What are Thespys®?
The Thespys®, or International Thespian Excellence Awards, recognize the highest level of achievement in school theatre performance, technical theatre, playwriting, and filmmaking.
Thespians begin their Thespy® by selecting their category and presenting their work for adjudication as an Thespy® Qualifying Event. We host our qualifying event as part of the Ohio Thespian Expo each fall.
Thespians who earn an overall Superior rating at a qualifying event have the opportunity to represent themselves, their troupe, and Ohio Thespian in Thespy® competition at the International Thespian Festival. (Separate registration is required for ITF.)
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Each spring, a small number of students with overall Superior ratings are invited to present their performance during the Ohio Thespy® Showcase at the annual Ohio Thespian Festival.
This event takes place during the Ohio Thespian Expo in the fall of each year.
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Please visit the Ohio Thespian Expo event page to access registration for this and other events.
Thespy® Categories
PERFORMANCE
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Monologue
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Duet Acting
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Group Acting
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Solo Musical Theatre
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Duet Musical Theatre
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Group Musical Theatre
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Solo Musical Theatre Dance
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Group Musical Theatre Dance
DESIGN/TECH
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Costume Design
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Costume Construction
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Scene Design
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Lighting Design
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Sound Design
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Theatre Marketing
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Makeup Design
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Stage Management
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FILM
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Short Film (Live-Action)
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Short Animated Film
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Short Documentary Film
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OTHER
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Playwriting
Who can participate?
Any student who attends a high school or middle school in Ohio that is associated with an active Thespian Troupe is eligible to register and participate in the Ohio Thespy® Qualifying Event. Students must, however, be an inducted Thespian of their home troupe prior to the International Thespian Festival in order to advance to Thespy® competition at ITF.
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.
You can learn more about the competition rules and find the Pre-Approved Materials List on the Thespys® official website.
Ohio's 2024 Superior Thespy
