[SML] Indiana Thespians

[Kristi R-C]

 I’d estimate about 35 states run their own state Thespian festival of some sort. Some, like Wisconsin, do it as part of our state one act festival and we’re expanding our tech offerings next year. All rely upon volunteers and I guarantee anyone with the professional experience typical of the denizens of this list, assuming they can pass the background check to be around kids, would be a welcomed addition.
Beware though... the current national ED for them has demonstrated disdain toward tech and those of us who make it happen on several occasions, and when told “techie” wasn’t appropriate terminology, told several of us that it "isn’t important.” Also evidenced by the fact they had over 300 workshops last year, only 60 had anything to do with tech and only two of us, me and Eric from UNCSA, offered anything to do with making the tech actually happen. The rest were some flavor of “design.”
Part of me wants to let them just hang on that poor leadership, but I made a promise decades ago to never let an ignorant adult get in the way of a kids who want to get an education whether that’s a parent, admin, or someone who claims to be a “teaching artist.” 
Indiana almost didn’t have their tech challenge last week given a similarly ignorant leader, but Tyler DeLong took over. We tech folks know how to make things happen.
ACTF also loves volunteers with pro industry experience - you may have known it as KCACTF but it’s back to being independent. 
Both look for people who can evaluate designs, assist with the tech “challenge” (formerly tech olympics), and give workshops - especially hands on ones. I often teach knots, talk about career opportunities, and I have a “Top 10 Terrors of the Theater” session talking about venue safety that is always an eye-opener for the folks that run venues. Over the years I’ve done things ranging from day-long safety, wardrobe, audio, lighting, rigging and pedagogy to “find me in the commons and learn a knot!” 
We still can’t fill the jobs out here. So, if you want to help teach the next generation, there’s plenty of opportunity. 
Kristi RC


    On Wednesday, February 4, 2026, 03:10:19 PM CST, Philip Johnson via Stagecraft <stagecraft at theatrical.net> wrote:   

 Usually visitors would be required to register and pay for events like Thespians.  They want to know who is there due to the age of their school attendees.  Also, if the event is in a controlled location that requires a badge they may or may not allow you in.   The best way to seek access would be to contact them and let them know you are interested.   

Phil Johnson 

On Mon, Feb 2, 2026 at 2:08 PM Dougherty, Jim via Stagecraft <stagecraft at theatrical.net> wrote:

Kristi et. al. - if you're helping to run an event like this, I wouldn't mind seeing it posted here ahead of time if they allow outsiders in as spectators.  It'd help companies and educators see who was coming up the pike and give the participants a larger, informed audience.  Full disclosure, I just think it'd be fun.  For the diehard technicians, they'd also get to experience a bit of what's commonplace for the actors - supportive strangers watching them do what they do.
I'd also be interested to hear more about the specific events for my own use, but that can be DM'd separately if it's too many details or too big for the list.
Thanks, and I hope it went well!
Jim DoughertyMiddlebury College Theatre Dept
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