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 2022 Festival and serve from January, 2023–January, 2024.  Activities include:
  • Attending all Iowa Thespian Chapter Board meetings
  • Organizing and participating in the Iowa Junior Thespian Festival
  • Attending the International Thespian Festival and participating in 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 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:
  • Saturday, January 14, 2023 - Board Meeting
  • Saturday, March 25, 2023 – Iowa Junior Festival 
  • Monday, June 19 – Friday, June 23, 2023 – International Thespian Festival (Bloomington, Indiana)
  • Monday, July 17, 2023 - Board Meeting
  • Saturday, August 5, 2023 – Iowa Thespian Leadership Day 
  • Sunday, October 21, 2023 - Board Meeting
  • Thursday, November 9 – Saturday, November 11, 2023 – Iowa Thespian Festival

STUDENTS: ​CLICK HERE TO SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION TO BE A STATE THESPIAN OFFICER
DIRECTORS: CLICK HERE TO REGISTER YOUR CANDIDATE IN THE SCHOOL REGISTRATION SYSTEM
​Check out this video tutorial on how to submit your State Thespian Officer application in Open Water:
Election Procedures
Although State Thespian Officers are selected during the Festival, potential candidates must first attend the Iowa Thespian Leadership Day in August. Candidates must then complete the State Thespian Officer Candidate Application and submit all required documentation on the online application portal by the October 18, 2022 registration deadline.

Application Form
All students interested in running to be a State Thespian Officer must submit an online application at the link above. The application form includes...
  • Contact information
  • Resume upload button
  • STO Contract upload button
  • Essay responses upload button
  • Troupe Director letter of recommendation request form

All candidates will upload a document to their application form which includes responses (no more than 200-250 words per response) to EACH of the following questions:
1. Why do you want to serve as a State Thespian Officer?
2. What leadership qualities and experiences will you bring to the Iowa Thespian Chapter Board?
3. What new or innovative ideas do you have for the Iowa Thespian Chapter Board?
4. In what other activities and organizations do you participate?

During the Festival, each student board candidate will participate in the leadership lunch 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:
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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 educational theatre. Emphasis should be on your theatre leadership experience.
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 and their theatre background. The digital presentation must be submitted ahead of the interview. All presentations must be emailed to [email protected] before midnight on Sunday, November 6, 2022. 
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​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. The new student board members will be announced on the Iowa Thespian website, and will be introduced to delegates during the Festival closing ceremonies.

Candidate Resources

Festival Quick Links