2026 MARYLAND THESPIAN FESTIVAL
MAIN STAGE SERIES
Application Deadline: October 1st
Performance Deadline: All shows must be adjudicated by Sunday, December 1st
Notification: Once all productions have been screened, we’ll notify those invited to perform on the Main Stage by December 5th
Registration Forms Needed: Principal Permission Form, Proof of License, Synopsis, Cast & Crew List
Participants: Registered Troupes & Delegates
Contact: production@marylandthespians.org
APPLICATION & ADJUDICATION FEE
Troupe Directors must submit a Main Stage Series Application along with a non-refundable $175 adjudication fee. Troupe Directors must pay this fee via credit card regardless of selection outcome and before scheduling an adjudicator to attend your production. Within the application process, Troupe Directors will also be asked to upload a signed Principal Permission Form, proof of licensing and/or cutting, along with a cast and crew list.
Download the Principal Permission form.
ADJUDICATION PROCESS & FEEDBACK
A panel of two to three adjudicators will evaluate productions based on the Educational Theatre Association’s Main Stage adjudication rubrics for musicals and/or plays, respectively, depending on the genre of the production. (These rubrics can be found on the ITF Main Stage webpage.) The Maryland Chapter Director will share the full rubric, with an overall score, written feedback, and the names of the two students honored as outstanding performers with each Troupe Director once the adjudication is complete. Regarding written feedback, Troupe Directors will receive a single rubric that represents a numerical average of the three adjudicator’s scores and the combination of all adjudicator feedback. This is to ensure both confidentiality, equity, and fairness. Please note that adjudicators will not provide verbal feedback and are not available for comment pre or post-adjudication. For in-person adjudications, all adjudicators are instructed to leave the theatre promptly following the performance without comment.
SEAT RESERVATIONS
For in-person adjudications, Troupe Directors should plan to provide a minimum of eleven tickets for the adjudicators at no cost. The adjudicators will use three seats, and the additional tickets will be used to ensure the seats in front, behind, and to either side of the adjudicator’s seats are also left open. Since the adjudicators may be utilizing small lighting devices or electronic devices on their dimmest settings, we want to ensure we don’t disrupt other audience members. Troupe Directors should assign these seats or reserve these seats in advance. Seats should offer the adjudicators the best vantage point of your production.
SELECTION PROCESS
Once all productions have been screened, we’ll notify the program invited to perform on the Main Stage by December 5. Selection criteria will include a variety of factors including but not limited to:
Achieving among the highest scores according to the main stage adjudication rubric;
Promoting diversity, inclusion, and cultural competency in the cast, crew, director, playwright, and/or the subject matter of the work.
INVITED PRODUCTION REQUIREMENTS
The production presented at the Maryland Thespian Festival must be substantially the same production presented during adjudication. If the production submitted for adjudication included live musicians, the production presented at the Maryland Thespian Festival must bring live musicians. Schools may not substitute concert versions for full-scale productions if the adjudicated performance was a full-scale production. Any changes to casting (emergency or otherwise) must be submitted and approved by the Maryland Thespians Board of Directors before the event. Productions are not to exceed a maximum two-hour running time, including a ten-minute intermission. Please note that should you be invited to perform on the Main Stage, each student and adult participating or helping with the production must be a registered delegate of the Maryland Thespian Festival.
Furthermore, Troupe Directors must obtain additional approval for one in-person performance at the Maryland Thespian Festival and supply Maryland Thespians with a copy of that approval. Schools that wish to provide programs may do so digitally (paper programs will not be used). Troupes presenting on the main stage must register and bring a stage crew to mount and strike the set. All crew members, staff, tools, equipment, scenery, props, costumes, makeup, etc., must be supplied by the performing troupe. Productions must adhere to stage safety guidelines.
PERFORMANCE VENUE
The Main Stage Theatre at Towson University.
LOAD-IN / LOAD-OUT
To ensure success, be sure to review all of the Main Stage Series Load-In / Load-Out Procedures & Regulations.