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  • 1.  Regional ThesFests

    Posted 10-07-2022 14:16
    Hello,

    I have been trying to find out if there are any regional Thespian Festivals happening in my state this year. Anyone holding one? I have reached out to EdTA and my regional director, but have not heard back.

    Thanks!

    --
    Jennifer Jordan
    Director of Theater & Dance
    11th Grade Class Coordinator
    Day Student Advisor
    Miss Hall's School
    413-395-7023
    She/Her/Hers


  • 2.  RE: Regional ThesFests

    Posted 10-08-2022 06:45
    I am in the same situation. My troupeis fairly new, this is only our second year, but the kids are interested in getting involved in a festival. Our school is in Massachusetts, but we could easily transport to Connecticut.

    Where are all the state festivals?

    Becky Beth Benedict
    Actor/Director/Theatre Educator
    (860)490-6625
    Beckybeth@juno.com
    Twitter: BeckyBethB


    Original Message


  • 3.  RE: Regional ThesFests

    Posted 10-09-2022 17:38
    Jennifer, it looks like you are in Massachusetts.  Are you in contact with the current Chapter Director for Massachusetts? 

    I found a website online: https://maitschapter.wixsite.com/maits

    If you aren't in contact with the current Chapter Director, this should be a direct route.  The registration deadline wasn't until December for the festival they held (or just planned?) in 2021.

       




    ------------------------------
    CJ Breland
    Retired Theatre Arts Educator
    NC
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 4.  RE: Regional ThesFests

    Posted 10-10-2022 10:33
    Hi Jennifer, 
    Fellow Massachusetts person here. I think the pandemic may have ruined a state thespians festival for us unless someone new takes the reins. Our state chapter director is no longer at the school she was running the festival out of (and may not be at any school actually) and she probably isnt gonna be doing it any more. So between that and loss of momentum, it would probably take someone willing to do a near complete restart to get it going. And honestly,  I dont have that energy and time.
    Joe

    ------------------------------
    Joseph Gels
    Theatre Teacher
    Boston Latin School
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 5.  RE: Regional ThesFests

    Posted 10-10-2022 12:28
    Thank you for the information. Is there no Chapter Director then?

    Jenni

    --
    Jennifer Jordan
    Director of Theater & Dance
    11th Grade Class Coordinator
    Day Student Advisor
    Miss Hall's School
    413-395-7023
    She/Her/Hers



    Original Message


  • 6.  RE: Regional ThesFests

    Posted 10-10-2022 12:47
    You could try emailing Mathespians@gmail.com and see if she is still checking it at all but my guess is that we don't have one right now.
    Joe 



    Original Message


  • 7.  RE: Regional ThesFests

    Posted 10-10-2022 13:37
    That's what I thought. Thank you, Joseph.

    --
    Jennifer Jordan
    Director of Theater & Dance
    11th Grade Class Coordinator
    Day Student Advisor
    Miss Hall's School
    413-395-7023
    She/Her/Hers



    Original Message


  • 8.  RE: Regional ThesFests

    Posted 10-14-2022 10:35
    Hi Jennifer,

    Thanks for the good question and please pardon the late reply. Joseph is correct that Massachusetts currently does not have a chapter director. Unfortunately, Connecticut doesn't either. We are beginning to explore some options with folks in the New England area who would like to see a festival opportunity for your students. Stay tuned on that.

    To that end, we'd love to hear what opportunities are most important for your students: Thespy auditions? Workshops? One-acts? We invite you and any troupe directors in the region to share so we can consider that in our exploration.

    I'd add that in the absense of a state or regional festival, EdTA does provide an online alternate qualifier for the Thespys, so students have an opportunity to qualify for Thespys at ITF.

    ------------------------------
    Allison Dolan
    Chief Content Officer
    Educational Theatre Association
    OH
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 9.  RE: Regional ThesFests

    Posted 10-14-2022 11:19
    Hello, Allison.

    Thank you for your response. It is difficult to pick just one of these options/events. My students loved the whole experience of ThesFest! From the raucous welcome upon entering the building, getting situated in our own "green room" to the many workshops taught by professionals, one-act festivals, the rubber duck fundraiser, Thespys, and celebration at the end of the evening where students could engage and have fun with other passionate theater people, they were all equally exciting. I was very impressed with ThesFest in Acton-Boxborough. It was also an opportunity for me to take workshops with my students.

    Hope that helps. I would be happy to help be a part of the planning of a new regional festival.

    Jenni

    ------------------------------
    [Jen] [Jordan]
    [Director of Theater and Dance]
    [11th Grade Coordinator]
    [Day Student Advisor]
    [Miss Hall's School]
    [Pittsfield] [MA]
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 10.  RE: Regional ThesFests

    Posted 10-15-2022 08:20
    Hi Allison,

    My students thoroughly enjoyed attending the festival at Acton/Boxborough. They especially loved the workshops with college professors and watching the one-act plays. Jess Harms mentioned a few years ago that they were going to allow groups to perform one-act plays for feedback only. My students direct our annual one-act play for the METG festival in March and they were excited to learn that they could workshop it at the thespian festival. Also, my students enjoyed getting one on one feedback from judges on their acting, singing and tech theatre skills. I also enjoyed participating in the workshops! I learned a lot!

    I'm happy to help out with the regional festival!

    Thanks,
    Sheila

    ------------------------------
    Sheila Newton
    Performing Arts Teacher/Director
    K-12 Performing Arts Chair
    Mansfield High School
    Mansfield, MA
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


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