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 2025 Festival and serve from January, 2026–January, 2027. 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 for 2026:
Election Procedures
State Thespian Officer candidates MUST attend the Iowa Thespian Leadership Day in August to connect with current STOs and other student leaders. Candidates must then complete the State Thespian Officer Candidate Application (see below) and submit all required documentation located with the online application portal by the Thursday, October 16, 2025, 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 2025 Festival and serve from January, 2026–January, 2027. 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
- Designing and 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 for 2026:
- Sunday, January 11, 2026 - Board Meeting
- Saturday, March 21, 2026 – Board Meeting – Junior Thespian Festival
- Sunday, June 21 – Friday, June 26, 2026 – International Thespian Festival (Bloomington, Indiana)
- Monday, July 13, 2026 - Board Meeting
- Saturday, August 8, 2026 – Iowa Thespian Leadership Day
- Sunday, October 25, 2026 - Board Meeting
- Thursday, November 12 – Saturday, November 14, 2026 – Iowa Thespian Festival
Election Procedures
State Thespian Officer candidates MUST attend the Iowa Thespian Leadership Day in August to connect with current STOs and other student leaders. Candidates must then complete the State Thespian Officer Candidate Application (see below) and submit all required documentation located with the online application portal by the Thursday, October 16, 2025, registration deadline.
State Thespian Officer Candidate Application
Application materials that must be submitted include -
State Thespian Officer Essay
All candidates will upload a document to their application form, which includes responses (responses are to be 200-250 words per response) to EACH of the following questions:
Digital Presentation & Festival Interview
State Thespian Officer candidates should prepare a digital presentation that answers the following questions:
During the festival, each STO candidate will participate in Leadership Training at the Leadership Lunch with the current STO. Each candidate will also meet with the Iowa Thespian Board Selection Committee and give a five-minute in-person presentation of their digital presentation, followed by a short interview.
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 - Thursday, October 16, 2025.
Selection Process
All candidates will be selected based upon their completed application, essay, presentation, interview, and participation throughout the State Festival, including the Leadership Training at Leadership Lunch. The new student board members will be announced on the Iowa Thespian website / app, and will be introduced to delegates during the State Festival closing ceremonies.
Candidate Resources
If you have any questions at all, please feel free to reach out to our Student Leadership Director, Connor Van Der Wal, at [email protected].
Application materials that must be submitted include -
- Theatrical / Leadership Resume - One Document
- Headshot
- State Thespian Officer Contract (available below)
- Essay (see information below for more details)
- Digital Presentation (see below for more details)
State Thespian Officer Essay
All candidates will upload a document to their application form, which includes responses (responses are to be 200-250 words per response) to EACH of the following questions:
- Why do you want to serve as a State Thespian Officer?
- What leadership qualities and experiences will you bring to the Iowa Thespian Chapter Board?
- What new or innovative ideas do you have for the Iowa Thespian Chapter Board?
- In what other activities and organizations do you participate?
Digital Presentation & Festival Interview
State Thespian Officer candidates should prepare a digital presentation that answers the following questions:
- What is your theatre story? Share your specific background in theatre. How did you become interested in theatre? In what ways has theatre impacted you? How has theatre influenced your leadership skills?
- How do you serve your troupe? Describe the unique leadership qualities and experiences that you possess and how you use those to serve your troupe and community.
During the festival, each STO candidate will participate in Leadership Training at the Leadership Lunch with the current STO. Each candidate will also meet with the Iowa Thespian Board Selection Committee and give a five-minute in-person presentation of their digital presentation, followed by a short interview.
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 - Thursday, October 16, 2025.
Selection Process
All candidates will be selected based upon their completed application, essay, presentation, interview, and participation throughout the State Festival, including the Leadership Training at Leadership Lunch. The new student board members will be announced on the Iowa Thespian website / app, and will be introduced to delegates during the State Festival closing ceremonies.
Candidate Resources
- State Thespian Officer Contract (must be signed and uploaded in your application)
- Sample Resume
- Sample Digital Presentation 1
- Sample Digital Presentation 2
- Sample Digital Presentation 3
- Sample Digital Presentation 4
- Sample Digital Presentation 5
If you have any questions at all, please feel free to reach out to our Student Leadership Director, Connor Van Der Wal, at [email protected].
