Colorado Thespians offers numerous opportunities for students at ThesCon and beyond. Students can participate in Individual Events or Thespys, apply to be a student leader through our State Thespian Officer program, audition for a number of colleges and universities, and so much more.
Each year, we look to cast 15-20 student performers from around Colorado to participate in the ThesCon Opening Number! The audition is open to all students grade 8-12 who register for and attend the Colorado State Thespians Conference. We are looking to cast students who complete the following process by October 20th at midnight, no exceptions. Click Here for the most updated information.
The All State Tech Team is comprised of a group of students dedicated to their personal and professional growth in tech theatre. Interested students must commit to 2-3 days of ThesCon, working in the Bellco, learning and participating in professional level “festival style” tech.
Before you apply, please carefully review the expectations of the position, included on the application.
The Deadline to apply is October 20 at midnight.
ITF’s Chapter Select One-Act Showcase features simply staged one-acts that celebrate storytelling and highlight outstanding student performances from EdTA chapters around the country and world.
To be considered for the Chapter Select OneAct Showcase, one-acts must be adjudicated at International Thespian Society (ITS) chapter events (ThesCon). State Chapters then recommend one outstanding short performance from their festival/conference to present their work at the International Thespian Festival (ITF). A limited number of performance slots are available at ITF.
At the National level, the Chapter Select Showcase, each show is allowed one hour for set up, performance and strike. It is recommended schools adhere to the forty-five minute performance time, ten minutes to set, and five minutes to strike recommendation.
In Colorado, Schools may perform a 30 minute one act or an up to 75 minute one act published for stage production. Only one entry per school is allowed. Original work IS accepted. Please choose your slot accordingly, and do not register for a 75 minute one act slot if your performance is only 40 minutes. If a 75 minute performance is selected as Colorado’s Chapter Select, that school would need to cut to fit within the time frame for performing at ITF.
Adjudicators may recommend one top-quality show (and an alternate in case the first school is unable to attend) for the Chapter Select Showcase held at ITF. These recommendations will be submitted by the chapter director.
Eligibility
All chapters that hold conferences will be given the opportunity to select one One Act for performance in the Chapter Select Showcase, but all may not be accommodated at ITF.
Registration closes November 10 and performance spaces are open until full.
If invited to present at ITF, a troupe must be registered for the entire week of ITF, and performers must be inducted Thespians.
While we encourage a creative use of costumes and props, other elements such as lighting and set are limited.
SOUND AND LIGHTS
SCENERY, PROPS AND COSTUMES
Stage Dimensions: 16’x24’x16″, stairs SR & SL
Due to the limited set and strike time, please limit the number of items you bring.
Colorado State Thespians gives high school seniors the opportunity to audition for 40+ colleges, universities, and conservatories from across the country.
In addition to auditioning for college programs, students are also eligible to compete for Colorado Thespians scholarships to help pay for their college theatre education.
You must complete all four steps by the deadline.
Your teacher must register you for the live college auditions through the Colorado Thespians Thespy/IE registration system.
Create a profile at:
students.cothespians.net
Be sure to include the name of your school or your application will not go through.
If your category requires a self-tape, upload it to your student profile.
You may also upload an additional video showing more of your work. This is strongly recommended because colleges can use it to learn more about you.
Pay the required fee and submit your application.
November 18 is a strict deadline. Students cannot register or submit materials after the deadline.
Important: There are no refunds for students who register but fail to follow the requirements or are later determined to be ineligible.
To participate, you must:
You cannot audition in multiple categories.
SAT/ACT or other test scores are not required by Colorado Thespians.
Performance auditions are live auditions at ThesCon.
Colleges and universities will receive links to your video audition materials after the live auditions are completed.
A video-only submission does not replace the live audition and will make you ineligible for the Colorado Thespians scholarship.
The live audition gives college representatives the opportunity to see your:
Technical Theatre auditions are currently video only.
If you are auditioning as a dancer:
A dance-only audition is not allowed.
Your presentation might include:
If you are uploading a self-tape to accompany your audition, or a tape is required for your category:
LAST NAME_FIRST NAME_AUDITION TAPE
Before submitting, watch your entire recording. Make sure you can clearly see and hear yourself.
If you cannot see or hear yourself clearly, record it again.
Your audition should show the best version of your abilities.
Choose material that challenges you and gives you an opportunity to demonstrate your range. Avoid choosing an easy, one-dimensional piece simply because it is comfortable.
Avoid using monologues you find through a general internet search unless they are connected to a complete, published script.
For every piece, ask yourself:
Your character should not begin and end the piece in exactly the same place.
Look for a clear journey or evolution.
Identify the character’s:
Tactics should be active verbs that you can play physically.
For example:
“Talking” is not an interesting tactic. Show us what you are doing to get what you want.
Connect to the imaginary circumstances of the play and allow the character’s emotions to develop naturally.
Think about how the character’s emotional life can also be expressed physically.
If you are performing two pieces, they should contrast with each other.
Contrast does not necessarily mean “one comedy and one drama.”
You can create contrast through:
For Musical Theatre auditions, your song and monologue should also contrast.
Example: If you choose an emotional ballad, consider choosing a lighter or more comedic monologue.
Perform two contrasting selections from published plays within the two-minute time limit.
Choose characters reasonably close to your own age and select material that gives you an opportunity to demonstrate:
Choose material you feel confident performing, but don’t be afraid to take a risk.
Perform:
Both must fit within the two-minute total time limit.
Your song and monologue should contrast with each other.
Your monologue should:
Treat your song as an acting performance, not simply a vocal performance. Your character should want something, pursue something, and experience a change during the song.
Choose one area of technical theatre to showcase.
Examples include:
Your portfolio should demonstrate your skills and show how your work developed from the beginning of a project through the final production.
You may include:
If you have enough time, you may include multiple projects. However, it is usually better to fully explain one successful project than to rush through several.
Be prepared to discuss:
A slideshow presentation recorded with a screen recording and voice-over is strongly recommended.
As you present:
If you are unsure what materials to include, review the International Thespian Excellence (Thespy) technical theatre rules and recommendations.
Please consider the following recommendations when taping your performance.
Find a quiet, neutral space where you will not be interrupted.
You should have:
A blank wall works well. If you don’t have one, curtains or a white sheet can work.
Ask your teacher if you can use a classroom, rehearsal space, or theatre.
Your adjudicators need to be able to see your face and body clearly.
A simple three-point lighting setup can be created with lamps:
If you are using a theatre space, ask your teacher whether the theatrical lighting can be used.
A smartphone is usually more than capable of recording a successful audition.
If you do not have access to a camera, ask a teacher or friend for help.
Always record horizontally.
For performance auditions:
Use the closer framing for your less physical piece so the adjudicators can clearly see your face and eyes.
For Musical Theatre, perform your song with the same acting intention you would bring to a monologue.
College representatives may contact you for a callback or interview at ThesCon.
Use the email address listed in your students.cothespians.net profile to see which colleges want to meet with you.
If a school contacts you, respond and meet with them, even if you are not sure you want to attend that school.
You may be asked about:
You should also prepare questions to ask the college representative.
Remember: theatre is a business built on relationships and networking.
Scholarship or admission offers may also come by email, phone, or mail after the conference.
Your college audition also serves as your audition for a Dr. Jay Seller Colorado Thespians Scholarship.
Scholarship winners and runners-up are selected by Colorado Thespians based on the submitted audition materials.
To ensure a fair process, teachers who currently or previously taught an applicant must remove themselves from the scholarship selection process.
Please encourage students to register themselves through:
students.cothespians.net
This is a student registration process and should not be completed by a parent or teacher.
Please emphasize the strict time limits and encourage students to respond to college representatives who contact them.
Students represent themselves, their school, and Colorado State Thespians. Professionalism is expected throughout the process.
Due to limited space and at the request of college auditors, sponsors/teachers will not be permitted to observe the scholarship auditions.
Students may participate in two Thespy/IEs in addition to their college audition.
There are a limited number of in-person audition spots, so early registration is recommended.
Before November 18 at midnight, make sure you have:
☐ Registered for ThesCon
☐ Had your teacher register you for the live college auditions
☐ Created your account at students.cothespians.net
☐ Entered your school correctly
☐ Confirmed that you meet the eligibility requirements
☐ Chosen ONE audition category
☐ Selected and prepared your audition material
☐ Recorded your self-tape, if required
☐ Checked that your video is horizontal
☐ Checked that you can clearly see and hear yourself
☐ Named your file correctly
☐ Uploaded your audition
☐ Paid the required fee
☐ Submitted your application
Start early. Give yourself time to choose strong material, record your audition, watch it back, and fix any problems before you submit.
Schools can register their entire improv performance group, or any part of their improv performance group – up to 25 members. Groups will present and work as an ensemble to demonstrate a unique and specific style of improv performance. It has been the mission of Colorado Thespians to showcase improvisation as a form of theatre, as opposed to merely being humorous. Colorado Thespians believes that students who enter the Improv Showcase are ready to stretch their skills into a more authentic form of self-expression.
Each school may register one performance group, with a maximum of 25 troupe members allowed for this event. There will only be 40 performance spots available. On the day of the event, each group will be given a 15 minute performance slot at the conference. In this time frame your group will be required to introduce your troupe, solicit and receive suggestions, and engage the audience with your performance.
We highly encourage teams who enter the Improv Showcase to work with a sponsor or a director to allow their own authenticity to be strengthened through their performance. The more comfortable the performers are with going into a place of truth during their performance within their ensemble, the more the audience will be engaged in the showcase. Each troupe’s performance will receive feedback following the conference, in order to better hone your craft. The charge for this event is $25 per participant.
Improv Showcase is not an ITF Qualifying Event.
Submit Your Production!
Colorado Thespians selects two schools each year to present their high school production on the main stage in the Bellco Theatre. This is an exciting opportunity for the selected schools and for the state thespian membership. We would like you to consider bringing your show to the Colorado State Thespian Conference; our screening period is from August to the first weekend in November. We can also screen a show in the rehearsal process or simply for educational purposes for the school. Please schedule early as it takes us time to arrange a screener. For in depth information and deadlines see Main Stage Shows.
MIDDLE SCHOOL SCREENINGS ARE ON HOLD FOR THE 2026 JR THESCON.
Colorado Thespians will screen middle school one acts or selections from fall productions to appear at the middle school mainstage event. We seek to elevate the outstanding work of middle school theatre communities and hope students can see themselves reflected in the work presented onstage, be inspired by exciting performances, and cheer on their same aged peers. Our selection process considers:
A Colorado Student Thespian Officer is a leader in the community, representing the youth voice at select events during their time as an officer. In addition, they teach workshops at conference, help organize the Share the Dream campaign, work as ambassadors at ThesCon, and work alongside the adult board to make sure ThesCon and Jr ThesCon run smoothly.
Applications are accepted online at the Student Login Portal. The deadline is Feb. 2, midnight.
Round One
Applicants should be sure to complete the following for full consideration:
Personal details including name, pronouns, and ARTIST OBJECTIVE*, complete home address, email, graduation year, and current school.
* Your artist objective can and should act as your philosophy on the overlap between theatre and leadership
The application window closes February 2 at midnight. There is no fee to apply.
All applicants will be notified of their second round status by the end of February.
Round Two
After you submit your resume and profile, Colorado Thespians will reach out to applicants for a contact name and email for their chosen educator for a reference. Applicants do not need to do anything to request this recommendation. No applicant will be reviewed or interviewed without a strong teacher recommendation (we will request contact information from you after the February deadline.
Round two finalists will be contacted via email to submit a video Q&A. Those who are not finalists will also be contacted via email.
Round Three
After screeners evaluate videos and recommendations from second round candidates, individuals may be contacted via email or phone for round three interviews. Virtual interviews take place on a Saturday in early April from 9:00 am – 12:00 pm. If you are in rehearsal, please inform your director that you will have to step out for five minutes to take the interview call.
4) Requirements to be an STO
First | Last | School | Grad Year |
Mi-Young | Kraft | CHATFIELD HIGH SCHOOL | 2026 |
Reagan | O’Connor | LITTLETON HIGH SCHOOL | 2026 |
Sonnett | Renoux | SUMMIT HIGH SCHOOL | 2026 |
Madeleine | Walston | PONDEROSA HIGH SCHOOL | 2026 |
Isaac | Dechtman | DENVER SCHOOL OF THE ARTS (HS) | 2026 |
Cooper | Siders | FREDERICK HIGH SCHOOL | 2026 |
Shalom | Richardson | CASTLE VIEW HIGH SCHOOL | 2026 |
Katherine | Quintero Palafox | EAGLECREST HIGH SCHOOL | 2026 |
Gabriel | Levy | AIR ACADEMY HIGH SCHOOL | 2026 |
Eddie | Moore | Severance High School | 2026 |
Leonila | Ramirez | MEAD HIGH SCHOOL | 2027 |
Josiah | Ver Miller | LAKEWOOD HIGH SCHOOL | 2026 |
The Student Leadership Summit is a one-day event that brings together students from across the Colorado Thespians community to attend workshops designed to hone student leadership and advocacy skills.
Students have the opportunity to network with other passionate individuals, learn important skills, and take away strategies for effective leadership in their communities.
The Summit will feature workshops, led by Colorado Thespian Executive Board leaders and professionals in the community that cover a range of topics encompassed by the four Cs of leadership: Competence, Connection, Character, and Culture. Students will also participate in interactive activities and engage in meaningful discussions with their peers.
The Colorado Thespians Leadership Skills Summit is the perfect opportunity to take your student leaders to the next level and make lasting connections within the theater community.
Who is Invited? | Student Leaders within your program (officers, if you have them)
When is the Event | 2027 TBA
Where is the Event? | 2027 Location TBA
What is the Cost? | $100 for up to five student participants| $25 each additional participant (lunch is not provided)
Troupe Directors must register their participants and may attend with their students.
Please have students complete and return the Student Participant Waiver to you prior to beginning your registration.
Registration Opens in October
Schedule of Events (coming soon)
Colorado offers the National Thespys programming, an educational program that offers conference delegates the opportunity to receive constructive feedback on prepared theatrical material and technical designs. The goal for participating students is to receive feedback from industry professionals on their skills, strengths, and weaknesses to grow as theatre artists and individuals. The events culminate in the selection of a showcase cast of selected outstanding entries. The Thespys showcase will be cast with representatives of the highest quality performances, and not all categories may be represented. All participants in the Colorado Thespys must be registered attendees for the conference.
The eligibility requirements and rules regarding Thespys are provided below. Colorado follows National guidelines with some exceptions:
Solo Acting: Both at Colorado and National level conferences, solo acting students may choose to do one monologue or two contrasting monologues.
Attire: Thespys performers and presenters are not required to wear all black. Performers and presenters are encouraged to dress in a way that does not distract the adjudicators from the performance or material.
Thespys are filled on a first-come-first-serve basis. At our in-person conference we are limited by space, time restraints, and adjudicators. Troupe Directors are encouraged to register early for these events. Waiting lists for Thespys exist in the troupe director registration portal.
Please carefully review all the guidelines for Individual Events/Thespys for Colorado (with special attention to Technical Theatre Thespys, Film, and Playwriting Thespys) before registering. Failing to comply with event rules and regulations will not result in financial reimbursement.
Educational Theatre Association Official Thespys Program Guide
Registration for this event must be done through Troupe Director logins in our registration system.
Tech Challenge showcases student skills in six technical theater events. Competing against the clock, participants must complete each event while upholding industry standards. Tech Challenge is a timed event. Materials for this event can be found here.
Tech Challenge is not an ITF Qualifying Event.
New to ThesCon, the Troupe Design Challenge gives student designers the opportunity to build a cohesive design proposal for a play or musical of their choice and showcase it at ThesCon! There’s no limit to the amount of schools who can earn gold, silver, or bronze level design status for their work.