Arizona Thespians Mainstage Application

The Arizona State Thespian Board recognizes there is a wide variation in the "contemporary community standards" among the Public, Charter, and Private High Schools in the State. Thus the following policy will govern ALL performances at the annual Arizona Thespians Festival, as well as the regional acting festivals which are Sponsored by the Arizona Thespians Board.

No performance will be allowed (Full Length, One Act, Or Individual Event) which is prohibited, or not protected by the First Amendment I.E. "Unprotected speech." A condensed definition of the "Unprotected speech." follows:

A. Material that has content that is "Obscene As To Minors" (under the age of 18) This is defined as the
following:
- Where the average person, applying contemporary community standards, would find that the performance and/or production, taken as a whole, appeals to minors prurient interest
- Where the performance and/or production depicts or describes in a patently offensive way, sexual conduct such as actual or simulated intercorse (normal or deviate), masterbation, excretory functions, and actual lewd exhibition of genitalia
- Where the performance and/or production, taken as whole, lacks serious literary, artistic, political, or scientific values.
B. Material that has content that is defamatory- defined as the depiction of false unprivileged communication about an individual which injures that persons reputation in the community or good name.
C. Material that has content that will cause material and substantial disruption of school activities- defined as school rioting; unlawful seizure or destruction of property; widespread shouting or boisterous conduct; school boycotts ECT.
D. Material that infringes on "seperation of church and state". Under this doctrine certain religious activities, such as proselytizing, have been held up to be unconstitutional if conducted within the context of a school- sponsored activity.

Any troupe wishing to be considered for Arizona Thespians Main stage must complete this form completely.

A. $100.00 Application Fee (Non-Refundable for ANY reason)
B. $150 Adjudication Fee (Non-Refundable for ANY reason)
C. Add mainstage adjudication to your registration. $250

Shows MUST be submitted two weeks before your first performance or a judge will not be assigned to your show.

All shows need to be able to be adjudicated by November 6th, 2026. Final selection of the show will take place at the November 7th, 2026 Arizona Thespians Meeting. The final shows will be notified by November 7th, 2026.

School/Sponsor is responsible to obtain the rights for their performance days at Arizona Thespians Festival and will produce proof if asked by an Arizona Thespian Board Member.

Performance Time (TENTATIVE will be confirmed when selections are made)
Friday Performance

Saturday Performance

Attendance
1. Your school must be attending Arizona Thespian Festival and everyone must be registered.
2.All participants in the mainstage will be required to register for the Arizona Thespian Festival before adjudication. (Ie Actors, Crew, Adult Volunteers, etc.)

Form

To view the adjudication form Click Here. 

A. Main Stage forms will include an Item-by-Item point system, Similar to the NIES Rubric
(4-Superior, 3-Excellent, 2-Good, 1-Poor)
-Theatrical Theatre
- Characterization
- Ensemble
- Musical (if Applicable)
- Interpretations
- Blocking
- Overall Effect of the Production

*Arizona Thespians Reserves the right to NOT send any Adjunction forms to school with feedback till AFTER Arizona Thespian Festival.

Adjudicator Restrictions
1. Judges can not judge at school they have attended or taught at.
2. Refrain from speaking to any judges. Before, During, Or after a production
3. Have Two tickets each night of the performances for the adjudicator. You will not be told what night/who will be attending.

Similar to NIES, the show that has been awarded a main stage slot MUST be substantially the same as presented originally. Examples include

A. If the original show has live musicians, the main stage show must bring live musicians.
B. If the full show was selected, A concert version cannot be substituted.
C. If there are any changes to the casting (Emergency or Otherwise) it must be submitted and approved by the Arizona Thespians Executive Committee prior to the event.
D.The same performance you did for the public needs to be performed at festival for BOTH shows. If the performance changes at festival from, the original performance/judging or is deem inappropriate or unsafe, Arizona Thespians have the right to cut your performance.

Load-in and Strike

You are responsible for all loading-in and striking of your set. If you hauled it in you MUST haul it out. Leaving anything behind will result in a fine from Phoenix Convention Center or Arizona Thespains.

1.You will have 3 hours for load-in
2.You will have 1.15 hour to clear the stage on load out.
3.Sponsors are REQUIRED to be on stage for Load-in and Strike. Sponsors failure to be on stage will result in time lost.
4.The performing school may incur fees for taking any extra time used during load-in and strike.

Auditorium and Stage Specs

1. Stage Rules
   1. No one is allowed to jump off the stage. You will have stairs stage left and right.
   2. No food or drink is on stage at anytime. You can have water with twist on lid
   3. There is no screwing or painting on the stage
   4. No fog, haze, or open flame AT ALL. Failure to follow this rule could result in being asked to leave.
   5. Any damages to the stage, equipment or facility by the school will result in the school being charged to repair or replace.
2. Loading Dock
   1. You are in an idustrial loading dock. Renting a dock height truck will help with time and create a safe working enviroment. 
   2. This is a fully functioning dock and trucks are coming and going. Your kids and volunteer must remain in your area and there is no horsing around.
3. Scenery
   1. All scenery will come off the truck on to a freight elevator, off the elevator thru double doors, down a sevice hallway, through another set of double doors and on the stage.
   2. No screwing in to the stage. You will need to bring sand bags and stage weights,
   3. No scenary can be hung
4. Stage Specs
   1. The stage is 52' wide 24' deep and 4' tall
   2.  There is No fly loft, No act curtain, No legs, No barders, No travelers, No cyc, and No Electric.
   3. There is no apron
   4. You will have two pipe and drapped areas as wings stage left and right. They are down on the ground not up on the deck.
5. Booth
   1. Will be down on the floor
   2. Lights and sound will be run from the booth
6. Lights
   1. You will have basic front light with LED fixtures
   2. The console will be an ETC console
7. Sound
   1. Sound will be a digital Console
   2. You will need to have all sound effects on a laptop
   3. 12 Lavs, 2 Handhelds are provided
      1. You can bring your owner mics to suppliment. BUT down town phoenix is extremly busy on frequencies. Just because it works ar your school doesnt mean it will work down town. 
8. Dressing Rooms
   1. Dressing rooms will be two pipe and drapped areas down the hall
      1. You will need to bring your own mirrors for hair and make up
      2. You will be reposible to any damage done to the dressing rooms
   2. You will have access to a private bathroom
9. Crew
   1. Your students will run the show and be on the consoles.
      1. We will provide any AV tech to help, supervise, and answer any questions
      2. A student disrespecting or inablity to follow the direction and rules can result in your school being asked to leave.

Quick Notes 

• Applications are due two weeks before your 1st Performance night; otherwise, a judge will not be provided.
• NO PERFORMANCE CAN BE ADJUDICATED BEFORE 5 pm
• Only request adjudication essentially completed show- dress/tech rehearsal, or final performance night. It should be performed in full costume at the actual venue. The State Board will not consider shows that aren’t fully realized, and they do not evaluate based on potential.
• Arizona Thespians will NOT inform the director/school when the judges will be present.
• I will have tickets available every night of the performance in the ticket office under Arizona Thespians for adjudicators to claim.
• I will NOT introduce my adjudicators to Cast, Crew, Parents, Audience, Admin. ECT.
• I understand Arizona Thespians will choose the performance day if the school is chosen.
• If you cancel a performance, I will contact Scott Willis immediately. Arizona Thespians does not guarantee judges if show dates change.
• The adjudication fee is Non-Refundable under any circumstance as soon as this application is submitted.
• I will email Scott six set photos before the selection meeting noted above. This is EXTREMELY impotant this year. I will not come hunting them down. So please make sure you get them in so we can vet shows properly Scott.Willis@ArizonaThespians.com

You will need to remember to add Mainstage to your registration. If you forget, we will add it to your invoice. Remember, once an application is submmited there is NO REFUNDS.
Registration Portal (Click Here)