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Florida State Junior Thespians

Statement of Purpose

The purpose of the Florida State Junior Thespians is to promote and strengthen theatre arts programs in the middle schools.  Florida State Thespians seek to increase the students’ personal skills and knowledge of theatre arts by recognizing their achievement in theatre arts, by providing them with first-rate learning opportunities, and by offering educational resources that will increase their understanding of the theatre.  Florida State Junior Thespians welcomes the participation of all students in grades 6, 7, and 8 who are interested in learning about theatre and who attend a school with a Junior Thespian troupe in good standing with the International Thespian Society.  Florida State Junior Thespians is an affiliate of the International Thespian Society, a component of the Educational Theatre Association.

Philosophy of Competition

Participation in the District and State Festival events allows students to showcase their abilities.  Students are not in competition with others.  Each student is equally empowered to achieve a superior rating.  Feedback from this participation is meant to encourage development in the theatre arts.  In addition to performance opportunities, the festival will include a full range of workshops with professional artists and opportunities for networking and professional development.

Duties and Responsibilities of the
Board of Directors

The Florida State Junior Thespian Board of Directors consists of the State Director, the District Chairpersons, and the Festival Coordinator.  The State Director is elected by the current Florida sponsors.  The Chairpersons are elected/appointed by their District sponsors.  The Festival Coordinator is appointed. 

DUTIES OF THE STATE DIRECTOR

1. Inform the State of International news and events.

2. Inform the Districts of State news and events.

3. Oversee the State Festival.

4. Preside at meetings of the Florida State Board of Directors.

5. Maintain Florida Thespian web page.

6. Prepare and distribute annual financial statement to ETA Headquarters and the District Chairs.

7. Handle intake and distribution of monies.

8. Prepare budgets.

9. Set policy for operation of state organization.

DUTIES OF THE DISTRICT CHAIRPERSONS 

1. Attend meetings called by the State Director.  Some travel is required.

2. Inform the District of State news and events.

3. Inform the State of District news and events.

4. Host or designate a host(s) for District Individual Events and One Act competition.

5. Preside at meetings of the District sponsors.

6. Write, edit, and distribute the District newsletter.

7. Prepare and distribute annual District financial report to the State Director and the District sponsors.

8. Document a tally of the IE and One Act District registration results by the State designated deadline.

9. Handle financial responsibilities of the District.

10. Establish festival calendar.

11. Fulfill state festival responsibilities as assigned by the Festival Coordinator.

SPONSORS OF ACTIVE TROUPES

1. Vote on District Chair.

2. Vote on State Director.

3. Maintain communication with district.

4. Get paper work in on time.

5. Prepare troupe for District/State Festival.

6. Sponsor active troupe.

7. Maintain affiliation with ITS.

FESTIVAL COORDINATOR

1. Establish date and location for Festival.

2.  Attend meetings called by the State Director.

3.  Prepare sections of Festival as designated by State Director.

4.  Host Festival.

5.  Designate responsibilities to District Chairs for the Festival.

6.  Organize publicity and site preparation for the Festival.

7.  Handle registration for the Festival.

8.  Implement day-to-day operations of the Festival.

9. Forward invoices for payment by State.

© Florida State Thespian Society, Michael J. Higgins, State Director.