Hello CA Thespian Troupe Directors!
I am happy to report that California Thespians is thriving and healthy with many new changes
coming up. Our membership is currently 334 troupes and professional members. We
continue to offer many opportunities for Thespians and their sponsors in California, as well as
keep the membership informed about the events happening nationwide with the Educational
Theatre Association. This year we’ll have 70 troupes attending our State Festival, with 14 new
schools attending, and over the past year we have provided leadership training to over 500 Jr
and Sr Thespians.
As I begin my third term as the CA State Thespian Director I am looking to re-structure the
way our board meets to better serve the Thespian Sponsors and their troupes in CA, as well
as be respectful of the busy schedules of board members. Any sponsor who is interested
may apply and be considered for a role on the CA State Thespian Board.
In California we have three types of Thespian Troupes:
 Troupes who attend the CA State Thespian Festival and other activities throughout the
year (Northern and Southern Leadership, Technical Festivals, Northern and Southern
One-Act Festivals, Summer Leadership)
 Troupes who only attend leadership training, the tech conference, the One-Act Festival
and/or other one-day events.
 Schools who have a troupe but do not participate in CST activities
It is important that our board represents all with every level of involvement, and listens to the
needs of our membership. In an effort to better serve all the troupes and sponsors, I am
hoping many of you will consider applying for a position on the CA State Thespian Board.
There are positions available for every level of involvement.
Board member opportunities:
 The State Director - elected every four years. Attends all CST Board meetings and
events.
 The Executive Board - elected from within the State Board. Serve two-year terms may be renewable. Attends Executive Board meetings 5 times per year. Attends
retreat and festival. Must take on a Festival Coordination job.
 Full board member - attends retreat and festival. All other work is done
independently. One-year term.
 Full board member, elected with a student - attends festival. Must take on a festival
coordination job. One-year term.
 Adjunct board member - attends festival, co-ordinates an event at festival, attends
festival, and is not considered a board member.
 State Student Board - student positions. Elected at State Festival. Attends retreat,
festival and meetings 5 times per year.
Transportation to all board meetings is covered for those members in the north. Retreat
lodging/meal expenses are paid for all Executive Board members, Full Board members and
Student Board members. Transportation is not covered for any board members to the
summer retreat.
Board positions are volunteer, non-paid positions.
Duties of a board member include:
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Representing the Thespian troupes (Jr. and Sr. High School) in California
Attendance at board meetings (for Executive, Full and Student board members)
Attendance at State Festival
Attendance at the State Board retreat (for Executive, Full and student board members)
Availability throughout the year for help, guidance, and answering questions from
students and their directors (via email and notes)
Working with guest artists at State Festival
Taking a coordinator/co-coordinator role for State Festival
Having a vision for future programs for Thespians in California
Be one more voice to represent other Troupe Directors on the CST Board
Work collaboratively with other board members
Festival Coordination Jobs (may be a Co-coordinator) include:
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CA PlayWorks program
Thespian Store
Individual Events
Judges
Workshops
Improvisations
Showcase
Play Marathon
Scenefest
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CA Playwright
All-State Show
Hospitality
Guest Relations
New Troupe Orientation
Awards
Directing
Jr. Festival
Interested individuals should email Krista Carson Elhai, California State Thespian Director, at
the8turwoman@aol.com by April 7, 2012. Please attach your application as a PDF. The
application should include:
1. A short description of your vision for the future of CA Thespians;
2. What contributions you can make to the board as a whole; and
3. Your top three Festival Coordination Jobs, and why
If you know of someone who is not a troupe director and who might be interested, please
forward this email to him/her. Board members do not have to be troupe directors, but they
must be members of EdTA (or willing to join). I will be glad to answer any questions you
might have in considering volunteering your time and efforts.
Our students benefit tremendously from dedicated, qualified, forward-thinking and positive
board members. I hope you will all consider this and apply by the deadline.