The Annual New York Thespian Festival is a highly anticipated event that takes place over the course of one to two days. This gathering brings together middle and high school students, as well as their dedicated teachers, to immerse themselves in the world of theatre. The festival offers a plethora of enriching opportunities, including engaging workshops, captivating performances, and thought-provoking presentations. One of the highlights of the festival is the Thespys, previously known as I.E.s, which provide a platform for students to showcase their exceptional talent in individual or group events. These performances are evaluated by seasoned professionals in the industry, ensuring that each participant receives valuable and personalized feedback. Furthermore, the festival offers students the chance to apply for various programs and scholarships, providing them with invaluable support as they pursue their theatrical dreams. Additionally, students can seize the opportunity to network with college representatives and explore potential pathways for their future academic and artistic endeavors. For those who achieve the status of an inducted Thespian, an exciting opportunity awaits as they become eligible to apply for the role of State Thespian Officer. These positions grant students the chance to develop initiatives, run leadership programs, advocate for educational theater, and influence arts decision-makers throughout the state of New York. The Annual New York Thespian Festival is a celebration of artistic excellence and a launching pad for the next generation of theatrical talents.
NY THESPIAN FESTIVAL 2026: HamilTEN!
REGISTRATION:
EARLY BIRD: Dec 1- Feb 15
REGULAR REGISTRATION: Jan 10 - Mar 6
HOTEL:
Use the following links to get a discounted rate on your hotel.
DATE:
April 25 - 26, 2026
LOCATION:
Hofstra University, 1000 Hempstead Tpke, Hempstead, NY 11549
General Information
Are you attending festival? It is highly recommended you refer to
the guides below!
Thespys
Performing in a Thespy or want to learn about them? Register on OpenWater and use the resources below to prepare.
All-State Musical
Interested in participating in the All-State Musical as a singer or dancer?
Sign up for an audition now by February 20.
Workshops
Interested in hosting a workshop at festival?
Fill out the form below.
Adjudication
Are you a theatre professional interested in adjudicating Thespians?
Sign up below.
Sponsorship
Interested in sponsoring the festival?
Fill out the form by March 15th.
FAQs
Festival
-
Thespian Festival is a two-day celebration of theater in the state of NY. Students and teachers gather to participate in workshops, events, advocacy, recognition, performances, and competitions. It is an opportunity to learn skills, advocate, make friends, showcase talent, share resources, problem-solve, and celebrate theater education.
-
Thespys are a series of optional theatrical events where students showcase their theatrical skills in performance, technical theater, and/or film. There are 25 categories!
Thespys are adjudicated by 2-3 qualified evaluators who provide written feedback based on rubrics that can be found on the Thespys website. All Thespians who receive a Superior rating are recognized at Closing Ceremony and are eligible to participate in National Thespys, whether in-person or virtually. Non-Thespians will receive written feedback, but are ineligible for awards.
At the NY Thespian Festival, students can participate in up to three Thespys (live or virtually), as long as they are different categories. NY Thespians tries to ensure that all similar Thespys are adjudicated in the same room (for example, one room might be acting Thespys). Thespys are not a ranking. Therefore, anyone participating in any Thespy is eligible to receive a Superior rating.
New this year - all Thespys must be registered on Open Water and be listed on the “approved material” list.
You may view examples of Thespys on the main Thespy website and selecting a category.
-
In the past, NY Thespians has provided lunch. However, due to the rising cost of catering and the number of dietary restrictions and individual needs of schools/groups, we now offer lunch as an add-on. Snacks at a designated time are the only food provided to student attendees.
There is an optional $15 add-on for a meal in the Hofstra cafeteria, which follows strict guidelines for food preparation and cross-contamination to ensure all food is properly labeled and suitable for attendees needs. Groups are also welcome to bring their own lunches, order in, or visit nearby restaurants.
There is a hospitality room with snacks and light food items for adult attendees that is open throughout Festival.
-
Yes, Troupe Directors may attend without students for $25. Other adults/chaperones from a Thespian/Jr. Thespian school/group may attend for $50. Non-Thespian affiliated adults are $70.
Solo adults may fully attend and participate in our adult-only workshops and may quietly observe student workshops. If a Troupe Director wants to visit a Thespy room, we kindly ask that you stay for at least two Thespy presentations and leave in between to minimize nerves in the room.
-
No, you may not attend as an independent student. You must attend with your Troupe Director and Troupe. Another adult representative from your school (teacher, administrator, etc.) may also serve as the lead chaperone if the Troupe Director is unavailable.
-
Only adults can attend as observers. We expect student attendees to be fully immersed in Festival weekend.
-
The Educational Theatre Association (EdTA) is the parent organization of NY Thespians. Each state has it’s own Chapter, and every Chapter has Troupes (schools or groups who have a charter membership in the International Thespian/Jr. Thespian Society). Most states hold their own Festivals, where Troupes and non-chartered groups participate in theatrical workshops and events.
EdTA hosts the International Thespian Festival (ITF) in June, in which Thespians from across the country participate. In order to qualify for Thespys at ITF, Thespians must participate and receive a Superior rating in a qualifier event. For NY Thespians, that means presenting a Thespy live at the NY Thespian Festival or virtually. Find out more by visiting the Thespys website
Registration
-
There are a few discounts, most of which are automatically applied during registration. First, there is a $20 discount if an attendee is a Thespian or Junior Thespian. Second, if you register by February 15th, there is a $20 early-bird discount. Third, if it is an attendee’s first time attending Festival, there is a $5 discount. Fourth, if your group is performing a one-act because they placed in the NY Thespians Fall One-Act Competition, each performer and technician who is involved in the show receives a $20 discount via special code. Fifth, if your school/group has any STO (State Thespian Officers), you were emailed a code for $10 off of up to 10 registrations in honor of our HamilTEN! theme!!!
-
The NY Thespian Festival is designed to be two days, with many activities and opportunities that build off each other. However, NY Thespians understands that there may be special circumstances in which not all attendees from a school/group will be able to attend both days. In this special case, we ask that Troupe Directors and/or lead chaperones let us know the names of attendees who will be leaving early and/or arriving late. We do, however, expect that the majority of any Troupe/group attends both days. Unfortunately, due to the nature of this event, there are no discounts for people who are only able to attend one of the two days.
Note that the schedule allows for groups to leave as early as 4:15pm each day if needed. This is not recommended, but definitely allows for more flexibility without too much disruption to the experience. Again, there are no discounts if a group is leaving early.
Transportation
-
NY Thespians has arranged for free yellow school buses to shuttle groups to and from Hampton Inn Garden City. We will schedule a designated time for your group to be transported once we have gathered everyone’s travel plans. Your group has up to THREE opportunities to travel. The yellow bus shuttles will pick up groups FROM the hotel Saturday morning and bring them TO Hofstra for registration, pick up groups FROM Hofstra at the end of activities Saturday evening and bring them TO the hotel, and pick up groups FROM the hotel Sunday morning and bring them TO Hofstra for the final day of Festival.
-
There is a free shuttle from two LIRR stations to Hofstra University. Please check Hofstra’s shuttle schedule (also included in the 2026 info packet) for details.
-
Parking is free on campus in designated spots. There is a large parking lot next to one of the main buildings we will be using for workshops. We will send the exact location (with photos!) in a follow-up packet. You may park vans and cars in this space. There will be some space for buses in this same lot. If parking fills up, people may be dropped off in this lot and drivers will be directed to additional parking in an adjacent lot. There will be someone from NY Thespians directing groups. Everyone who pulls into the parking in the lot will receive a free parking placard from NY Thespians to use for the duration of the weekend.