Expanding diversity within the student leadership of the International Thespian Society is at the forefront of priorities for student representatives of the organization. The 2018-19 class of International Thespian Officers proposed creating a grant to enable more diverse candidates to participate in the student leadership track traditionally offered at the International Thespian Festival (ITF).
Their proposal was eagerly adopted, and Broadway Licensing stepped up as a sponsor, enabling Thespians traditionally underrepresented in student leadership ― and who have experience in diversity-based leadership, service, and social justice activities ― to participate.
Seven high school Thespians received inaugural grants allowing them to attend Virtual ITF free of charge and participate in the leadership training.
After participating in the highly interactive leadership sessions at the groundbreaking virtual Thespian event, three Thespians who were graduating seniors (Marissa Barker and Caleb Mosley of Texas and Tavis Cunningham of North Carolina) shared with Dramatics.org how what they learned will affect their future leadership work in this special coverage.
These graduates and the four Thespian grant winners still in high school are already leaders in their worlds. Get to know them better in one-on-one conversations. Here are five questions with:
To learn more about our commitment to these efforts, read the EdTA statement on diversity and inclusion.
