Registration Reminders/Updates

• Thespys are being registered directly in OpenWater this year. (More info below.) Students must be registered for the festival in the “Colorado” system first, and then you can register their Thespy(s) in OpenWater.

• When registering a Thespy, the application must be started by Nov. 14th, but you can save it and come back (to attach a video etc.) and finalize/submit by Nov. 21st.

• If you landed a spot to bring a One Act to festival, the fee has now been added to your registration. It should appear at the bottom of your tally, under “Services”. Here is the link to submit final approval documentation, show info, etc.

• College/Scholarship Auditions will also be through OpenWater, but are still being programmed. They will also have a Nov. 21st deadline.

• The STOs have curated a document with Troupe Event rules. Please note that Tech Challenge will be run during the same timeslot as Improv, and the other four Troupe Events will be run in a separate timeslot.

Thespys

• The OpenWater applications are ready for Performance and Tech Thespys. The Playwriting and Short-Film categories should now also be showing on the landing page.

• Remember that all Thespy applications must be started by NOV 14th, but that the deadline for videos to be uploaded and final submission is NOV 21st.

• Directors please be aware that when you are registering a Performance Thespy selection in open water, you will have three options regarding approval.

  -The piece is on the Pre-Approved List - and you will find it by first selecting the Publisher and then selecting the production name from a given list.

  -Indicating that the piece is in the Public Domain

  -IF the piece you would like to perform is not on the Pre-Approved List or in the Public Domain, you must Request Approval to use it:

  NOTE: entering the piece in OpenWater does NOT constitute a request. The Request Form is on the EdTA website and is submitted to EDTA. It is likely that Maryland Thespians will never see or receive any status of your request. On a case by case basis, EDTA will reach out to the appropriate publisher or estate and make the request on your behalf, provide information on the circumstances of the use, and then come back to you. In short, we are being warned that it could be a lengthy process.

  A selection that is not on the pre-approved list will be considered ineligible during festival until otherwise advised by EdTA. If approval is denied, the piece will also not be eligible for ITF.

• Please reach out to thespys@marylandthespians.org if you have any questions.

Festival Deadlines:

• Festival Dates: January 23-24, 2026

  • JUNIOR Festival: January 22, 2026

• Registration Closes: November 14, 2025

• All Thespys (including Tech) must also register in the Open Water system by November 14, 2025

  • Tech Thespys will continue to be LIVE at the festival (but still need to be registered in Open Water by November 14, 2025.)

• Thespy Video Submissions Due: November 21, 2025

• College Auditions and Senior Thespian Scholarship Applications are also Due: November 21, 2025

• MainStage Adjudications conclude: December 1st, 2025

  • MainStage Invitation: December 5th, 2025

Areas we need help in:

Please contact us if you have any questions, or if you have an interest in helping out!  Not all parts of festival require you to be on the Board and to attend Monthly meetings etc. 

• Registration / Festival Logistics

• JR Festival Committee

• Asst. STO Coordinator