Open Forum

I have a student who is currently an active member of my Junior Thespian Troupe.  Beginning next year, she will be homeschooled, but has made arrangements to participate in my feeder high school's extracurricular theatre program.  I  am not sure if she is being independently home schooled or if it is through the districts independent, computerized program.  Is she eligible to be a member/participate in the school's Thespian troupe if she is homeschooled?  What are the rules on that?

Thanks,

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Jason Coats
Kansas City MO
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Original Message------

I have a student who is currently an active member of my Junior Thespian Troupe.  Beginning next year, she will be homeschooled, but has made arrangements to participate in my feeder high school's extracurricular theatre program.  I  am not sure if she is being independently home schooled or if it is through the districts independent, computerized program.  Is she eligible to be a member/participate in the school's Thespian troupe if she is homeschooled?  What are the rules on that?

Thanks,

------------------------------
Jason Coats
Kansas City MO
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Same in Iowa as in Ohio.  If you are even more concerned, check with your athletic/activities director.

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[William] [Myatt] [Director of Theatre]

[Pleasant Valley High School]

[myattw@pleasval.k12.ia.us][563-332-5151][Bettendorf][IA][USA]
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Original Message:
Sent: 01-11-2018 06:06
From: Mark A. Zimmerman
Subject: Homeschool Thespians?

In the State of Ohio, where I am located, we are legally obligated to provide access to extra-curricular activities for home-schooled students who live within our district. 

--

Mark A. Zimmerman

Theatre Director,

Akron School for the Arts

Firestone High School

470 Castle Blvd

Akron, Ohio 44313

330-761-3275

FirestoneTheatre.com

Original Message------

I have a student who is currently an active member of my Junior Thespian Troupe.  Beginning next year, she will be homeschooled, but has made arrangements to participate in my feeder high school's extracurricular theatre program.  I  am not sure if she is being independently home schooled or if it is through the districts independent, computerized program.  Is she eligible to be a member/participate in the school's Thespian troupe if she is homeschooled?  What are the rules on that?

Thanks,

------------------------------
Jason Coats
Kansas City MO
------------------------------

Good Morning,

Great question!

I have had a number of homeschooled thespians in Florida. EdTA and ITS rules allow for them to be included in a troupe. I have also had the occasional student from another school where there was no active thespian troupe. They are sometimes called "orphaned Thespians" and you can adopt them as long as there is no active troupe at their school.

Hope this helps,
Cheers,

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William J. Eyerly, Ph. D, Ed. D
Director of Fine & Performing Arts
Canterbury School
Executive Director
Gainesville Association for the Creative Arts
Fort Myers, FL
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Original Message:
Sent: 01-10-2018 12:20
From: Jason Coats
Subject: Homeschool Thespians?

I have a student who is currently an active member of my Junior Thespian Troupe.  Beginning next year, she will be homeschooled, but has made arrangements to participate in my feeder high school's extracurricular theatre program.  I  am not sure if she is being independently home schooled or if it is through the districts independent, computerized program.  Is she eligible to be a member/participate in the school's Thespian troupe if she is homeschooled?  What are the rules on that?

Thanks,

------------------------------
Jason Coats
Kansas City MO
------------------------------

Original Message------

I have a student who is currently an active member of my Junior Thespian Troupe.  Beginning next year, she will be homeschooled, but has made arrangements to participate in my feeder high school's extracurricular theatre program.  I  am not sure if she is being independently home schooled or if it is through the districts independent, computerized program.  Is she eligible to be a member/participate in the school's Thespian troupe if she is homeschooled?  What are the rules on that?

Thanks,

------------------------------
Jason Coats
Kansas City MO
------------------------------

Hi, Jason

As the previous posts indicated, rules for incorporating home school students into a theatre program may vary from state to state and school to school. The guidelines for determining ITS troupe affiliation are available in the Appendix 3 of the Thespian and Junior Thespian troupe handbooks provides the guidelines for determining ITS troupe affiliation. Here's a quick link: https://www.schooltheatre.org/internationalthespiansociety/troupedirectors/troupehandbook#9.

If you have questions about specific cases, please feel free to contact me by email at members@schooltheatre.org.

Hope this helps!

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Brian Benz
Membership Manager
Educational Theatre Association
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Original Message:
Sent: 01-10-2018 12:20
From: Jason Coats
Subject: Homeschool Thespians?

I have a student who is currently an active member of my Junior Thespian Troupe.  Beginning next year, she will be homeschooled, but has made arrangements to participate in my feeder high school's extracurricular theatre program.  I  am not sure if she is being independently home schooled or if it is through the districts independent, computerized program.  Is she eligible to be a member/participate in the school's Thespian troupe if she is homeschooled?  What are the rules on that?

Thanks,

------------------------------
Jason Coats
Kansas City MO
------------------------------