Texas Thespians Junior Festival Dates for 2025 ! 

Junior Festival - Central

February 7th, 2026

East Central High School
​7173 FM1628, San Antonio, TX 
Registration Deadline - January 13
No modifications after 1/19/26

Junior Festival Details

YOU DO NOT NEED A
CHARTERED THESPIAN TROUPE TO ATTEND
WHO CAN ATTEND?
ANY Texas 6th-8th-grade theatre teacher, director, or administrator with 6th-8th-grade theatre (or theatre-loving) students. All students must be registered and accompanied by an adult sponsor. International Thespian Society chartered troupes AND schools with no official chartered troupe can attend. 

COST?
Registration $60 per attendee
Texas OnlyEvents and Thespys- $20
Texas Design Events- $5 per participant

WHAT DOES THE REGISTRATION FEE INCLUDE? 
Each registered attendee receives a Junior Festival shirt, lunch, and access to all festival programming.
​
DO CHAPERONES HAVE TO JUDGE OR TEACH A WORKSHOP? 
ALL SCHOOLS will need to provide: 1 judge for Technical Design and 1 judge for performance events. Chaperones OR directors may teach 2 workshop sessions to earn complimentary registration. 
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Typical Junior Day Schedule 

Director Resources and Forms

2025 - 2026
Texas Thespians W-9
Junior Festival Security Protocols and Rules

​Click HERE to visit the Submittable Homepage

Junior Event Descriptions

Troupe Spotlight


Troupe Spotlight is a FREE event included with your registration.

Although participation in Troupe Spotlight is not mandatory, we want to show off the best and brightest that Texas theatre has to offer, so be creative, have fun, and aim for excellence!​​
REQUIREMENTS
  • Your design must be completed on ONE google slide with a unifying theme.
  • Your Slide needs your SCHOOL NAME and TROUPE NUMBER (if applicable)
  • Your presentation needs to display your school’s PRODUCTION HISTORY, STUDENT PRODUCTION WORK, STUDENT LEADERSHIP, and COMMUNITY/SCHOOL SERVICE that has happened within the past year.
  • All submissions must be completed prior to your arrival at festival, as we will be displaying them at opening and closing ceremonies.
The Troupe Spotlight is not adjudicated, however it can give you a jumpstart on earning points for the Goosechase Challenge, which is an awarded event.

Junior Festival Thespys

Each school may enter a total of ten (10) Thespys at a live Junior Festival. Each student may enter only ONE event. These events are not awarded with trophies. Students/groups receiving a Superior score will qualify for the International Thespian Festival and receive a national qualifier pin.

Junior Festival Live Thespy's ​

Junior Festival Live Thespy’s
We offer seven (7) Thespy categories at each live Junior Regional Festival. 
  • Contrasting Monologues
  • Solo Musical
  • Duet Musical
  • Group Musical
  • Two-Person Scene (Duet Acting)
  • Ensemble Acting (Group Acting)
  • Musical Theatre Dance - Solo, Duet, Group
**Single Monologue Thespy is only offered as a Virtual Competition in November-January.
​

Virtual Thespy's

All other Thespy I.E.s will be offered through the Texas Thespian Virtual Competitions. Virtual competitions are NOT included in your Junior Festival Registration. Virtual competitions will open on November 2025.

Thespy Adjudication: 

  • Directors will receive information on creating ballots using the online submission system. 
  • Directors will create an account and create ballots for each performance Thespy
  • Adjudicators will use these ballots for competitions - Each Performance Must Have A Ballot!
  • Directors will gain real-time access and feedback to digital ballots and results

Junior Festival Performance Events

SOLO MUSICAL LIP SYNC
SPECIFICATIONS:
  • A school may enter unlimited individuals in this category.
  • Students are NOT permitted to make any noise themselves during the performance.
  • Props are permitted
  • KEY JUDGING CRITERIA: Choreography, synchronization, creativity, costumes, and props.
  • NOTE: THIS IS NOT A NATIONAL QUALIFYING EVENT.

REQUIREMENTS:
  • 1 song LIMIT
  • Performances MUST be at least three (3) minutes and are not to exceed seven (7) minutes.
  • Performers MUST begin with a memorized introduction/slate stating the School, Troupe (if applicable), Musical, and Song Selection.
  • Song MUST be from a published musical
  • Music MUST be school appropriate and approved by directors and/or coaches in advance.
  • Music MUST be provided by performer
  • Playback device (phone, tablet, etc.) MUST be provided by performer
  • Performer MUST bring their own speaker/sound system; sound system(s) WILL NOT be provided.
GROUP MUSICAL LIP SYNC
SPECIFICATIONS:
  • A school may enter unlimited teams in this category.
  • Each team will be adjudicated as a whole.
  • Students are NOT permitted to make any noise themselves during the performance.
  • Props are permitted
  • KEY JUDGING CRITERIA: Choreography, synchronization, creativity, costumes, and props.
  • NOTE: THIS IS NOT A NATIONAL QUALIFYING EVENT.
​
REQUIREMENTS:
  • Groups MUST have at least two (2) members; must not exceed twelve (12) members.
  • 1 song LIMIT
  • Song MUST be from a published musical
  • Performances MUST be at least three (3) minutes and are not to exceed seven (7) minutes.
  • Performers MUST begin with a memorized introduction/slate stating the School, Troupe (if applicable), Musical, and Song Selection.
  • Music MUST be school appropriate and approved by directors and/or coaches in advance.
  • Music MUST be provided by performer
  • Playback device (phone, tablet, etc.) MUST be provided by performer
  • Each performer MUST bring their own speaker/sound system; sound system(s) WILL NOT be provided.
IMPROV CHALLENGE
SPECIFICATIONS:
  • A school may enter one (1) team in this category.
  • Each team will be adjudicated as a whole.
  • Teams will draw their Improv topic randomly the day they compete
  • The competition will consist of a Preliminary and Final round.
  • Winners will be announced at the Award Ceremony
  • KEY JUDGING CRITERIA: Story, character(s), and improv standards.
  • NOTE: THIS IS NOT A NATIONAL QUALIFYING EVENT.
​
REQUIREMENTS:
  • Groups MUST have at least two (2) members and should not exceed six (6) members.
  • Each scene MUST last a minimum of two (2) minutes and should not exceed five (5) minutes.
READER'S THEATRE
SPECIFICATIONS:
  • A school may enter one (1) team in this category.
  • Each team will be adjudicated as a whole.
  • Scripts are permitted to be used during the performance
  • Props, costumes, and chairs are permitted.
  • Winners will be announced at the Award Ceremony.
  • KEY JUDGING CRITERIA: Story interpretation, creativity, ensemble work, characterization, movement, and vocal production (voice)
  • NOTE: THIS IS NOT A NATIONAL QUALIFYING EVENT.

REQUIREMENTS:
  • Groups MUST have at least two (2) members and should not exceed twelve (12) members.
  • Selections MUST be from a published book or script and prepared prior to festival.
  • Scripts used MUST be in their original form OR held in folder(s) or binder(s).
  • Students MUST perform the text as written.
  • Music (live or recorded) and additional set pieces are NOT PERMITTED.
  • Each selection MUST last a minimum of three (3) minutes and should not exceed seven (7) minutes.
​
COFFEE HOUSE PERFORMANCE SERIES
Texas Thespians Junior Regional Festivals Coffee House Performance Series is an opportunity for your student(s) to perform for an audience of peers in a low-pressure, and adjudication-free, “coffee-house” or street festival environment.

SPECIFICATIONS:
  • A school may submit one (1) entry in this category.
  • Additional entries may become available once event registration closes.
  • Performances will happen during our 90-minute Lunch Rotation(s)
  • Student(s) will be assigned a 5-minute performance window.
  • Performance selections may include (but are not limited to), original or published:
    • Poetry
    • Slam Poetry
    • Prose
    • Monologue
    • Song
    • Pantomime
    • TV Commercials
    • Comedy Routine
    • And More. . .
  • Props are permitted
  • 1 microphone and 4 chairs will be provided by Texas Thespians for this event
  • A sound system will be provided with an auxiliary jack and a dongle for either an iPhone or Android device.
  • NOTE: THIS IS NOT A NATIONAL QUALIFYING OR ADJUDICATED/AWARDED EVENT.

REQUIREMENTS:
  • Performer(s) MUST prepare a selection prior to their performance window
  • Costumes and set pieces are NOT PERMITTED
  • Storage WILL NOT be available before or after the event.
  • Students are responsible for any instruments or props used for their performance.
  • Selections MUST be school appropriate and approved by directors and/or coaches in advance
  • Music MUST be provided by the performer (if applicable)
  • Playback device (phone, tablet, etc.) MUST be provided by the performer (if applicable)

Junior Festival Team Design

  • A school may have unlimited teams per design category.
  • A design team should consist of 1-4 students.
  • The team will be adjudicated as a whole, with each design receiving a certain score. 
  • These are NOT National Qualifying Events. 

Select the name of the event for the Evaluation Rubric

Event
Submission Items 1
Submission Item 2
Special Notes
Team Costume Design
2 Full-Color Renderings
  • Research/Inspiration
  • Justification
  • Initial Sketchs
Select 2 different characters from the prompt
Team Hair & Makeup Design
2 Full-Color Renderings or Photos of Application.
​Application Onsite Not Allowed!
  • Research/Inspiration
  • Justification
  • Initial Sketchs
Application can be shown in photos or color renderings
Team Scenic Design
Set Design Model or Full Color Rendering
  • Research/Inspiration
  • Justification
  • Initial Sketchs
3D scale model or Full Color Rendering
Team Mask Design
1 fully realized mask from a character in the prompt
  • Research/Inspiration
  • Justification
  • Initial Sketchs
Display on wig head or photos of mask on performer
Team Poster Design
Create a Poster and Playbill for the prompt.
  • Research/Inspiration
  • Justification
  • Initial Sketchs
Poster and Playbill should be printed if created digitally
Team Prop Design
Create 1 Prop from the provided prompt
  • Research/Inspiration
  • Justification
  • Initial Sketchs
3D prop or Full Color Rendering

Team Design Prompt - LINK

Students participating in the design contest will be required to have their displays ready for adjudication before Session 1 - 9:00 AM. Information on the display location will be provided prior to Festival. 
Please ensure your design has been reviewed and approved by your Director
All Designs will need to be collected by Session 4 - 2:00 PM or they will be donated

Team Dramatic Design Challenge 

  • A school can only enter one (1) team in this category as a team of 2-4.
  • The team will be tasked to create a design from a selected show; the prompt will be released the day of Festival.
  • Students will have 45 minutes from the official start time to complete this design and construction challenge, which will take place during Session 4.
  • Their work will be judged as both a concept/final product. 
  • Each school will need to bring their own collection of craft materials; although there is no limit to the amount of materials you can bring, we do have a list of prohibited and suggested items, as well as examples of winners from past contests.

Teams should bring an assortment of design supplies
Limit: 1 tub per team 
* Hot Glue Provided *

Tech Team Relay


​The Tech Challenge is a series of events that are designed to test your knowledge of basic skills that every technician should have. The combination of team and individual events underline the principle that theatre technicians do not work alone and an ensemble that works together to accomplish the given tasks makes the production successful. In technical theatre both time and accuracy are critical to a successful outcome. As artists we demand excellence in the tasks we are given, but as technicians we also have to perform the tasks quickly and efficiently so as not to disrupt the production process.

The Tech Challenge consists of 4 events, individual and team (or pair) events. These events represent the basic skills that every technician should possess to be well-rounded theatre professionals. There shall be a team score sheet carried by the teams for their results from the judges.

Tech Team Playland is included in registration. Winners are announced at the Closing Ceremony Awards Celebration
You will select your students who will represent your school/troupe the day of Festival. 


All participants MUST wear closed toed shoes on the event floor.  If the judges determine a student is not wearing appropriate footwear, the student will not be allowed to compete.

Events MAY include a selection of FOUR of the following:

Junior Festival Board

Click the headshots below for contact email

Alexis Gette

Junior Festival Director

Baxter Chaney

Programing Chair

Jacob Thomas

Tech Playland Chair

Johnathan Hubbard

Competition Events Chair