New Jersey Thespians

New Jersey Thespians is the state chapter of the Educational Theatre Association (EdTA), which sponsors the International Thespian Society (ITS). Its mission is to promote, strengthen, and advocate for theatre arts education in New Jersey’s schools.

EdTA is a national nonprofit organization with approximately 90,000 student and professional members. EdTA’s mission is shaping lives through theatre education by: honoring student achievement in theatre and enriching their theatre education experience; supporting teachers by providing professional development, networking opportunities, resources, and recognition; and influencing public opinion that theatre education is essential and builds life skills.

The International Thespian Society is the Educational Theatre Association’s student honorary organization. ITS recognizes the achievements of high school and middle school theatre students. Since 1929, EdTA has inducted more than 2 million Thespians into ITS. That number continues to grow, with more than 36,000 students from around the country being inducted each year.

New Jersey Thespians also hosts the state’s largest annual theatre event, the New Jersey Thespian Festival. Over the course of the two days, students can participate in various workshops (in areas of performance and technical theatre), compete in a variety of Individual and Group Events, audition for scholarships from colleges and universities, and visit information booths and theatrical vendors. Students can also view Main Stage Performances and participate in community service efforts like Broadway Cares/ Equity Fights AIDS. Our competition segment, The Thespys, boasts an international component in which students can compete at the annual International Thespian Festival (ITF) held in Indiana. ITF hosts over 5,000 student participants in a week-long theatre festival.