It is time to plan for our summer trip to the International Thespian Festival for 2019! This is the 90th anniversary of Thespians, and the last year that the festival will be held in Nebraska – so this is a big year with lots of exciting plans! Check out this website: https://www.schooltheatre.org/itf2019/home
When: Monday, June 24th through Saturday, June 29th (although we will likely schedule flights to travel Sunday-Sunday, June 23-30)
Where: University of Nebraska in the city of Lincoln. It is Johnny Carson’s alma mater, and they have 5 theatre spaces… it is the Big 10 university campus.
Cost: Registration covers all activities, food and lodging for the festival – $840 for inducted Thespians. $870 for non-inducted Thespians. Lodging will be in the dormitories (2/room) and meals are provided in campus dining halls.
Why: Delegates spend a very busy week immersed in theatre training that is unmatched! * attend multiple workshops every day, which are taught by theatre professionals from all across the country – college professors, performers, producers, and those who work in Hollywood, Broadway and Disney. *attend mainstage productions every day – these shows have been adjudicated and have received Superior ratings. Only 11 shows nationwide are selected each year! *present IE’s at the next level – after earning a Superior at the state conference. Delegates may attend these presentations and performances as audience members – which is a valuable experience if you are considering an IE for next year . *audition for college representatives – students completing their junior year are welcome to participate in the college audition process. One short audition (or portfolio presentation for technical theatre), but is viewed by over 40 college programs simultaneously! *Graduated seniors may compete for scholarship money – based on your performance audition or technical portfolio
Mrs. Mintzer and Mrs. Shellenberger have attended for several years. Mr. Matusek attended for the first time in 2018 – ask any of us questions if you are considering if you should attend.
Registration nation-wide opens on February 1st – so if you are planning to go this summer, you must contact Mrs. Mintzer (and she will want to speak/meet with your parents) before January 25th.
Seating for the mainstage performances is based on the order in which a troupe registers and pays for their festival attendance. Last year, the festival sold out (over 5000+) almost a month before the registration deadline – and over 110 troupes were turned away. Penn Manor WILL be registering on February 1st – so it is time to get details in order to finalize thi summer’s trip!