2017-18 Thespian Convention Welcome new Thespians!

What is Thespian convention? Each year, Texas Thespians holds a state-wide festival, open to any active Texas Thespian Troupe. Texas Thespian State Festival (TTSF) is filled with: Workshops Main Stage Performances Play Marathons College Auditions Performance Competitions Technical Competitions Nationally Acclaimed Guest Speakers All Convention Events Late Night Events Thespian-related vendors are on hand with all things Thespian Opportunities to advance to the International Thespian Society National Festival Opportunities to meet other Thespians from all over our great state who share your passion for Theatre!

When and where is Convention? GRAPEVINE, TEXAS!!! Nov. 16-18, 2017 Gaylord Texan Once registration is confirmed we will know our hotel. It may or may not be the Gaylord. Keep checking the website!

Payment? $250 Payment deadline is Sept. 15 You can pay on the webstore. (the links are on the website, have you seen the website? You should really check it out) Extras: IE-$15 Scholarship-$15 Tech Challenge-$15 Merch from vendors (jewelry, makeup, accessories, clothing, posters, etc.) No need to say anything else. I’M IN!!! PLEASE RSVP ASAP!! Keep checking the website!

What are these IE’s you speak of? An IE is an Individual Event. They are performance and technical competitions for individuals. IEs are Individual Events. These events qualify for National Competitions at the International Thespian Festival in Lincoln, Nebraska. Keep checking the website!

Performance IE’s Monologue Duet Acting Group Acting-(3-16 people per scene) Solo Musical Duet Musical Group Musical-(3-16 people per scene) Keep checking the website!

Tech IE’s Stage Management Sound Design Lighting Design Costume Design Costume Construction Set Design  Marketing Designs can be of realized productions or hypothetical productions. So if you have a play you really want to set design, you can do that and submit it to competition.  Keep checking the website!

Team Design Competitions Set Design Costume Construction Hair and Makeup Mask Making 4 students per team, can only take one team per design area We take supplies, find out the play at the competition, then team design in one of the areas.  Keep checking the website!

Tech Challenge? Challenge Accepted!! 5-7 students who compete in a Tech Relay Challenge (for example: leg a platform, focus a light, fold a backdrop, etc) This is NOT a National Qualifying Event. Other Tech Challenges include: Set Design, Costume Design, Hair & Makeup Design and Mask Making. Keep checking the website!

There will be a sign-up sheet for the audition. Cool! How can I do an IE? We will hold IE auditions (as we are limited in the amount that we can submit) Auditions are Sept. 15 3:00-5:00. There will be a sign-up sheet for the audition. Your selection must be competition ready (lines memorized, prompt book completed, music edited, etc.)   You must audition with the piece you want to take to take to convention. You must wear all black to your audition-just like you would in the IE competition. If you commit to performing an IE or auditioning scholarship, you are still responsible for the fee if you decide not to perform/audition. Keep checking the website!

What if I don’t make an IE in the auditions? If you are not selected in your category, you can choose to audition in another category IF there is an open slot AND with director approval. Keep checking the website!

How many IE’s can we take? 6 performance IEs AND 7 technical IEs No student may be cross-entered into any National Qualifying Event. For example, we might have three solos, 2 duet acting, and 1 group musical AND 5 stage managers and 2 marketing! *Remember - students may only participate in ONE IE. Keep checking the website!

What about short film? Only 1 director can work on a film. This is a National Qualifying Event. If you participate in this, you can not participate in another National Qualifying Event. Keep checking the website!

FAQ * Is school dress code enforced at convention? Yes, this is an AISD event, all AISD and AHS rules apply, however-dressing appropriately for a workshop you are participating in is expected-(yoga pants, work out clothing, etc.) * Will the pool be open at convention? The pool will not be open to AHS students, you will not have time for swimming and this is not vacay but an opportunity for you to perfect your craft. * Is there a curfew? Duh, the curfew is set by the Thespian Convention and the Hotels. You will be sent home if Thespian rules are broken. * I have special dietary needs, what do I do? We will collect that information in the forms online, the convention is very good at taking care of those needs. * Can we pick our own roommates? Yes, unless you make a director mad, then you must sleep in the hallway or the lobby. * Will a director check us in at the end of the night? Yes, they may even read you a bedtime story (it won’t be Howell, her bedtime is 8:30.) Keep checking the website!

FAQ Cont. Keep checking the website! * Will a director check us out in the morning? Yes, it will probably be Howell, she’s usually up by 3:30a.m. * Will we have access to a microwave or refrigerator? Doubtful. It is possible, but you should not plan on it, this way you will be pleasantly surprised if you do have access to one of these luxuries. Unk can show you how to cook anything with a coffee pot. * Will there be a game? If you don’t know what we are talking about, you will soon-officers will share this with you right before we leave. Just know, that losing the game may be less consequential than shaming your troupe or loosing your place at convention/in our ITS chapter. Make your choices wisely. * Are we allowed to bring our own food or snacks and such? Of course, all snacks are subject to tasting from any theatre director at any time. For extra points on the game, invite the directors to your room for a beverage or treat. For double the points, deliver a beverage or treat to 2 or more directors. * What should I bring the directors from Sonic? Howell-Diet sprite, Harris-Diet Strawberry Limeade, Unk-White Coconut Slush Keep checking the website!

Questions? This is the question answer portion of our program. Please pick your questions wisely as you only get to ask 2 questions per semester. Keep checking the website! We are so excited to share this experience with each of you. We are looking forward to a great year. Seniors 2018!