We invite all PA Thespian Troupes to attend the PA State Thespian Conference this year and we are grateful to Altoona HS in Altoona, PA for volunteering to be our host for this year’s event.
Please read through the following information before submitting your registration packet for conference, as some registration procedures have changed.
Registration
due Oct. 5th!
REGISTRATION INFORMATION
Things to Know and Do Before You Go . . .
REGISTRATION FEES
Includes access to all on-site performances, three workshop sessions, a t-shirt, and several meals (Friday dinner, Saturday lunch & dinner, Sunday lunch).
Students: Inducted Thespians -$110. Not yet inducted -$125.
State Thespian Officers -$0.
Adults*: Chaperones -$75.
Troupe Director (1 per troupe) - $0.
*Every troupe MUST have 1 troupe director + 1 chaperone in attendance at all times. For larger delegations, please use a 15:1 ratio as a guideline for additional adult registrations. Troupe Sponsors and Chaperones are responsible for the supervision of their students at all times and are required to have enough chaperones to manage the number of students attending.
REGISTRATION DEADLINES AND PAYMENTS
All information packets must be received by Monday, October 5th by
5 pm. Late fee of $20 per person will apply for any registrations/changes received after the deadline.
Files should be sent via email to: chapterdirector@pathespians.org
There are no refunds for changes/drops after the registration deadline or if a school cancels its attendance. An updated W-9 form is available here. Email the Chapter Director with questions.
PA Thespians does purchase event cancellation insurance, and if the event is cancelled by a higher authority (ie. state of emergency), we will work with our insurance provider and attempt to issue at least partial refunds, if possible.
Payment must be postmarked by October 31st.
Payment by check is preferred. Checks should be made payable to 'PA Thespians' and mailed to: Melissa Mintzer, PA Chapter Director, 201 Skyline Drive, Willow Street, PA 17584.
REGISTRATION
BEST PRACTICES
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Be sure that you fill in all required information in the registration document. There are four tabs with key information:
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Troupe Summary (Troupe Director Contact info, total # of events/participants, and summary of all fees)
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Adult Info - full legal name & email address for all chaperones and troupe directors, t-shirt sizes and dietary restrictions
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Student Info - names, pronouns, induction status, t-shirt sizes, and dietary restrictions
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Additional Events Info - Hall of Fame troupe selections, improv pairs & tech challenge team members. Also, for planning purposes of time & space, we would also appreciate knowing how many grade 11/12 inducted Thespians are interested in scholarships & college showcase opportunities.
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Make copies for your own records before mailing anything and secure tracking if you need confirmation that your mail was received.
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Checks should not be stapled to paperwork. If sending a money order, don’t forget to sign if it requires a signature (not all do) before sending.
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Because of the fees associated with electronic payments, checks for troupe registration payments are preferred.
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Submit paperwork early to ensure proper processing time & to avoid late fees.
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Late registrations will only be accepted for events (tech challenge, improv, etc) if space and time permit.
TRAK-1
BACKGROUND CHECKS
ALL adults (Workshop Presenters, College Reps, Chaperones & Troupe Directors - any non-HS student) need to have a background check, and should submit the full legal name for all adult registrations. All adults will receive an email at the address listed.
TRAK-1 MUST BE COMPLETED by October 15, 2026.
This background check is paid for by PA Thespians and is separate from whatever school districts may require for adults to participate as chaperones. Every non-student will receive an email with the link for the Trak-1 process (everyone needs to be registered with a working email address.)
HEALTH/ACCEPTANCE
FORMS
Every delegate (students and adults) needs to complete a health/acceptance form. This form includes medical information, emergency contact information, as well as other permissions (ie. photography consent). Troupe directors are responsible for collecting these forms from their students with all of the necessary information and signatures in advance.
Troupe directors must SCAN and send a digital copy of everyone’s forms prior to November 6th. Hard copies will not be accepted. Pro-tip: If your school’s copier has a scan feature, you can run all of your forms through it at once & send them all as one file!
NOTE: Troupe directors should carry a hard copy of these forms at all times during PA Thespian Festival weekend, and students should have a hard copy folded & carried in their name badge throughout the weekend. In case of an emergency, this allows the information to be referenced without delay.
TRANSPORTATION, HOTELS, AND MEALS
Each troupe is responsible for its own transportation to and from the event, as well as from the hotel to the school, if applicable. No shuttle bus service is provided. Bus parking information will be provided via email to Troupe Sponsors.
Troupe directors are also responsible for making their own reservations and payments for any hotel stays for their group. PA Thespians may attempt to reach out to area hotels for blocks of rooms, but cannot guarantee this accommodation. Information about any hotel blocks will be forwarded via email to Troupe Directors.
Some meals are included in the registration fee and will be served in the host school HS cafeteria. These meals include: Friday dinner, Saturday lunch & dinner, Sunday lunch. Dietary restrictions are part of the registration process, and requirements should be listed for any individuals in need of accommodations.
**BE ADVISED** Schools MAY NOT DoorDash/UberEats/Deliver food to the school. Students are not permitted to eat food in the hallways or stairwells. All meals will be eaten in the cafeteria.
NAME BADGES/RIBBONS
All delegates (adults and students) will receive a name badge upon arrival. These badges must be worn at all times by all delegates -it is what allows you to enter performances, meals and all activities. If lost, a $10 replacement fee will be assessed at the registration table as needed. Health Forms can be folded and inserted into the badge.
Ribbons will be selected in the Registration Form. Deadline: October 5th. The number of ribbons requested should match your registration numbers - inducted Thespians, chaperones, troupe director, mainstage/one-act, etc. There are additional ribbons for those in other positions - ie. STO students, board members, workshop presenters. Ribbons should be attached to the bottom of the name badges to identify and recognize all of the accomplishments and achievements for all of our delegates.
Ribbons cannot be replaced if they fall off of your name badge. However, we will have some additional “dramatic” ribbons for sale at the boutique.
