STATE THESPIAN OFFICER CANDIDATES
What is a State Thespian Officer?
State Thespian Officers (STO) are the student leaders of the Iowa Thespian Chapter Board and represent all Thespians in the State of Iowa. The STO are selected at the 2023 Festival and serve from January, 2024–January, 2025. Activities include:
Transportation to and from all Iowa Thespian activities is the responsibility of the student, their parent(s) or legal guardians, and/or Troupe Director. Iowa Thespians and the Educational Theatre Association are not responsible or liable for transportation of student board members.
State Thespian Officers MUST be available for the following meetings/events:
Election Procedures
State Thespian Officer candidates must first attend the Iowa Thespian Leadership Day in August. Candidates must then complete the State Thespian Officer Candidate Application and submit all required documentation on the online application portal by the October 19, 2023 registration deadline.
State Thespian Officers (STO) are the student leaders of the Iowa Thespian Chapter Board and represent all Thespians in the State of Iowa. The STO are selected at the 2023 Festival and serve from January, 2024–January, 2025. Activities include:
- Attending all Iowa Thespian Chapter Board meetings
- Organizing and participating in the Iowa Junior Thespian Festival
- Attending the International Thespian Festival and participating in leadership workshops
- Conducting leadership workshops at the Iowa Thespian Leadership Day
- Organizing and implementing ideas for the State Thespian Festival
- Communicating with Thespians through various outlets, including social media
- Promoting the work of the International Thespian Society and Iowa Thespians
Transportation to and from all Iowa Thespian activities is the responsibility of the student, their parent(s) or legal guardians, and/or Troupe Director. Iowa Thespians and the Educational Theatre Association are not responsible or liable for transportation of student board members.
State Thespian Officers MUST be available for the following meetings/events:
- Saturday, January 13, 2024 - Board Meeting
- Saturday, March 23, 2024 – Board Meeting
- Monday, June 23 – Friday, June 28, 2024 – International Thespian Festival (Bloomington, Indiana)
- Monday, July 15, 2024 - Board Meeting
- Saturday, August 3, 2024 – Iowa Thespian Leadership Day
- Sunday, October 20, 2024 - Board Meeting
- Thursday, November 7 – Saturday, November 9, 2024 – Iowa Thespian Festival
Election Procedures
State Thespian Officer candidates must first attend the Iowa Thespian Leadership Day in August. Candidates must then complete the State Thespian Officer Candidate Application and submit all required documentation on the online application portal by the October 19, 2023 registration deadline.
Application materials that must be submitted include -
State Thespian Officer Essay
All candidates will upload a document to their application form which includes responses (no more than 200-250 words per response) to EACH of the following questions:
1. Why do you want to serve as a State Thespian Officer?
2. What leadership qualities and experiences will you bring to the Iowa Thespian Chapter Board?
3. What new or innovative ideas do you have for the Iowa Thespian Chapter Board?
4. In what other activities and organizations do you participate?
At Festival
During the festival, each student board candidate will participate in the student leadership lunch with the current STOs. Further, each candidate will have an opportunity to meet with the Iowa Thespian Board Selection Committee and give a five-minute presentation, followed by a short interview. The five-minute presentation should focus on the following two key questions:
1. What is your theatre story?
Digital Presentation
State Thespian Officer candidates should prepare a digital presentation that highlights their theatre story. This presentation may include photographs and/or images that help the selection committee to get to know the candidate. The emphasis of the presentation should be on the candidate’s past leadership experience and their theatre background. The digital presentation must be submitted ahead of the interview. All presentations must be submitted via the State Thespian Officer Candidate Application by the registration deadline - October 19, 2023.
Selection Process
All candidates will be selected based upon their participation at the Leadership Day, as well as their completed application, presentation, interview, and participation throughout the Festival, including the Leadership Training. The new student board members will be announced on the Iowa Thespian website, and will be introduced to delegates during the Festival closing ceremonies.
Candidate Resources
- Resume
- Headshot
- Essays (see information below for more details)
- State Thespian Officer Contract (available below)
- Digital Presentation (see below for more details)
State Thespian Officer Essay
All candidates will upload a document to their application form which includes responses (no more than 200-250 words per response) to EACH of the following questions:
1. Why do you want to serve as a State Thespian Officer?
2. What leadership qualities and experiences will you bring to the Iowa Thespian Chapter Board?
3. What new or innovative ideas do you have for the Iowa Thespian Chapter Board?
4. In what other activities and organizations do you participate?
At Festival
During the festival, each student board candidate will participate in the student leadership lunch with the current STOs. Further, each candidate will have an opportunity to meet with the Iowa Thespian Board Selection Committee and give a five-minute presentation, followed by a short interview. The five-minute presentation should focus on the following two key questions:
1. What is your theatre story?
- Share your background on how you became interested in theatre, how it has impacted you, and why you want to be a leader in educational theatre. Emphasis should be on your theatre leadership experience.
- Share your vision for moving Iowa Thespians forward. What ideas do you have to improve the organization? What leadership could you provide to help reach these goals?
Digital Presentation
State Thespian Officer candidates should prepare a digital presentation that highlights their theatre story. This presentation may include photographs and/or images that help the selection committee to get to know the candidate. The emphasis of the presentation should be on the candidate’s past leadership experience and their theatre background. The digital presentation must be submitted ahead of the interview. All presentations must be submitted via the State Thespian Officer Candidate Application by the registration deadline - October 19, 2023.
Selection Process
All candidates will be selected based upon their participation at the Leadership Day, as well as their completed application, presentation, interview, and participation throughout the Festival, including the Leadership Training. The new student board members will be announced on the Iowa Thespian website, and will be introduced to delegates during the Festival closing ceremonies.
Candidate Resources
- State Thespian Officer Contract (must be signed and uploaded in your application)
- Sample Resume
- Sample Digital Presentation
- Sample Digital Presentation 2
