Eight schools have been invited by the Educational Theatre Association to perform at the International Thespian Festival's main stage, which celebrates its 56th year this June in Lincoln, Nebraska. The invited schools will present productions of such shows as Be More Chill, Shakespeare in Love, and Bring It On.
The opportunity is a major achievement for schools that participate in the festival, with just 11 total schools being invited to perform on the ITF main stage following a nationwide screening and adjudication process. This batch of eight productions follows fall 2018 adjudications. Three more will be invited this spring.
The International Thespian Festival, produced by EdTA and set this year for June 24–29, brings more than 4,000 high school drama students and their teachers together for a week of workshops, networking opportunities, and inspiration. ITF attendees have the chance to interact with colleges, Broadway professionals, and industry leaders as they work towards honing their craft.
Here are the eight schools invited to perform at ITF 2019:
J.J. Pierce High School in Richardson, Texas, Troupe 6896
Shakespeare in Love, directed by Heather Biddle
Parkland High School in Allentown, Pennsylvania, Troupe 439
26 Pebbles, directed by Mark Stutz
Kansas All State in Olathe, Kansas
Bring It On, directed by Ed Shafer
Jemicy School in Owings Mills, Maryland, Troupe 8269
Peter and the Starcatcher, directed by Sean Elias
North Penn High School in Landsdale, Pennsylvania, Troupe 5464
A Midsummer Night's Dream, directed by Andrea Roney and Debra Buckner
Garden City High School in Garden City, Kansas, Troupe 2846
Hamlet, directed by Barbara Hilt
McPherson High School in McPherson, Kansas, Troupe 3796
Noises Off, directed by Greg McGlynn
South Eugene High School in Eugene, Oregon, Troupe 750
Be More Chill, directed by Patrick Avery