SAVE THE DATE
THESFEST 2026!
December 5th, 2026!
The Tennessee Educational Theatre Association is excited to welcome students and educators back for the third annual ThesFest! What began in 2024 as an event for Williamson County students has grown into a statewide celebration of middle school theatre.
ThesFest is Tennessee’s official State Thespian Jr. Conference, bringing middle school theatre students together for a full day of performances, workshops, adjudications, and opportunities to connect, create, learn, and shine. We’re proud to continue growing this experience and creating meaningful opportunities for the next generation of Tennessee theatre artists.
What To Expect at Thesfest!
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Workshops
ThesFest 2026 offers a full day of hands-on workshops led by professional theatre artists and educators from across the region. Students will dive into everything from acting techniques, stage management, and directing to scenic painting, dance, and design—and so much more. Whether you're onstage or behind the scenes, there’s something for everyone to learn, explore, and enjoy!
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Adjudications
ThesFest 2026 offers an exciting educational opportunity for students to receive constructive feedback from professional Teaching Artists through our adjudication program. This experience celebrates student work both onstage and behind the scenes—whether performing a prepared piece or showcasing technical designs.
In addition to receiving personalized feedback, select students will also have the opportunity to perform or present their work for the entire festival audience, highlighting excellence and creativity in Tennessee’s middle school theatre community. It’s a chance to grow, be recognized, and shine on a larger stage!
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One-Act Performance Opportunity
Bring your students’ work to the ThesFest stage! Schools are invited to submit a recorded One-Act Play for the opportunity to be selected to perform live at ThesFest. Selected productions will present their show using a standardized set of scenic, prop, costume, lighting, and technical resources—creating an exciting challenge that encourages creativity while providing an equitable performance experience for every school.
Submission Deadline: October 28
Acceptance Notification: November 13
Know Before You Go
We're excited to bring you a jam-packed day of top-notch theatre training and experiences led by industry professionals and passionate educators. Students will take part in engaging workshops, showcase performances, and connect with other young theatre enthusiasts from across Tennessee.
Important to know:
Registration is open August 11 – October 28, 2026. Space is limited, so register early — registrations submitted after the deadline are not guaranteed a slot.
A $40 registration fee applies per student, covering festival programming and instruction.
Adjudication is available for students who want feedback on an individual performance or technical work. There's an additional adjudication fee of $20 for one category, or $30 for two.
Registration is handled by your school's teacher or troupe director — talk to them if you'd like to attend.
New this year: Schools can submit a recorded One-Act Play for the chance to perform live at ThesFest, using a standardized set of resources for an equitable performance experience across schools. Submissions are due October 28, with selected schools notified by November 13.
Get ready for an unforgettable day of creativity, collaboration, and celebration — ThesFest is where Tennessee's middle school theatre community comes to shine!
One Act Performance
Bring your students' work to the ThesFest stage! Schools are invited to submit a recorded One-Act Play for the opportunity to be selected to perform live at ThesFest. Selected production(s) will present their show using a standardized set of scenic, prop, costume, lighting, and technical resources — creating an exciting challenge that encourages creativity while providing an equitable performance experience for every school.
Submission Deadline: October 28, 2026
Acceptance Notification: November 13, 2026
Learn more about eligibility, submission requirements, and how to get involved.
FAQs
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Yes! We are not requiring schools to be part of an ITS troupe. We encourage each school to learn more about how EdTA is working to support theatre programs across the country! For more information on starting a Troupe at your school visit: https://schooltheatre.org/thespian-troupe-membership/
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All students must attend with their school and the troupe director/ school sponsor.
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Not entirely on their own — registration has to go through their school. A teacher or troupe director must first register the school in the portal. Only then can they share a unique registration link with their students. Without that link from their school, a student has no way to access the portal or register at all.
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Once your roster is complete, generate your invoice directly in the registration portal — it's no longer sent out separately. The invoice shows one itemized total covering everything: student registration fees, adjudication fees, and any adult fees combined, so there's just one payment to make, not separate payments for registration and adjudication.
You can pay by check or credit card, whichever is easier for your school. Payment must be received or postmarked by November 20, 2026 — after that date, schools without payment on file will not be able to participate.
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Tennessee Educational Theatre Association (TN EDTA)
2000 Mallory Ln STE 290-1411 Franklin, TN 37067 -
ThesFest is an experience unlike any other and a memory that will last a lifetime! Students have the rare opportunity to train with leading professionals in drama, musical theatre, directing, playwriting, and technical theatre. In addition, ThesFest allows theatre lovers from across the state to network and learn from one another in a one of a kind way!
For educators and Troupe directors, you’ll also participate in workshops with leading industry professionals, network with fellow theatre educators from across the state, and be offered the chance to experience the work of your peers where schedules and distance might otherwise prohibit.
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The registration fee is $40, which covers a full day of ThesFest programming—workshops, performances, lunch, and all festival activities led by professional teaching artists.
Additional Fees:
$20 – First adjudication entry
$10 – Second adjudication entry (if applicable)
These fees help us bring in high-quality teaching artists and adjudicators and allow us to expand ThesFest to middle school students across the entire state.