The Send a Troupe to Thespian Festival 2015 Grant was created with donations from many generous supporters. The goal was to raise enough money so that a Missouri Thespian troupe would have the opportunity to attend the MST State Conference, held each January. There, the troupe will join more than 2,000 students and teachers from across the state in seeing exceptional performances on the Conference main stage, participate in workshops and other events, and can elect to audition for college admission and scholarships.
In 2015, one current Missouri Thespian troupe, who has either never previously attended the MST Conference (preference given to) or one which has not attended with the current troupe sponsor in the last 20 years that can demonstrate financial barriers to attending, will receive a one-time grant to cover the basic registration fees for a teacher, up to 8inducted Thespians, and 1 chaperone plus housing and meal plan costs. A Thespian Troupe Director with the help of inducted thespians and administration should submit this application.
This grant’s judging committee may choose not to award the grant if, in their opinion, there are no applicants which meet the criteria.
Grant criteria
•At the time of application, the Thespian troupe must be current in their troupe dues to the EdTA home office and “in good standing.”
•All troupes members applying cannot have attended the MST Conference in the past.
•All troupes applying must be able to demonstrate financial barriers to attending the Conference.
•All troupes applying must be able to articulate how the troupe and their community will benefit from the experience.
•All students listed on the application must be inducted Thespians prior to Sept 30, 2015.
Application requirements
•A list of the inducted Thespians being brought to the MST Conference if selected.
•A count of total adults being brought. (Including troupe director, chaperone(s), bus driver if applicable)
•A letter of recommendation from an administrator (principal, school board member, or department head) supporting the financial barriers experienced by the troupe towards attending the conference.
Grant application submission checklist
•Application form
•Troupe travel form
•Question form
•Administrator’s statement of support form
•Application must be received at the MST Home Office (see website) by Oct 15, 2015.
What the Grant covers (financially)
•Troupe registration ($25)
•Basic Registration for up to 8 Thespians ($680), 1 Sponsor ($0) and 1 Chaperone ($40)
•Up to 3 Hotel Rooms for 2 nights ($775) (Thursday and Friday nights)
•5 Meal plan for up to 8 students, 1 Sponsor, and 1 Chaperone ($800)
What the Grant does not cover
•Transportation to and from the conference site
•Fees for special conference events: Scholarships, Individual Events, Tech Challenge, Improv Olympix, 6 in 60, ect.
•Additional registrations, hotel rooms/nights, parking passes, or meal plans
(Although you may certainly bring more than the grant allows for if expenses allow)
Troupes that win the grant will be notified by Oct 30. At that time the troupe will be given additional materials to submit including Health and Consent Forms, Codes of Conduct, and any other forms to complete their registration.
I, , am applying for the Send a Troupe to Missouri State Thespian Conference Grant on behalf of the following Thespian troupe for the 2016 State Conference.
Troupe number Thespian Troupe Director
Troupe director’s phone numberTroupe Director’s email
High schoolPrincipal’s name
School addressPrincipal's email
School phone numberSchool city, Zip or postal code
By signing this form, I support our troupe’s pursuit of this grant and can verify that our Thespian troupe has never attended the Missouri State Thespian Conference or has not attended with the current troupe sponsor in the last 20 years in the past. I also give my permission to duplicate this application for review by the grant’s judging committee.
Troupe director’s signatureDate
Number of Thespians in the troupe: ______
Please list the names of the Thespians who will be travelling to the MST Conference if your troupe is selected to receive this grant. All students must be registered as inducted Thespians as of Sept 30. If you are bringing additional Thespians (beyond the 8 covered by the grant), please attach a paper with the additional names/info.
Name/Nickname / Thespian Membership # / T-Shirt Size(S-4XL) / Room #
1
1
1
1
2
2
2
2
Please list the name(s) of the adults who will be travelling with the above students to the MST Conference if your troupe is selected to receive this grant. It is recommended that at least 1 adult travel with every 10 students.
Name / Thespian Alumni? (Y/N) / T-Shirt Size (S-4XL) / Room #3
3
Please type your answers to all questions below. Attach up to 1 separate sheet of paper if necessary.
1. What are the financial barriers to participating in the Conference faced by your Thespian troupe? Please provide examples such as % of students who qualify for a free/reduced price lunch program, information about your program or troupe budget, or any other facts or figures that demonstrate financial barriers.
2. Tell us more about your Thespian troupe. For example, describe your theatre program and troupe activities, community and philanthropy involvement, production/season, course offering, etc.
3. Diversity has many different definitions. Please tell us what makes your troupe diverse.
4. Whatlong-term benefits will your Thespians and troupe gain from this experience?
5. How will your school and community benefit from this experience?
All information within this application will be held in strict confidence by MST and will be copied and distributed only to the members of the grant committee.
Administrator: Please type your statement of support below, using standard letter format. Use the space below. You may attach up to 1 additional page. Please evaluate any barriers that this Thespian troupe, or any of its members, may have in attending the Missouri State Thespian State Conference. Please return this form to the Thespian Troupe Director to be mailed with the troupe’s grant application.
______
Administrator’s signatureTitle Date
All information within this application will be held in strict confidence by MST and will be copied and distributed only to the members of the grant committee.