FAQ

Start with your school’s theatre teacher or troupe director, who will coordinate your school’s participation. Directors should visit the Registration section of the festival website for instructions, deadlines, and required materials.

Visit the Registration section for current festival fees. Your school may also collect funds for transportation, hotel accommodations, meals, or other school-specific expenses. Your troupe director can provide your school’s total cost and payment deadlines.

The 2026 Arizona State Thespian Festival takes place November 18th–19th at the Phoenix Convention Center in downtown Phoenix. This year we are in the North and West building. Join us as we celebrate 50 years of Arizona Thespians! Check the final festival program for activity locations and arrival instructions.

Both Thespian and non-Thespian registration options are available. Contact your school’s theatre teacher or troupe director about attending with your school.

Yes. Register yourself in the portal as the troupe director. Your school and all attending participants, including troupe directors and chaperones, must be registered. Registering students does not automatically register the adults accompanying them.

Update each student’s Thespian induction date in the portal before submitting yourHow much does it cost to attend? registration. This information determines the student’s registration rate. Verify that all rates are correct before clicking Submit.

No. Clicking Submit in the registration portal makes your registration final. No changes can be made after submission. Carefully review all participant information and registration selections before submitting.

No refunds will be issued after invoices have been issued. Please review your school’s registration carefully before submitting.

No. All students must be with a current Thespian Troupe in or to attend.

Contact your troupe director, school chaperone, or a festival staff member. They can help you locate the appropriate support. In an emergency, call 911 and alert a nearby adult or festival staff member.

Review the registration information and your school’s travel plan for meal arrangements. Ask your troupe director which meals are covered and whether you should bring money for food.

Wear comfortable clothing and shoes suitable for walking and participating in theatre workshops, and follow the festival dress code. Bring a refillable water bottle, a notebook, and any materials required for your scheduled activities. Check with your director for school-specific packing instructions and any performance attire you may need.

All chaperones and adult attendees must be background checked before attending the festival. Review the Background Checks section of the festival website for instructions and requirements.

The festival is closed to unregistered visitors, including for performances. Everyone attending must be registered for the event.

There are two bus drop-off locations in front of the Phoenix Convention Center’s North Building. Please follow your school’s arrival instructions and directions from event staff.

Troupe directors should follow the instructions in the Hotel Information section. School hotel reservations are not complete until both the required hotel portal submission and the Arizona Thespians hotel Google Form have been completed. Please review student names and room assignments carefully before submitting.

The festival brings students together to explore theatre through workshops, performances, and opportunities to connect with colleges, exhibitors, and fellow theatre students. Visit the Festival Opportunities section for this year’s offerings and any separate application requirements.

There are opportunities for students interested in technical theatre, design, stage management, and other behind-the-scenes careers, as well as performance. Check the workshop listings to explore sessions that match your interests.

The final schedule is still being developed. Visit Schedule & Program for updates. Any sample schedule is a planning guide and is subject to change.

No- if there is a special workshop- participation instructions will be shared with the final schedule. Review individual listings for any registration requirements, capacity limits, or materials to bring.

Visit the college, exhibitor, and vendor sections of the festival website for participation details and updates. Review any application or preparation requirements before the event.

Recognize an outstanding theatre educator by completing the Teacher of the Year nomination form. You can also find it under Forms and Documents on the festival page.

Teacher of the Year nomination form

Students and families should begin with their school’s theatre teacher or troupe director for questions about school payments, transportation, supervision, and room assignments. For festival-wide questions, contact contact@arizonathespians.com.