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Oregon Thespians is the Oregon Chapter of the International Thespian Society,

an affiliate of the Educational Theatre Association (EdTA).


The International Thespian Society (ITS) has been honoring excellence in the work of theatre students since 1929. Thespian troupes serve students in grades nine through twelve, and Junior Thespian troupes serve students in grades six through eight. There are at present active ITS troupes in more than 4,000 high schools and middle schools, mostly in the United States and Canada, but includes international schools, too.


Oregon Thespians has been a long-standing Chapter of ITS and maintains a prominent and active presence at national and international EdTA events. Each troupe is led by a Troupe Director who is a professional member of the Educational Theatre Association. The Troupe Director is typically—but not always—the theatre teacher in the school. Students earn an invitation to Thespian Society membership on the basis of their achievements in the school’s theatre program.


Membership in Oregon Thespians is automatic, once a school charters and maintains a Thespian Troupe (or Junior Thespian Troupe) with ITS. Complete information on how to charter and maintain a troupe can be found at the EdTA’s website: http://schooltheatre.org/

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We're glad you're here!

We have a large Thespian family!

IMPORTANT DATES

Oregon Thespians Deadlines 2026-2027
Click the links below for more information.

​MEETINGS & WORK SESSIONS

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  • Oregon Thespians Board Meetings (Sundays @ 11:00 A.M.-4:00 P.M.)​

    • ​July 21-22, 2026: EdTA Arts Advocacy Day & Leadership Summit

    • August 3-6, 2026: Board Work Weekend & Planning Session

    • September 19, 2026: Tigard HS (during Thespis: a Leadership Summit)

    • December 13, 2026: Crater HS

    • January 24, 2027: Tigard HS

    • February 28, 2027: North Salem HS

    • April 25, 2027: Off site for old/new board (online for guests)

    • July 2027: EdTA Leadership Summit

    • August 2027: Board Work Weekend & Planning Session

    • ~Please email Dir. of Comms. Bobi Bergh, Lake Oswego HS Troupe Director, in advance if you plan to attend a board mtg so we can send you the virtual meeting link or directions.~

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  • Oregon Thespians Annual Troupe Director Meetings (pre/post/during lunchtime)​​

    • InstaFest (Jr. Troupe Directors and HS Troupe Directors)

    • Jr Play Day (Jr. Troupe Directors)

    • Regionals (HS Troupe Directors)

    • State (Jr. Troupe Directors and HS Troupe Directors)

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  • Oregon Thespians Troupe Director Committee Work Session

    • Thespis: a Leadership Summit (time to work in committees to prep for events)

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EVENTS & PROGRAMS

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  • INSTAFEST​

    • Sat. October 3, 2026

    • Host: Sunset HS, Troupe 5604

    • ​Registration opens in September. 

    • DEADLINE: Thurs. Sept. 24

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  • JUDGE TRAINING

  • ​Choose one location to attend.

    • North: Sat. Dec. 5, 2026

      • 10am-3pm

      • Host: Nelson HS, Troupe 10418 (Tent.)

    • South: Sun. Dec. 6, 2026

      • 10am-3pm

      • Host: Ashland HS, Troupe 4630

    • Registration opens in November.

    • DEADLINE: Thurs. Dec. 3

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  • VIRTUAL JUDGE TRAINING​

    • Virtual: Sun. Jan. 10, 2027

      • 6pm-9pm via Google Meet

      • NOTE: Virtual training is only a refresher for trained judges outside of 60 miles roundtrip from either the Judge Training North or South options above.

    • Registration opens in November.

    • DEADLINE: Thurs. Jan. 7​​​

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  • REGIONALS

    • Sat. February 6, 2027

      • NE Host: Lakeridge HS, Troupe 2789 (Tent.)

      • NW Host: Beaverton HS, Troupe 1634

      • S Host: North Medford HS, Troupe 358

    • Registration opens in January. (Click here for grant info.)

    • DEADLINE: Thurs. Jan. 21

    • CHANGE DEADLINE: Thurs. Jan. 28

    • Only DROPS allowed after final deadline. NO OTHER CHANGES. NO ADDs.​

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STATE FESTIVAL

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  • State-related submissions

    • STO applications DUE FEB. 25 (See STO page and application for additional details)

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  • THESPIANS STATE FESTIVAL

    • Thurs.-Sat. April 1-3, 2027

    • Salem Convention Center, Holman Hilton, Elsinore Theatre, Grand Theatre, Reed Opera House, Salem Library, all in Salem, OR + additional venues in downtown Salem

    • Registration opens in mid-February. (Click here for grant info​.)

    • BIG STATE DEADLINE: Thurs. Feb. 25

      • NO ADDS after Feb. 25

    • FINAL CHANGES/DROPS DEADLINE: Thurs. March 4

      • NO CHANGES after Mar. 4

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  • JUNIOR THESPIANS DAY at STATE

    • Saturday, April 3, 2027

    • Salem Convention Center, Grand Theatre, First Presbyterian Church, Salem First United Methodist Church, and Salem United Church of Christ in Salem, OR

    • Registration opens in February.

    • BIG STATE DEADLINE: Thurs. Feb. 25

      • NO ADDS after Feb. 25

      • FINAL CHANGES/DROPS DEADLINE: Thurs. March 4

      • NO CHANGES after Mar. 4

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NATIONAL EVENTS

 

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  • INTERNATIONAL THESPIAN FESTIVAL 2027

    • June 28-July 2, 2027

    • Kentucky Center for the Performing Arts, Actors Theatre of Louisville, and Kentucky International Convention Center, Louisville, KY

    • ​ITF Info & Registration: See ITF site for details. Virtual option available.

    • DEADLINES: See ITF site for details re: main stage submissions, registration, Thespys, college auditions, payments, consent forms, and more.​

    • Future dates in Kentucky: June 26-30, 2028 and June 25-29, 2029

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Honor Chapter Medallion GOLD

Check out our Instagram Feeds!
@orjuniorthespians
@oregonthespians
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Troupe Production Map

Click on the map. Select a point to reveal an Oregon Thespian troupe. Find their productions by clicking on their web address located in the map bubble.

Map to the Stars

©2025 by Oregon Thespians.

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