Each region will host an annual Regional Thespy Qualifier in Mid November to Mid December to recognize excellence in theatrical arts and qualify students to the BC PTF - which happens in late-February. Students are not competing against each other in the Thespys - instead they are striving for excellence based on a rubric. Students get adjudicated by two qualified theatre professionals and the scores are averaged. The goal is to not only award excellence but to educate and help all students grow. We try to protect the students and make sure that they have fun experiencing as much live theatre as possible. We send rubrics to the teachers and students after the event. Each regional event is only 1 day long and it consists of an opening ceremony, a closing ceremony, thespy sessions and potentially some workshops throughout the day. Each regional event will develop a slightly different culture and feel. Here are the events in BC followed by the consistent Thespy rules that will be followed in all regions and at all levels (regional, provincial, national & international).
2022 - REGIONAL SCHEDULE & LEADER CONTACTS: Fraser Valley Region Regional Coordinator: Alayne Cheny (ASIA) & Shannon Parker-Bruno (Abbotsford Senior Secondary) Hub City: Abbotsford Host Venue: Matsqui Centennial Auditorium Date: November 18th 2022 Kootenay Region Regional Coordinator: Noel Bullock (Sparwood Secondary) Hub City: Cranbrook Host Venue: Key City Theatre Date: Thursday November 24th 2022
Vancouver Island Region Regional Coordinator: Jeanette Martin (Lambrick Park Secondary) Hub City: Victoria Host Venue: University of Victoria - Phoenix Theatre Date: December 9th 2022
Metro Vancouver Region Regional Coordinators: Mark Rossiter (Fleetwood Park Secondary) Hub City: Vancouver Host Venue: Simon Fraser University Vancouver - Goldcorp Center fo the Arts & Vancouver Film School Date: Tuesday December 13th 2022 9am to 5pm
Northern BC Region Regional Coordinator: Carol Joy Green (Cedars Christian School) Hub City: Prince George Host Venue: Theatre Northwest Date: Wednesday December 14th 2022
BC Interior Region Regional Coordinators: Sarah Gilchrist (Osoyoos Secondary) Hub City: Kamloops, Kelowna or Oliver BC Host Venue: TBD Date: Starting in 2023
STUDENTS HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO PARTICIPATE IN ANY OF THE EVENTS BELOW: International Thespian Excellence Awards (Thespys) --- Student may compete in up to 3 events
Performance - See Thespys Program Guide below for specific requirements.
If a student can receive an averaged Superior or Outstanding score on their Thespy - they will qualify for the BC PTF and win a regional ribbon. Then at BC PTF students that qualify (with a superior performance score on the adjudicated rubric) will be given the opportunity to represent B.C in the International Thespians Festival (ITF) in June.
Students who score an average of Superior on the adjudicated rubric assessments will receive Blue Ribbons and students who score an average of Outstanding on the adjudicated rubric assessments will receive Yellow Ribbons.
Please note the guidelines also include film events that we will not be holding for the 2022 Festival but are hoping to do so in the future.
Please note that no additional forms need to be completed for performance rights. All required Thespy performance information will be submitted with your online registration and verified by our registration team.
Regional Thespy Festival Costs - Students only pay $15.00 for non-thespians and $10.00 for Inducted Thespians to perform and for that cost they can enter up to three different categories at festival. Students who want to come and only watch the action pay $5.00 each.