There are a number of scholarships and awards available to Ohio Thespians.

Gigi Morelli Theatre Participation Scholarship (at least 1 @ $1,000)
Benefiting Thespians who have demonstrated exceptional participation and leadership on the local and state level but are entering a different path other than the Arts. Students might be going into military, work force, or a different major in higher learning.

Bob Fose Scholarship (at least 1 @ $1,000)
Benefiting Thespians who have demonstrated exceptional participation and leadership on the local and state level and will be attending a four year program in theatre/ the arts as a career aspiration. Theatre majors in Performance, Design, Management, Administration, Theatre Education, Playwriting… should apply!

Honor Troupe
Honor Troupe recognition promotes excellence and challenge troupes to achieve greater things in the future. Any number of troupes can be recognized each year. You are not in competition with other Thespian Troupes.

You can celebrate the valuable contributions thespian troupe directors and educators make to the culture of their high schools and the lifelong impact they have on students. Any one may nominate a current theatre educator to receive this award.

The annual All-Ohio Show is one of the most exciting opportunities that Ohio Thespians offer.

Every inducted thespian is invited to audition/interview for the company (cast, crew) at the FALLTHESFEST. Auditions and callbacks will be held together. you may participate in Thespys and Ohio Unified and corrdinators will work around your schedule. 

Once the company is selected, the show is created over three/four immersive rehearsal/tech weekends and tech/dress rehearsals leading up to opening night. The All-Ohio show is the featured opening show of the Ohio State Spring Thespian Conference, April 14 & 15 at Riverside High School.

The All-Ohio show provides participating students with the experience of working on an advanced level of theatrical production. Involvement in the All-Ohio show is a special honor for the participants and schools, as well as an unforgettable experience for everyone involved.

Past All-Ohio shows have included Fun Home, the musical (2022), May 4th Voices (2021), Time Capsule (2020), Carrie: The Musical (2019), Letters to Sala (2018), Once On This Island (2017), She Kills Monsters (2016), and Spring Awakening (2015).

Learn more about MOON OVER BUFFALO, the 2023 All-Ohio Show show.

STUDENTS NEED TO BELONG TO A THESPIAN TROUPE

Thespys are an annual International Thespian Society event. FELLTHESFEST holds the regional competition.  Those that earn Double Superior are invited to perform at Spring Conference and attend the International Thespian Festival to represent themsevles, their troupe and Ohio (extra prices apply).

Available in performance, film and technical/design categories, students have the chance to receive feedback and ratings from theatre educators.

Price is $10 per event.

What are the categories?

PERFORMANCE

• Monologue
• Duet Acting
• Group Acting
• Solo Musical Theatre
• Duet Musical Theatre
• Group Musical Theatre

DESIGN/TECH

• Costume Design
• Costume Construction
• Scene Design
• Lighting Design
• Sound Design
• Theatre Marketing
• Makeup Design
• Stage Management

FILM

• Short Film (Live-Action)
• Short Animated Film
• Short Documentary Film

Who can participate?
Any student who attends a high school or middle school in Ohio that is associated with an International Thespian Troupe is eligible to register and participate. Students may register for multiple events but may not register more than once per solo event. For example, a student can compete in monologue, light design, and solo musical, but can NOT compete twice in solo musical.

What else should I know?
You can learn more about the International Competition

Ohio Thespians divides the state into six areas: northeast, north, northwest, southwest, central, and south.

Northeast
Ashtabula, Carroll, Columbiana, Cuyahoga, Geauga, Harrison, Jefferson, Lake, Mahoning, Portage, Stark, Summit, Trumbull, and Tuscarawas counties.

North
Ashland, Crawford, Erie, Holmes, Huron, Lorain, Medina, Ottawa, Richland, Sandusky, Seneca, Washington, and Wyandot counties.

Northwest
Allen, Auglaize, Defiance, Fulton, Hancock, Hardin, Henry Logan, Lucas, Mercer, Paulding, Shelby, Van Wert, Williams, and Wood counties.

Central
Belmont, Coshocton, Delaware, Fairfield, Franklin, Guernsey, Knox, Licking, Madison, Marion, Monroe, Morgan, Morrow, Muskingham, Noble, Perry, Pickaway, and Union counties.

Southwest
Brown, Butler, Champaign, Clark, Clermont, Clinton, Darke, Greene, Hamilton, Miami, Montgomery, Preble, and Warren counties.

South
Adams, Athens, Fayette, Gallia, Highland, Hocking, Jackson, Lawrence, Meigs, Pike, Ross, Scioto, Vinton, and Washington counties.

Austin Peay State University

Bowling Green State University

Heidelberg University School of Music and Theatre

Hunington University

Indiana University, Bloomington

Miami University of Ohio

Northern Kentucky University

Ohio Northern University

Ohio University

Otterbein University

Purdue University

Slippery Rock University

The New York Conservatory For Dramatic Arts

The University of Mount Union

University of Cincinnati CCM

University of Detroit Mercy

University of Findlay

West Virginia University – School of Theatre & Dance

Wilmington College

Wittenberg University

OPEN TO ALL ELIGIBLE STUDENTS (Thespian and non-thespian schools)

Acceptance into top theatre programs is extremely competitive with many students auditioning and interviewing for a limited number of spots. Ohio Thespians’ annual Ohio Unified Interview/Audition Day allow students the chance to be seen by numerous programs using a single simple application.

Ohio Unified is November 5, 2022 at Westerville Central HS. Students will deliver monologues, songs, dance calls, design presentations, anything they wish to showcase in the theatre arts to land a major or minor in a post secondary atmosphere.

Learn more about the 2022 Ohio Unified Theatre Audition and Interview Day.

Ohio Thespians sponsors a variety of annual and special events. Highlights include the Ohio Thespian State Conference (fall and spring), the Ohio Junior Thespian State Conference, Ohio Unified Interview/Audition Day, Ohio State Thespy Competition and the All-Ohio Show.

Tech Challenge offers a fun, competitive, educationally sound environment that showcases the skills and talents of young theatre technicians. Each event is designed to demonstrate the techniques and practices used in professional industry settings. Participants are strongly encouraged to watch, cheer for, and support other teams during the competition. Each troupe is invited to register a team of 6 and compete. ($10/team)

ASSEMBLE A TEAM AND HAVE YOUR TROUPE DIRECTOR INCLUDE IT WITH YOUR REGISTRATION!

The Ohio EdTA Board of Directors comprises adult members and Student Thespian Officers (STOs). They represent and are the voices of all thespians in Ohio. STOs attend all board meetings and help in the planning of all Ohio EdTA events. STOs meet with thespian troupe officers to share leadership skills and lead thespian-related discussions. STOs are involved in planning and running both state conferences. STOs are eligible to run for International Thespian Officers (ITO), who plan the International Thespian Festival.