Each year MO State Thespians honor individuals, schools, and theatre programs that exemplify quality theatre arts education. Nominations are open to active members.
All questions regarding Awards should be sent to Teri Turner at [email protected]
The Judith Rethwisch Outstanding Theatre Educator Award-
Established in 1988; Renamed in 1993
Description of Award:
This awarded is presented to a deserving teacher who exemplifies the best qualities of a teacher within their building, district, and community. They will also represent the very best in Theatre Educators.
Qualifications:
- Nominee must be a current theatre teacher
- Nominee must be teaching in a school with an EDTA recognized Thespian Troupe
- Nominee can not have received this award before.
Application Process:
- Completed Nomination Form
- 2 Letters of Recommendation
- A Letter of Recommendation SHOULD NOT exceed 1 page in length
Outstanding Educator Application
Outstanding Administrator Award - Established in 2003
Description of Award:
This is awarded to a school administrator or team of administrators for their dedication and efforts to support educational theatre in their building, district and community.
Qualifications:
- Must be an administrator at this time or just retired the previous school year
- Nominee can not have received this award before
Application Process:
- Completed Nomination Form
- 2 Letters of Recommendation
- A Letter of Recommendation SHOULD NOT exceed 1 page in length
Debbie Corbin Outstanding Service Award - Established in 1993; Renamed in 2012
Description of Award:
This honor is given to a person or persons within your community that has demonstrated a love for educational theatre its students.
Qualifications:
- Recipient of this award will have provided outstanding services to the school or Missouri Thespian theatre community
- Nominee will have exhibited a love for and dedication to educational theatre through their efforts on behalf of the school or Thespian community
Application Process:
- Completed Nomination Form
- 2 Letters of Recommendation
- A Letter of Recommendation SHOULD NOT exceed 1 page in length
Missouri Thespians Hall of Fame - Established in 2011
Description of Award:
This honor is presented to an individual or team who has demonstrated a dedication to Educational Theatre, a history of promoting theatre in their community, building ...etc. through years of service. The individual/team should also have notable participation with Missouri Thespians through participation at state events, teaching workshops, etc. Overall, this nominee should exhibit years of dedication to Missouri Thespians and as well as to the promotion of educational theatre.
Qualifications:
- Must have been involved in theatre through education, performance, production, advocacy for at least 20 years
Application Process:
- Completed Nomination Form
- 2 Letters of Recommendation
- A Letter of Recommendation should not exceed 1 page
ITF Stipend - Established in 2009
Description of Award:
This award is designed to celebrate the contributions a current Junior in high school has made to their local Theatre Department, community, and ITS Troupe. The winner of this award will receive a waiver equal to the cost of their registration fees for the next International Thespian Festival. The student will still be responsible for their transportation to and from the conference. Their troupe may assist with this cost at their discretion.
Qualifications:
- Nominee must currently be a Junior (11th grade) in High School
- Nominee must be an inducted member, in good standing, of their EDTA recognized ITS Troupe
- Nominee current GPA must be a 2.50 or higher
Application Process:
- Completed Nomination Form
- 2 Letters of Recommendation (1 from the student’s Thespian Troupe Director and 1 from another teacher or Administrator from their building)
- A Letter of Recommendation SHOULD NOT exceed 1 page in length
Jr. Thespian Stipend - Established in 2013
Description of Award:
This award is designed to celebrate the contributions of an 8th Grade Male and a Female Jr. Thespian for their efforts in their Middle School theatre program. Each winner will receive a waiver equal to the cost of their registration fees for the next Missouri State Thespian Conference. The student/school would still be responsible for lodging, meals and transportation.
Qualifications:
- Nominated Student must be in 8th Grade
- Nominated Student must be an inducted member of their EDTA recognized Jr. Thespian Troupe
- A Jr. Thespian Troupe may nominate 2 members from their troupe. 1 Male and 1 Female (not 2 Male or 2 Female)
Application Process:
- Completed Nomination Form
- 2 Letters of Recommendation (1 from the student’s Jr. Thespian Troupe Director and 1 from another teacher or administrator)
- A Letter of Recommendation SHOULD NOT exceed 1 page in length
Community Outreach Grant
Description of Award:
This is a monetary grant given to a deserving Thespian Troupe who presents the best plan of action for increasing the visibility of their troupe and educational theatre within their community. Past recipients have held summer camps for grade schools, performed a District production, or held workshops for the community in a variety of areas relevant to theatre. What great ideas do you have to share with Missouri Thespians?
Qualifications:
- This is a Troupe project
- The Troupe cannot have earned this award in the past 3 years
- The project must be theatre related and promote educational theatre within their community
- Once received the recipient must complete their identified project before the next Missouri State Thespian Conference
Application Process:
- Completed Nomination Form
- Detailed Project Description
- Detailed Project Description (here are some ideas of information to provide – the more we are able to read the easier it is to see your project – be clear and concise):
- Title of project
- Description of Project
- Organizational steps (an explanation of the process from start to finish
- Intended outcome
- Cost estimates
- Headcount of troupe members needed to successfully run the project
- Potential number of community members who will reap the benefits of this project
- What will be the impact of this project on your community
- What do your students/troupe members learn from this project
Send a Troupe/Student Grants
Description of Award:
The Send a Troupe to Thespian Festival 2015 Grant was created with donations from many generous supporters. The goal was to raise enough money so that a Missouri Thespian troupe would have the opportunity to attend the MST State Conference, held each January. There, the troupe will join more than 2,000 students and teachers from across the state in seeing exceptional performances on the Conference main stage, participate in workshops and other events, and can elect to audition for college admission and scholarships.