THESPYS AWARDS (INTERNATIONAL) HOMEPAGE

The International Thespian Excellence Awards, or THESPYS, are the International Thespian Society's way of recognizing excellent student work and talent in performance and technical theatre. Formerly known as Individual Events (or IEs), students make submissions in a category of their choice. Judges who are experts in that field of theatre then review the submission and evaluate it according to a nationally-developed rubric to award a final distinction of Superior, Excellent, Good, or Fair. Students who earn a Superior​ at the chapter (state) level are invited to submit their video again at the International level as part of the International Thespian Festival.

Categories Guide - SAMPLES OF SUPERIOR

Performance Categories

Monologue
Number in Group: 1
Description: Performance of two contrasting theatrical monologues
Time limit: 3 minutes
Performance rights: See these pages of the Thespys Program Guide.
Attire: All black
Other considerations:
  • Only one character from each play may be portrayed.
  • One chair may be used.
Duet Acting
Number in Group: 2
Description: Performance of one group scene from a play
Time limit: 5 minutes
Performance rights: See these pages of the Thespys Program Guide.
Attire: All black
Other considerations:
  • Two chairs may be used.
Group Acting
Number in Group: 3-16
Description: Performance of one group scene from a play
Time limit: 5 minutes
Performance rights: See these pages of the Thespys Program Guide.
Attire: All black
Other considerations:
  • Only table may be used.
  • Up to six chairs may be used.
Solo Musical Theatre
Number in Group: 1
Description: Performance of one song (used in a musical) publicly available for sale that also has verifiable copyright protection
Time limit: 5 minutes
Performance rights: See these pages of the Thespys Program Guide.
Attire: All black
Other considerations:
  • You must play a recorded accompaniment with no background vocals.
  • You may not sing a cappella UNLESS originally written to be performed a cappella in the script.
Duet Musical Theatre
Number in Group: 2
Description: Performance of one song (used in a musical) publicly available for sale that also has verifiable copyright protection
Time limit: 5 minutes
Performance rights: See these pages of the Thespys Program Guide.
Attire: All black
Other considerations:
  • You must play a recorded accompaniment with no background vocals.
  • You may not sing a cappella UNLESS originally written to be performed a cappella in the script.
Group Musical Theatre
Number in Group: 3-16
Description: Performance of one song (used in a musical) publicly available for sale that also has verifiable copyright protection
Time limit: 5 minutes
Performance rights: See these pages of the Thespys Program Guide.
Attire: All black
Other considerations:
  • You must play a recorded accompaniment with no background vocals.
  • You may not sing a cappella UNLESS originally written to be performed a cappella in the script.

Technical Theatre Categories

Costume Construction
Number in Group: 1
Description: Create a completed costume from a publicly available pattern. Present costume, design collage and all receipts.
Time limit: 8 minutes
Performance rights: No rights required.
Attire: All black
Other considerations:
  • You may not spend over $100, including donated materials (cost of the pattern not included).
  • You will need to present a collage.
Costume Design
Number in Group: 1
Description: Create and present 5 color costume designs for a play or musical.
Time limit: 8 minutes
Performance rights: No rights required.
Attire: All black
Other considerations:
  • Each design is mounted to a 10x15 or 11x17 board.
  • Fabric swatches must be included.
Lighting Design
Number in Group: 1
Description: Create and present a lighting design for a play or musical.
Time limit: 8 minutes
Performance rights: No rights required.
Attire: All black
Other considerations: See Thespys Program Guide for specific requirements.
Make-Up Design
Number in Group: 1
Description: Create and present 5 character renderings and a makeup binder for a play or musical.
Time limit: 8 minutes
Performance rights: No rights required.
Attire: All black
Other considerations: Renderings should be 8" to 10" tall and must be in full color.
Theatre Marketing
Number in Group: 1
Description: Create and present a marketing campaign for a play or musical.
Time limit: 8 minutes
Performance rights: No rights required.
Attire: All black
Other considerations: See the Thespys Program Guide for specific requirements.
Scenic Design
Number in Group: 1
Description: Create and present a set design for a play or musical.
Time limit: 8 minutes
Performance rights: No rights required.
Attire: All black
Other considerations:
  • Design may be a scale model or a perspective drawing, but not both.
  • If using a model, you must bring the model to the presentation (photos are not acceptable).
  • Include a floor plan.
Short Film
Number in Group: 1+
Description: Create an original film, either as an individual or as part of a student group.
Time limit: 5 minutes running time + 1 minute of credits
Performance rights: Use public domain or original music.
Attire: N/A
Other considerations: You will need to submit your film by ITF registration deadline.
Sound Design
Number in Group: 1
Description: Create and present a sound design for a play or musical.
Time limit: 8 minutes
Performance rights: No rights required.
Attire: All black
Other considerations: See the Thespys Program Guide for specific requirements.
Stage Management
Number in Group: 1
Description: Create and present a prompt book, contact sheet, and artistic concept.
Time limit: 8 minutes
Performance rights: No rights required.
Attire: All black
Other considerations: Act as though you are applying for the job of stage manager.
*You may make TWO submissions for the Virginia Thespys, but they must come from different categories (for example, Monologue and Lighting Desing, Solo Musical and Duet Musical, Stage Management and Theatre Marketing, etc, but NOT two Solo Musical).
​After the introduction (slating), time begins with the first word, musical note, or acting action (if it proceeds the first word or note). If a student exceeds the time limit, the judge will notate the time and a final eligibility ruling will be determined.

STATE THESPY REGISTRATION:

2The International Thespian Excellence Awards (Thespys) program will culminate in a showcase of outstanding entries at the 2021 Virginia Thespian 2022 Awards Show.

Thespys can empower you as an educator and advocate for your program:
  • Students can be adjudicated using the National Core Arts Standards in 18 different categories including: Monologues, Musical Theatre, Duet Performances, Group Performances, Stage Management, Design
  • Student receive ratings of SUPERIOR, EXCELLENT, GOOD, FAIR
  • Students who receive ratings of Superior may advance to the International Thespian Excellence Awards competition at the [Virtual] International Thespian Festival in June. 
  • Students who receive ratings of Superior receive a letter from the International Thespian Society for their portfolio, as well as a certificate at the closing ceremony.
  • Principals will receive a letter from the Virginia Thespians congratulating you, your students, and their work.

THESPY PREPARATION HELP

The Nevada Thespians have gathered an amazing wealth of resources for help with preparing your Individual Event. Visit the sites below to check out what they have to offer!
Monologue
Duo Scene
Group Scene
Solo Musical
Duo Musical
Group Musical
Costume Construction
Costume Design
Lighting Design
​Make-Up Design*
Scenic Design
Sound Design
Stage Management
Theatre Marketing
Short Film
Short Film Animation
Short Film Musical
Individual Event adjudication is available at the state (but not national) level for Make-Up Design.