About Us
Ohio Thespians
Ohio Thespians is a chapter of the Educational Theatre Association (EdTA) — a national nonprofit organization with over 100,000 student and professional members.
Our Story
We were founded in 1975, and enjoy over 5,000 active members in 365 high schools and junior high schools across the state.
What We Offer
We empower thespians through educational enrichment opportunities, access to scholarships and college auditions, awards, competitions, and a passionate network of peers. We support teachers by providing professional development, networking opportunities, resources, and recognition.
Our Mission
Our mission is to shape lives through theatre education, honoring student achievement in theatre and enriching their theatre education experience.
International Thespian Society
The EdTA operates the International Thespian Society (ITS), an honorary organization that has inducted more than 2.2 million theatre students since its founding in 1929. Each year, more than 40,000 students from around the country join our number. Today, over 4,000 secondary schools are home to a thespian troupe.
Get Involved
Thespian Areas
Ohio Thespians divides the state into five separate areas, making it easy for you to get involved close to home. Click on your county to learn more about opportunities in your area.
Thespian News
Be Part of the 2021 All-Ohio Show
Time Capsule is an original spoken word, music, dance, and digital production directed by Chennelle Bryant-Harris, with script supervision by David Hansen, technical supervision by Aiden Woods, and choreography by SMJ.
Ohio Thespian Curtain Call: November 2020
The pandemic has moved so much of our lives to the digital world at a time when racial tensions and a politicized nation have created an even greater need for human connection. Through the creation of the All-Ohio show, Time Capsule, students will have the opportunity to share their views of this unique time in our history and share what it was like to be an Ohio high school theater student in 2020-2021.
Ohio Thespian Curtain Call: September 2020
In light of the continued threat posed by COVID-19, many of the 2020-21 Ohio Thespian events will be virtual — including this year’s state conference.
We are using this as an opportunity to reinvent some of our traditional events and explore options for better connecting with thespians across the state and even beyond. We hope that many of the new strategies we pilot this year will prove popular and continue in years to come.