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What We Do

Committed to the Arts

NJ Thespians is the state chapter of the Educational Theatre Association (EdTA), which sponsors the International Thespian Society (ITS).  It is our mission to promote, strengthen, and advocate for theatre arts education in New Jersey’s schools.

 

EdTA is a national nonprofit organization with approximately 90,000 student and professional members. EdTA’s mission is shaping lives through theatre education by: honoring student achievement in theatre and enriching their theatre education experience; supporting teachers by providing professional development, networking opportunities, resources, and recognition; and influencing public opinion that theatre education is essential and builds life skills.

 

The International Thespian Society is the Educational Theatre Association’s student honorary organization. ITS recognizes the achievements of high school and middle school theatre students. Since 1929, EdTA has inducted more than 2 million Thespians into ITS. That number continues to grow, with more than 36,000 students from around the country being inducted each year.

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Mission and Vision

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Mission

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Vision

New Jersey Thespians is committed to creating a welcoming community of skilled theater artists. Our primary goal is to provide opportunities for students and educators to develop their skills, learn from professionals and peers, and collaborate while upholding the art of theater in all its forms.  New Jersey Thespians is an affiliate organization of the Educational Theatre Association, home of the International Thespian Society and Educational Theatre Foundation.

New Jersey Thespians is dedicated to providing high-quality theatre programming for students and educators throughout the state, region, and nation. Our vision is to inspire and empower the next generation of theatre artists and educators by fostering creativity, collaboration, and a lifelong love of the performing arts.

EDTA CORE VALUES

People Matter

  • Every individual has the opportunity to make a difference.

  • Take care of yourself and your colleagues.

  • Cultivate each person's skills, strengths, and talents.

  • Be respectful, considerate, and honest with each other.

Work Together

  • The best ideas, performance, and results come through collaboration.

  • Focus on the objective and challenge ideas, not people. 

  • Be kind, assertive, and supportive, even when there is disagreement.

  • Support the final decision. 

Strive for Excellence

  • Define success.

  • Be open to and embrace positive change.

  • Look outside the walls of EdTA. Learn and document new ways to do things better. 

  • Take risks - turn both successes and failures into lessons learned. 

Be the Person You Want to Work With

  • Celebrate individuality and honor diversity.

  • Engage fully. 

  • Bring joy and optimism to your work.

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