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  • 1.  Arts Magnet High Schools and Thespian Troupes

    Posted 09-15-2014 18:53

    I am still proud of my Thespian membership as a high school student and the many awards of many many years ago. I have been the head of the theatre department at the Ruth Asawa San Francisco School of the Arts since 1991, We have 80 students in the theatre department who passed a rigorous audition to get in. Our classes meet 3 hours a day 5 days a week. All of the students participate in productions at each of their class levels, BASIC, INTERMEDIATE ONE, INTERMEDIATE TWO, and ADVANCED. I have always wanted to see how having a Thespian Troupe at an arts high school would function and how it might fit into our  circumstances. 
    I would love to find out how a Thespian troupe fits in to your arts school theatre department.

    Thank you for your response.

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    Phillip Rayher
    Director, Theatre Dept.
    Ruth Asawa San Francisco School of the Arts
    San Francisco CA
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  • 2.  RE: Arts Magnet High Schools and Thespian Troupes

    Posted 09-16-2014 12:21
    What I have always found useful about Thespian membership is the way it connects your students to a larger world of theatre students around the state, the nation and the world. It would be wonderful to see you and your students at the California Thespian Festival, the Northern California Play Festival, and the International Thespian Festival in Lincoln.

    Billy Houck
    California Chapter Co-Director
    Fremont High School
    Sunnyvale CA
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    Original Message


  • 3.  RE: Arts Magnet High Schools and Thespian Troupes

    Posted 09-16-2014 20:55
    Thanks Bill,
    How would you see the points for admission being given in my situation? I don't think that all 80 department members would be invited. I didn't mention in my original Forum Discussion that our arts students do not have to compete with any other activities for their attention. We do not have sports teams and clubs are minimal. Our students graduate with their arts department (if they don't pass their art they don't walk with their graduation class), so wearing special awards would not be thought of as an honor. 
    ANY IDEAS OR THOUGHTS FROM ANYONE.

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    Phillip Rayher
    Director, Theatre Dept.
    Ruth Asawa San Francisco School of the Arts
    San Francisco CA
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    Original Message


  • 4.  RE: Arts Magnet High Schools and Thespian Troupes

    Posted 09-19-2014 22:49
    If you don't like the points system, then don't use it! I use the points, but I Heavily modify it. Do you do any after school shows or is everything in coursework? We do 3 open audition shows per year so I made the requirement for thespian membership 3 shows (you must participate in two of three categories between acting, tech, and business). This allows Freshmen to pledge, but only if they are in EVERYTHING their first year. We also do a few class shows people can tech if they miss an open show. In general, thespians is an honors society like NHL or car. What would you consider the "top" of your school? What criteria do you think denotes that? Some schools don't allow underclassmen to pledge at all. An example: I have about 150-200 students in my program between classes and shows after school. I have less than 30 thespians and I invite less than 25 to the convention each year. I'm VERY selective. Even if you do three shows if I feel you don't represent the true spirit of collaboration and shared artistry that thespians represents then your application is denied I have a bunch of paperwork, instructions, and applications I can share if you email me. Hope this helps. See you at Festival in March C: ------------------------------------------- Bryan Ringsted San Jose CA -------------------------------------------
    Original Message