The State Thespian Conference

The Ohio Thespian State Conference is the highlight of each academic year. More than 1,500 Thespians from across Ohio gather in one location for an unforgettable weekend celebrating theatre and theatre education. Attendees have the opportunity to participate in a variety of workshops and view performances from troupes across the state of Ohio.

Conference Details

The 2024 State Thespian Conference

Dates: March 22 - 24, 2024

Host: Don Wackoviak

Location: Sylvania Northview High School

All-Ohio Show: "Head Over Heels"

Director: Brian Sage

Music Director: Nina Fisher

Choreographer: Courtney Kattengell

Technical Directors: Alexis Hall

All-Ohio Coordinators: Kristy Rodriguez & Jennifer Ludwig

Fees:

Delegate Registration Fee: $100

Chaperone registration Fee: $50

Troupe Director Registration Fee: $0.00

Conference Events

All-Ohio Show

The All-Ohio Show is just one of the exciting opportunities that we offer. The All-Ohio Show provides 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.

Main Stage Shows

One of the highlights of every State Thespian Conference is the full-length shows presented by schools throughout the state. Every Main Stage Show is presented exactly as it was in the home school with a complete cost, sets, costumes, and everything else. Every Main Stage Show is adjudicated to assure a high level of quality.

Workshops

Our conference offers of workshops designed for both students and teachers. Students of acting learn new techniques while also brushing up on choreography, improvisation, and more. Tech students learn about lights, props, rigging. design and more. Teachers earn CEUs with workshops designed specifically for professional development

Best of Thespys

Many students who earned a double superior rating on their performance Thespy will be highlighted at both the opening and closing ceremonies. Tech and design students will also have their work highlighted at conference.

Scholarship Auditions & Interviews

Students who have applied for Thespian Scholarships will audition and interview as part of the conference activities. These include the Bob Fose Scholarship, The Gigi Morelli Participation Scholarship, and the Jimmie Humphries Technical Theatre Scholarship.

Marathon Plays

Schools may elect to bring a short play or cutting to share at the conference. These plays are no-tech and typically presented in a classroom for a small audience. These shows to not need to be screened to be presented.

Tech Challenge

Schools can put together a team of 6 to compete in the Tech Challenge that includes events in lighting, sound, set construction, props, drop folding, and others. Two or more schools may elect to join forces. The top scoring team in these timed events typically win a lighting instrument courtesy of Vincent Lighting and ETC.

Ducks

The duck sales is one of the surprisingly fun activities at the conference. Attendees can purchase a random rubber duck that comes with its own name and description. State Student Officers (STOs) use duck sales to help raise money for the Thespian Scholarships.

College Fair & Displays

Colleges and theatre vendors will have displays in a prominent position at our conference. This is a perfect time for students to "kick the tires" on programs they might be interested in, sign-up for mailing lists, and purchase collectible merchandise or equipment from a variety of related vendors.

Conference History

Past Thespian Conferences

2022-23

Site: Riverside High School
All-Ohio Production: Moon Over Buffalo
Dir. Eugene Sumlin
Host: Laura Poje
Chapter Director: Matt Wolfe

2021-22

Site: Westerville Central High School
All-Ohio Production: Fun Home
Dir. SMJ
Host: Stephanie Matushoneck
Chapter Director: Matt Wolfe

2020-21

Site: Virtual
All-Ohio Production: Time Capsule
Dir. Chennelle Bryant-Harris
Chapter Director: Pat Santanello & Irene Imboden

2019-20

Site: CANCELED COVID-19
All-Ohio Production: Kent State
Dir. JR Simmons
Chapter Director: Pat Santanello & Irene Imboden

2018-19

Site: Akron School for the Arts at Firestone CLC
All-Ohio Production: Carrie: The Musical
Dir. Luke Bovenizer
Host: Mark A. Zimmerman
Chapter Director: Pat Santanello & Irene Imboden

2017-18

Site: Northomont High School
All-Ohio Production: Letters to Sala
Dir. Gail Griffith
Host: Ranger Puterbaugh
Chapter Director: Pat Santanello & Irene Imboden

2016-17

Site: Dublin Scioto High School
All-Ohio Production: Once on This Island
Dir. Kevin P. Kern
Host: Pat Santanello
Chapter Director: Pat Santanello & Irene Imboden

2015-16

Site: Dublin Scioto High School
All-Ohio Production: She Kills Monsters
Dir. Mark Mann
Host: Pat Santanello
Chapter Director: Pat Santanello & Irene Imboden

2014-15

Site: Bexley High School
All-Ohio Production: Spring Awakening
Dir. Ross Shirley
Host: Becky Rhinehart
Chapter Director: Pat Santanello & Irene Imboden

2013-14

Site: Dublin Scioto High School
All-Ohio Production: Good ‘n’ Plenty
Dir. Geoffrey Nelson
Host: Pat Santanello
Chapter Director: Pat Santanello & Irene Imboden

2012-13

Site: Sylvania Northview High School
All-Ohio Production: Rent, School Edition
Dir. Rosie Best, freelancer
Host: Don Wachowiak
Chapter Director: Scott Wilson

2011-12

Site: Centerville High School
All-Ohio Production: The Laramie Project
Dir. Nancy Wolfgang, Youngstown State University
Host: Joe Beumer
Chapter Director: Scott Wilson

2009-10

Site: Ashland University
All-Ohio Production: Indian Blood
Dir. Doreen Dunn, freelancer
Host: Ric Goodwin
Chapter Director: Scott Wilson

2008-09

Site: Beavercreek High School
All-Ohio Production: All Shook Up
Dir. Dr. Dan Doerger, Indiana University East
Host: Dawn Stamper
Chapter Director: Gloria McIntyre

2007-08

Site: Ashland University
All-Ohio Production: Dead Man Walking
Dir. Fabio Polanco, Ashland University
Host: Ric Goodwin
Chapter Director: Gloria McIntyre

2006-07

Site: Northmont High School
All-Ohio Production: Where’s Charley?
Dir. Jhon Marshall, free- lancer
Host: Marjorie Strader
Chapter Director: Gloria McIntyre

2005-06

Site: Ashland University
All-Ohio Production: Violet
Dir. Teresa Durbin, Ashland University
Host: Ric Goodwin
Chapter Director: Gloria McIntyre

2004-05

Site: Dublin Scioto High School
All-Ohio Production: Bus Stop
Dir. Robert Wenck, Texas A & M University
Host: Pat Santanello
Chapter Director: David Leist

2003-04

Site: William Mason High School
All-Ohio Production: A Day in Hollywood/A Night in the Ukraine
Dir. Ginny Chizer, freelancer
Host: Johnothon Sauer
Chapter Director: David Leist

2002-03

Site: Strongville High School
All-Ohio Production: The Tempest
Dir. Lisa Ortenzi, Great Lakes Theatre Festival
Host: Gloria McIntyre
Chapter Director: David Leist

2001-02

Site: Hilliard Davidson High School
All-Ohio Production: Museum
Dir. David Hinds
Host: Diana Vance
Chapter Director: David Leist

2000-01

Site: Indian Hill High School
All-Ohio Production: Little Mary Sunshine
Dir. Jhon Marshall, freelancer
Host: Johnothon Sauer
Chapter Director: Gloria McIntyre

1999-2000

Site: Ashland University
All-Ohio Production: A Midsummer’s Night Dream
Dir. Ric Goodwin, Ashland University
Host: Ric Goodwin
Chapter Director: Gloria McIntyre

1998-99

Site: Dublin Scioto High School
All-Ohio Production: Edison Lite
Dir. Daniel Hahn, Great Lakes Theatre Festival
Host: Pat Thacker
Chapter Director: Gloria McIntyre

1997-98

Site: Northmont High School
All-Ohio Production: Tom Jones
Dir. Jhon Marshall, freelancer
Host: Margie Strader
Chapter Director: Gloria McIntyre

1996-97

Site: Ashland University
All-Ohio Production: Quilt
Dir. Ric Goodwin, Ashland University
Host: Ric Goodwin
Chapter Director: Gloria McIntyre

1995-96

Site: Anderson High School
All-Ohio Production: A Flea in Her Ear
Dir. Ric Goodwin, Ashland University
Host: John Simpkins
Chapter Director: David Hinds

1994-95

Site: Westerville South High School
All-Ohio Production: A Chorus Line
Dir. John Kuhn, University of Toledo
Host: J. Scott Holsclaw
Chapter Director: David Hinds

1993-94

Site: Hilliard High School
All-Ohio Production: The Visit
Dir. F. Scott Regan, Bowling Green State University
Host: Diana Vance
Chapter Director: David Hinds

1992-93

Site: Toledo Whitmer High School
All-Ohio Production: Strider
Dir. Jane Armitage, Oberlin College
Host: Brad Faust
Chapter Director: Madelon Horvath

1991-92

Site: Princeton High School
All-Ohio Production: Godspell
Dir. Ric Goodwin, Ashland University
Host: Jhon Marshall
Chapter Director: Madelon Horvath

1990-91

Site: Hilliard High School
All-Ohio Production: The Dining Room
Dir. Bo Rabby, Ohio Wesleyan University
Host: Diana Vance

Chapter Director: Madelon Horvath

1989-90

Site: Strongville High School
All-Ohio Production: Romeo & Juliet
Dir. Bob Winters, Ohio University
Host: Gloria McIntyre
Chapter Director: Nancy Sprowls

1988-89

Site: Ashland University
All-Ohio Production: Caucasian Chalk Circle
Dir. Bob Winters, Ohio University
Host: Ric Goodwin
Chapter Director: Nancy Sprowls

1987-88

Site: Princeton High School
All-Ohio Production: Runaways
Dir. Tom Manning, Miami University
Host: Jhon Marshall
Chapter Director: Nancy Sprowls

1986-87

Site: Ashland College
All-Ohio Production: Spoon River Anthology
Dir. Ric Godwin, Ashland College
Host: Ric Goodwin
Chapter Director: Marie Glotzbach

1985-86

Site: Fairborn High School
All-Ohio Production: The Crucible
Dir. Jane Armitage, freelancer
Host: Ted & Becky Harding
Chapter Director: Marie Glotzbach

1984-85

Site: Rocky River High School
All-Ohio Production: The Good Doctor
Dir. Jon Ferris, Denison University
Host: Bob Santo
Chapter Director: Marie Glotzbach

1983-84

Site: Upper Arlington High School
All-Ohio Production: Rimers of Eldritch
Dir. John Farris, Denison University
Host: David Hammitt
Chapter Director: Marie Glotzbach

1982-83

Site: Findlay High School
All-Ohio Production: The Interview
Dir. Arno Sleco, Oberlin College
Host: Barb Gebhart
Chapter Director: Marie Glotzbach

1981-82

Site: Rossford High School
Host: Harry Wilcox
Chapter Director: Della Ewalt

1980-81

Site: Newark High School
Host: Marie Glotzbach
Chapter Director: Della Ewalt

1979-80

Site: Worthington High School
Host: Bronwyn Hopton
Chapter Director: Della Ewalt

1978-79

Site: Middletown High School
Host: Jim Butch
Chapter Director: Della Ewalt

1977-78

Site: Newark High School
Host: Tom Humphrey
Chapter Director: Tom Humphrey

1976-77

Site: Shaker Heights High School
Host: Tom Baker
Chapter Director: Tom Humphrey

1975-76