Open Forum

9th grade is usually considered freshman year in the US. So until the first day of school, they're often referred to as the 'incoming freshman.' This might change a tad between individual schools. 

We do a musical that happens during the last 3 weeks of summer. Our incoming freshman are awarded points toward induction.

Another way to look at it, we offer many opportunities for middle schoolers to perform with us and induct quite a few as junior thespians. One of these students who was just inducted at the end of their 8th grade year, should be able to earn points this summer. Incoming 6th, 7th, and 8th graders would earn points in the summer towards junior thespian, so a rising 9th grader shouldn't be excluded.

Since we're supposed to award five points toward high-school Thespian membership to any student who was inducted as a Junior Thespian, which amounts to counting middle-school or junior-high activity toward high-school honors, I think you would be totally justified in awarding Thespian points for activities this summer to your students who are transitioning from eighth to ninth grade within the same school.

Ultimately, it's up to you. Troupe Directors are generally given wide latitude in decisions like this to do what you think is best for your students because everyone's circumstances are unique. For that reason, you will find that different troupes will answer that question differently for different reasons.

If it is of any help, I tend to follow the logic that Jeff laid out. I will award up to 5 points for anything the student did before they were promoted (or "graduated") from middle school. I will award additional points for anything they do after that, including the summer between middle and high school. The handbook says "When a Junior Thespian is promoted from eighth to ninth grade, they become a Junior Thespian alum. They begin earning points toward their high school Thespian membership and induction into the high school troupe..."

It also says that "Troupe directors may carry forward additional Thespian points toward the student's high school Thespian status at their discretion in accordance with the troupe's constitution and bylaws." and that "The school or troupe director may adopt additional requirements for induction into ITS..." So, again, it's up to you, based on whatever you think if fair.

 However, it's also worth noting that "5 of [the 10 points to be inducted] should be acquired at the school where they are to be inducted." So, for example, if I have a kid who has 5 points from middle school and 5 points from community summerstock, they could have 10 points coming into high school but would still need the 5 points earned at our school in order to be inducted. However, if/when they earn those 5 points, I would induct them with a total of 15.

Thanks for asking this question! There has been some great advice shared in this thread! I also want to add that the official ITS school year runs August 1st to July 31st. So, if you are inducting a student that recently completed 8th grade, please know that in our system, they are considered to be in 8th grade until August 1st.

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Cammy Bihl Laughman
Interim Director of Membership & Chapter Relations
Educational Theatre Association
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