Send an email anytime to get started!  Email Kristin kdm5182@psu.edu

Why Should I Join?

There are many reasons to join Thespians, but the best one can be summed up in this sentence: “You come for the theatre, and stay for the people” (Nick Mittereder, VP ’09-’10). The Penn State Thespians, the oldest continually run student organization on campus, produce two main-stage musicals a year in Schwab Auditorium. In addition to these two endeavors, we also produce two smaller plays per year through our Children’s Show committee, which we adapt ourselves from children’s books and comics, and are mainly pledge* oriented. We also do a charity show every Spring titled MasquerAIDS, which is comes from a committee with the same name and can be anything from a play to a musical review, where all of the proceeds do to the Centre County AIDS Project.

*As a Thespians disclaimer, we use the term “pledge” to characterize those individuals who are joining our club. We in no way partake in anything related to Greek society, nor do we condone any actions used associated with this vernacular. We simply use the term because it very easily means “a person joining an organization”. By this same token, the Vice President of the club serves as “Pledge Master” to help guide the pledges through their joining process. Thespians also engages in a “Big and Little” system, where pledges are assigned a Big from an active member of the club who, in addition to the Pledge Master, serve as an automatic contact and source of information within the club.

Outside of the stage, Thespians has a number of other opportunities for involvement through our number of club committees. The Children’s Show committee handles everything related to their production; choosing which shows to perform, writing the script, etc. MasquerAIDS committee handles the same processed as Children’s Show with their production, choosing a show and director, marketing their show, etc. Marketing committee handles all of the business aspects of our main stage productions. While they dabble with the previous two committees in helping to advertise their shows, the main stage shows are their bread and butter. This committee handles everything from generating press releases, to contacting media and campus outlets, fielding questions about the productions, finding new and unique ways to market the shows, and as our advisor Jerry Henry says, handles all aspects of “getting butts in the seats.” THON committee handles everything related to that event, from planning canning trips and picking dancers, to getting the club involved in THON activities. Fundraising is a relatively new committee, tasked with bring alternative income into the organization for uses outside of our main stage performances. Activities committee keeps us involved in all aspects of Penn State and local life, from planning basketball and Frisbee games, to nights at Applebee’s, movie nights at members apartments, and whatever else we can think of to keep members involved and having fun outside of our shows.

One of the biggest points about Thespians and the pledging process that is overlooked is that fact that there is virtually no separation between pledges and members. While pledges cannot vote at general meetings, or hold executive or chair positions, that can do almost everything else! Pledges don’t do the members dirty work, or the tasks that members don’t want to do. The organization really is a family, and we welcome anybody who wants to join our organization, and get involved as much as they want.

After reading all of this, I know you’re excited about Thespians and all that we have to offer. Contact the pledge master to find out when meetings are, and more information about how to join.

Have questions about Thespians?

Send an email anytime!  Email Kristin kdm5182@psu.edu