It's a great organization to have on campus. I'd definitely recommend it. :^)
Here's a few examples of time commitment and value:
- you'll need to arrange all of the normal paperwork your school requires for a club. If funds are tight to start with, you could ask your admin to cover the cost of the basic budge for the first year (dues, membership roll, etc)
- We have 2 weekly meetings for the club (about 30 minutes each) - one for the officers and one for the club as a whole
- ITS sponsors field trips each semester to see live theatre
- Our main stage productions and our competitions are all sponsored by this
- this has actually been really nice. We allowed allowed school credit cards in our district and, after I get official approvals for using the funds (at the meetings), I'm able to go to local costume shops and get specific items... - costumes, props, make-up, etc using the card. It's frequently a lot easier than ordering online and some of the stores give me discounts for being a teacher :^)
- Seniors earn graduation honors and are allowed to walk with them (check this out with your admin though... some schools don't let you)
- these are presented at our annual Season Announcement, Graduation Honors and Awards night. It's always emotional for the seniors and the rest of the club always comes out to see the seniors receive their graduation honors because I do the announcement on the same night. I've also found parents are more supportive (for the most part) because their children are able to earn those honors and this has helped several of them receive scholarships... not to mention I force each senior to stand at the front of the stage after receiving the honors so mom and dad can have a photo op ;^)
- We have forever plaques in our front office for any students who receive National or International Honors
- these are announced at the Awards night
Although there are definitely time commitments to doing this, once you get off the ground you won't find them too difficult to integrate into what you are already doing. It just gives a legitimacy to your work that looks good to everyone else...
I've been at my current school for nearly a decade. I had a
lot of revamping to make ITS work on my campus
but, now that it's really organized, I don't have that much I have to do. The students are responsible for running the club meetings, organizing fundraisers, deciding on use of the funds and the president and vice president choose the club members who are recognized for their work in the club that year (most improved - male and female, most dedicated - male and female, the tech award, the mvp award and one class recognition award (for each grade level); minus 2 special awards that they do not discover until the end of the night (veteran awards (4 years in theatre) and what we call the "Grandma Schwartz Award" - which goes to the person who is the best representation of being a thespian for the entire time they are part of ITS - and is an original hand sewn teddy bear that reflects that students' most iconic and memorable moment as a member of the club).
Hope this helps!
------------------------------
Shira Schwartz
Chandler Unified School District
Chandler AZ
------------------------------
Original Message:
Sent: 02-23-2017 09:30
From: Christina Kemmerer
Subject: International Thespian Society
I'm considering starting this at our school and wondered if anyone could speak to the program, the obligations of the troupe director, time commitment, value, etc. Would love to get insight.
------------------------------
Christina Kemmerer
Brooklandville MD
------------------------------