1. Thespian Convention
Welcome new Thespians!

2. 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!

3. When and where is Convention?
GRAPEVINE, TEXAS!!!
Nov , 2019
Gaylord Texan
Once registration is confirmed we will know our hotel. It may or may not be the Gaylord.
Keep checking the website!

4. Payment? $275 Payment deadline is Sept. 13, 2019
You can pay on the webstore. OPEN PAYMENTS WILL BE ACCEPTED STARTING JUNE 1.
Extras: **Prices below may change-waiting for TTS to update
IE-$15-per person
Scholarship-$15
Tech Challenge-$15-per person
Merch from vendors (jewelry, makeup, accessories, clothing, posters, etc.)
No need to say anything else. I’M IN!!!
You can pay on the webstore starting June 1 until September 13.
(the links will be on the website, have you seen the website? You should really check it out)
Keep checking the website!

5. 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!

6. 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!

7. 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!

8. 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!

9. 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.
We dominate this event are so proud of our techies!
Sudy Qin is this year’s team captain.
Keep checking the website!

10. 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 will be Sept. 6, 2019.
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!

11. 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!

12. 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.
Tech Challenge is not a national qualifying event.
Keep checking the website!

13. 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!

14. 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.) These same rules apply for behavior and could result in dismissal from 3105 and/or the AHS theatre program.
* 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 as long as you complete your paperwork and get it to us on time.
* Can we pick our own roommates?
Yes, unless you make a director mad, then you must sleep in the hallway or the lobby.
Keep checking the website!

15. FAQ Cont.
* 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.) * Will a director check us out in the morning? Yes, it will probably be Howell, she’s usually up by 3:00a.m. * This sounds amazing, I really want to go but I am having some financial difficulties right now. What are my options? Talk to Howell! She wants everyone to have the opportunity to attend and may be able to work something out for you. * Why are we discussing convention/paying so early? With over 8,000 students planning to attend this event AHS can not afford to wait until the last minute, we travel with one of the largest troupes and want to be sure we have enough rooms. We’ve offered open payment throughout the summer to ease the pressure of paying all at the beginning of the school year. Many of you have summer jobs and would rather pay small amounts over a longer period than large lump sums.

16. FAQ Cont. Keep checking the website!
* 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. * 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. * What should I bring the directors from Sonic? Howell-Diet rootbeer or unsweet peach tea, Harris-Diet Strawberry Limeade or diet coke in a pinch, Unk-White Coconut Slush or rootbeer
Keep checking the website!

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