The final round of the International Thespian Excellence Awards is adjudicated both in-person and digitally. Qualified Thespians who are attending the International Thespian Festival in person will present their Thespy entry to a group of adjudicators on campus at Indiana University Bloomington (except for participants in the Playwriting and Short Film categories, who must submit their work digitally ahead of ITF regardless of whether they are attending). 

Students unable to attend ITF in person may register for the digital Thespy adjudication.

Please refer to the official Program Guide for a comprehensive list of submission rules and see below for tips on optimizing your digital entry to get the best feedback and scores.

Note that grants to attend ITF are available if cost is a barrier. 

Preparing for Filming: 

• Pay an accompanist to record a track for you and send you an .mp3 file. Try reaching out to your local university's music or theatre department as a start. Alternatively, find a karaoke track. No background vocals are permitted on the track. Tracks to many songs are relatively easy to find online, or check with the licensing company who holds the performance rights to the show your song is from; sometimes there are official tracks that are of superior quality. 

• Rehearse often so that your performance is as polished as can be. 

• Find an effective filming location in a quiet area so adjudicators can hear both you and your track (if applicable). Before filming, conduct a full volume test to make sure you and your track can be heard in the recording. Microphones are acceptable in order to improve audio quality, provided that they are worn and not handheld. Be sure any mic packs and wires are securely attached and do not distract from the performance. 

• Ensure your background is not distracting. If possible, choose a solid-color wall or consider hanging a sheet behind you. The color of your background should contrast with your clothing so the adjudicators can clearly see you. 

• Dress neatly, as indicated in the guidelines. No costumes or theatrical makeup are allowed. 

During Filming: 

• Depending on whether you’re performing a solo, duet, or group piece, you may use the allotted number of chairs or a table as indicated in the official Program Guide.  

• Make sure your entire body is visible in the frame. The adjudicators will need to be able to see you in order to accurately score your movement choices.  

• Shoot your video horizontally (in landscape orientation) rather than vertically (portrait orientation) and ensure your blocking is visible on camera.  

• If performing a solo, choose a specific focal point for your “scene partner.” You do not need to look straight into the camera, but you should have clear focal points, just like when performing on stage. 

• Shoot in a single take to replicate an in-person performance as much as possible. 

After Filming: 

• Watch your video both before and after uploading to ensure it's what you want to submit.  

• Do not edit your submission by combining multiple takes. Do not cut between the slate and the performance. Likewise, no text or special effects should be added. Any editing of the performance will result in a disqualification. 

• Upload your video to a file sharing platform (Google Drive, Vimeo, YouTube, etc.) and make sure it’s public to those with the link. You will need to provide this shared link in your Thespys entry form. Give your video a clear name. 

You will be asked to share your portfolio as you would for an in-person presentation. Please upload the material asked for in the submission form in accordance with the category guidelines.   

• Uploads should be well-photographed or clearly readable. Though you will be able to expand in your video presentation, the sample should be able to speak for itself to a certain extent.  

• It is recommended to combine all the support materials into a single PDF portfolio submission, like looking through an actual binder or portfolio. For photo uploads (i.e., renderings or costume construction photos) use common file types like JPEG, PDF, PNG (avoid HEIC). 

In addition to your portfolio, you will be asked to submit a video. Think of this like you would an in-person interview: What would you prepare or say if you were showcasing your work in front of a panel of judges?  

• This is your opportunity to demonstrate your understanding of the job/role and an opportunity for you to explain your work/process.  

• Remember, your explanation accounts for a significant portion of your final score. Write a script for yourself to make sure you don't miss any elements that would affect your score. And check out the category-specific questions provided in each category’s rules. 

• Share your portfolio as you would for an in-person presentation.  

• Watch your video both before and after uploading to ensure it's what you want to submit.  

• Upload your video to a file sharing platform (Google Drive, Vimeo, YouTube, etc.) and make sure it’s public to those with the link. You will need to provide this shared link in your Thespys entry form. Give your video a clear name. 

Yes, in the final round of Thespy adjudication, you may submit entries for any approved Thespy category for which you earned an overall Superior rating at a qualifying event. You may not submit multiple entries for the same category. Note that some chapters may not be able to accommodate multiple entries per student at their qualifying events. 

Students are scored by a panel of adjudicators. The students or groups achieving the highest scores in each category are honored with Thespy Awards. More specifically: 

• Winners are selected on their overall scores, which represent the average score of all adjudicators present. 

• If no qualifiers earn a Superior rating in any given category, there will be no Thespy Award winner in that category. Students must achieve an overall Superior rating to become a Thespy Award winner.

• If more than one student or group earns the same highest score in any given category, all students will receive Thespy Awards.

• Currently, there is no cap or quota on the number of award winners. 

Please complete the Adjudicator Application and the free adjudication training course on EdTA's Learning Center. 

Note that troupe directors and chaperones may be required to volunteer as adjudicators during the final round of adjudication at ITF if more than four of their students are participating in the Thespy program. Prior adjudication experience is not required but completion of the adjudication training course is mandatory.