How membership is granted

Thespian membership is granted for the demonstration of a commitment to excellence in theatre arts that meets EdTA’s general guidelines. Specifically, students become members by earning points for their work.

Troupe directors should notify their students that records of their activities will be maintained and that Thespian membership will be conferred when qualifications have been met. The troupe director maintains these records for the Carroll Theatre Department and they are available for the student’s review.

When the required number of points has been earned, the apprentices should be given Membership Notification Cards informing them that they may join the International Thespian Society. No hazing of student candidates is permitted.

Awarding points

Please see the suggested point system for the maximum number of points that may be earned for a specific assignment. Troupe directors may award two additional points for any task performed with exceptional merit and should use their discretion in awarding points - from zero to the maximum - according to the quality of work and cooperation. The Thespian troupe director makes the final decision regarding the awarding of Thespian points.

In general:

1. One point represents approximately ten hours of excellent work. Use this formula in awarding points for items not specifically listed.
2. To become a Thespian, a student must earn ten points, five of which must be acquired at the school where he or she is to be inducted.
3. A prospective member must participate in at least two full-length productions, or one full-length and two one-acts, or four one-acts.
4. Participation should be in at least two of the listed categories, for example, acting and business.
   
5. Students may earn up to five points toward membership in the high school Thespian troupe through participation in community, children’s or professional theatre, or in other activities in the performing arts, or through participation at the middle school level or within a Junior Thespian troupe.
   
6. Thespian membership will be awarded to all students who qualify. No student can be elected into the troupe, and no student can be denied membership if he or she has fulfilled all membership requirements.
   
7. A student member must maintain satisfactory standards of membership as set forth by the constitution of the troupe and by the EdTA governing board. A student may be suspended or expelled from the troupe by the troupe director. A suspended student may not participate in the activities of any Thespian troupe nor attend Thespian conferences during the period of his or her suspension. However, neither the term of the student’s subscription to Dramatics magazine nor the student’s paid membership status will be affected. Once a student has been submitted to the home office, their name can not be removed from the membership rolls.

Exceptional Thespians

After Thespians have attained membership, further recognition for their outstanding work in theatre arts may be indicated by awarding stars for each additional ten points (or 100 hours) earned. Star ratings should be designated on the student’s membership certificate under “Thespian Stars Earned.” We also encourage the troupe to indicate star ratings after the student names on playbills, membership rolls, and in other printed materials.

When a Thespian has earned the maximum of four stars and an additional ten points (a grand total of 60 points), he or she earns the designation of “Honor Thespian” and is eligible for an honor Thespian guard. Thespians earning 120 points may be awarded the National Honor Thespian guard. Those who accumulate 180 points or more may be recognized with the International Honor Thespian pin.

Transfer students

A Thespian moving to another affiliated school is entitled to transfer membership by having the new troupe director verify the membership with the EdTA home office. A new membership card and certificate may be secured by submitting a transfer membership form.