The International Thespian Society (ITS) is an honor society for those most active in the theatrical world. It is a program open to any high school student who participates in theater, from going to shows to helping backstage to acting. 

Xavier’s theater teacher, Sarah White, said, “Much like the Spanish [or any other] Honor Society, it’s just like that but for thespians.” 

According to White, one can get into this honor society in a variety of ways. “Doing shows, working shows, going to see shows,” White says are the three main avenues.

This society is run on a point system. The more active someone is the more points they earn and these points eventually add up to stars. According to the International Thespian Society website, one point is equivalent to ten hours of “excellent work.” After one is inducted, stars are earned for every ten additional points. 

Stella Chamoff, a junior at Xavier, has an impressive amount of points. “Last year, I reached five stars,” said Chamoff, “I am super close to earning the Honor Thespian Award.” This particular award is earned when an inductee reaches sixty points, or six stars.  

Chamoff has been a long-standing member of the theater community. According to her, she has been doing theater since she was 10 years old, and was even a member of the Junior Thespian Society in elementary school. The Junior Thespian Society is one run by the International Thespian Society that is available to those in grades sixth through eighth. 

Another student heavily involved in ITS at Xavier is junior Gabriela Duarte. Duarte is an ITS representative. “It is my job to help induct people into ITS,” she said. “I tell them the process they need to complete and remind members to submit their hours.”  

Similar to Chamoff, Duarte became a member of the International Thespian Society freshman year. Duarte says she later became a representative for the society in order to be able to encourage her peers to join. 

Both students agreed that ITS has created an environment that honors young thespians and their hard work and dedication to the arts. 

Duarte said, “It is incredibly difficult to put on a show and ITS recognizes and rewards students’ achievements.” 

White characterized the honor society as “one for everyone. It’s just people who are involved and love theater.” 

Both Duarte and White encourage students to take the leap and join the society, as it is something that they could only benefit from. 

“ITS provides a sense of community and I believe that it helps thespians grow in their confidence and their craft,” Duarte said.