What is Junior Thespian Society?
The International Thespian Society (ITS), a division of EdTA, is an honorary organization for high school and middle school theatre students. There are ITS troupes at more than 4,900 affiliated schools around the world. The Society’s mission is to honor student achievement in the theatre arts. Students earn induction by participating in an affiliated school's theatre program and accumulating points based on the quality and quantity of their work in theatre. High school inductees are known as Thespians and junior high/middle school inductees are known as Junior Thespians. (https://schooltheatre.org/membership-faqs/)
How do students benefit from International Thespian Society affiliation?
Thespians and Junior Thespians receive the highest recognition due those who have demonstrated commitment and excellence in their school’s theatre program—induction into the world’s largest theatre honor society. In addition to the many tangible benefits listed below, inductees enjoy the sense of community and recognition inherent in being inducted into an honor society. ITS membership and its system of progressive honors and recognition encourages them to practice their craft and to grow as a person. The 21st-century skills that they learn from a quality theatre arts education—creativity, self-confidence, leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills, as well as specific theatre skills—will benefit them throughout school and beyond, no matter what field they choose to pursue. (https://schooltheatre.org/membership-faqs/)