“Not only were my students fired up to take things to the next level when they came home from Festival, many of them had newfound interests. From the bottom of my heart, thank you for everything you are doing to further theatre education. There is nothing like seeing your students connect to the art form, grow from it, and make it a part of who they are.”
Greg Franklin, Send a Troupe recipient and theatre educator from Troupe 6786, Mitchell High School, NC
EdTA’s International Thespian Festival (ITF), held annually, is a life-changing week for attendees, opening the door to colleges and careers. The Send a Troupe to Festival grant covers registration and travel expenses for Thespian member schools that have never been able to attend the event for financial reasons.
Send a Troupe recipients smile while they participate in a workshop at the International Thespian Festival, where they have access to hundreds of workshops and countless learning opportunities.
In the past five years, donors to Send a Troupe have sent more than 200 students, theatre teachers, and adult volunteers from 10 Thespian troupes to the International Thespian Festival. At ITF, students have access to hundreds of educational workshops, theatre professionals, leadership training and world-class performances. More than 50 colleges from across the nation hold auditions for admission and scholarships at ITF.
Send a Troupe to Festival recipients Thespian Troupe 7545 from Bernalillo High School in New Mexico at the International Thespian Festival in Lincoln, NE.
“We thought that it would never happen to us. We’re a small town in West Virginia. Then we’re in class one day and they call us out and we find out that we get the grant, which was the best news in the entire world. Now it honestly feels like a dream.”
— Ashley McNeill, Send a Troupe student recipient from Troupe 7567, Spring Valley High School in West Virginia
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