DayHello Iowa Thespians!

I hope you are enjoying the summer months and staying out of the heat. I’ll try to keep this month’s Newsletter short so you can get back to your rest and relaxation.

Below are updates from EdTA / Iowa Thespians:

International Thespian Festival 2026
Iowa was well-represented at the International Thespian Festival in Bloomington, IN from June 22-26! We had eight Troupes attend the Festival this year, competing in Thespys, Backstage Challenge, and Auditioning for College Scholarships. Check out the group photo below, and SAVE THE DATE for next year’s International Thespian Festival in Louisville, KY!



Iowa Thespian Leadership Day 2026 | Registration Open!
You are formally invited to bring  your Student Leaders to our annual Leadership Day on Saturday, August 8th at Boone High School! This is a chance for students to collaborate with other Student Leaders from across the state. Students interested in serving as State Thespian Officers for the 2026-2027 school year are encouraged to attend. If you missed our June 1st deadline, fret not! We are still accepting late registrations throughout the summer. Cost is $35 per attendee and includes Leadership Day events, lunch, and a t-shirt. Check out the Leadership Day Registration Form. You do not need to have a chartered Thespian Troupe or Student Board to attend! All are welcome! Payment will be due at the time of the event.

Iowa Thespian Festival 2026 | Mainstage Productions Announced
It’s never too early to get excited about this year’s Iowa Thespian Festival, and we are excited to announce our lineup of Mainstage productions:

• A Spare Me - Indianola High School, Troupe #4575
• Dear Evan Hansen - Northeast Community High School, Troupe #467
• The Lightning Thief - Tipton High School, Troupe #601

Registration for the 2026 Iowa Thespian Festival will be available soon! Stay tuned!

STO Newsletters | Sign-Up Today!
Did you know that your 2026 State Thespian Officers have a Newsletter tailored for your students? Check out the STO July Newsletter and share with your students. Also, pass along the Newsletter Sign-Up Link to your students to ensure they don’t miss any important Thespian information throughout the school year! 

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:

• July 22-24, 2026 - Theatre Education Conference | New York City, NY
• August 8, 2026 - Iowa Thespian Leadership Day | Boone High School
• November 13-14, 2026 - Iowa Thespian Festival | University of Northern Iowa
• April 3, 2027 - Junior Iowa Thespian Festival | Mt. Vernon High School
• June 27 - July 2, 2027 - International Thespian Festival | Louisville, KY

Resources / Reminders
Below you will find additional information regarding EdTA and your Thespian Troupe.

• New Member Support - Are you new to EdTA / Thespian Society? Email [email protected] with any and all questions to receive personalized support.
• Iowa Thespians - Visit the Iowa Thespians website to learn more about Iowa Thespians, the events that we sponsor throughout the year, and how we can support your troupe!
• Educational Theatre Association - Visit the EdTA website to learn more about all of the services that EdTA provides, including:
  • MyEdTA Account Login
  • Membership FAQ
  • Community Callboard
  • Education Resources
  • Thespian Troupe Handbook

As always, if you need anything throughout the year or have questions about Iowa Thespians / EdTA, please do not hesitate to reach out.


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Nate Jorgensen | Chapter Director
IowaThespians.org | SchoolTheatre.org 

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