Troupe Director:
Melissa Danforth
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Troupe:
Whitehouse High School
Troupe Number:
0296
The International Thespian Society is an international honors organization
that recognizes the achievements of students who dedicate themselves to
excellence in art of theatre.
Becoming a member of the International Thespian Society requires 10 thespian
points. Each point represents 10 hours of quality work in theatre outside
of class room participation. You may earn those points by contributing to
the goals and mission of the theatre arts program through acting, dancing,
singing, directing, choreography, stage management, lighting design, sound
design, set design, costumes, publicity, writing, competing in oral
interpretations and acting or designing contests, technical work of any
kind, and other approved projects such as film making, and community service.
Students are expected to be responsible for their own records. Those
records are then reviewed by the committe of troupe officers and the
Drama Club and Thespian Troupe 296
Constitution and By-Laws
ARTICLE 1
NAME AND FUNCTION
Section 1. Name: The organization shall be known as, "Whitehouse High
School Drama Club and Thespian Troupe 296" according to the participant's
membership status as set forth in these by-laws and from now on referred to
as Troupe 296 or Troupe.
Section 2. Function: Thespian Troupe 296 is a charter member of the
International Thespian Society (ITS) whose base will be Whitehouse High
School of Whitehouse, Texas.
ARTICLE 2
MISSION AND GOALS
Section 1. Mission: Thespian Troupe 296 is an educational theatre arts
organization, chartered in 2004 whose mission is to promote and strengthen
theatre arts in the Whitehouse Independent School District. Troupe 294
major areas of interest shall be advocacy and student development and
enrichment in theatre arts.
Section 2. Goals:
1.) To improve the quality of theatre in Whitehouse High School
2.) To provide students increased opportunities to interact with
students
having similar interests.
3.) To increase the public's understanding of the value of theatre
in the
education system.
4.) To promote a spirit of collaboration and camaraderie among all
the fine
arts of all levels at Whitehouse ISD.
ARTICLE 3
MEMBERSHIP
Section 1. Eligibility: Membership in Thespian Troupe 296 shall be open to
all those who display support of the Troupe by earning a total of ten or
more Thespian points through meritorious work in the theatre of Whitehouse
High School. Prior to earning ten points, members shall be encouraged to
participate in activities as a club member.
Section 2. Thespian Points: Students may earn points for their work in
theatre arts in the following areas: acting, production management and
assistance, business management and assistance, directing, writing, troupe
leadership, and miscellaneous activities.
Section 3. Members: Club membership shall be attained by paying the yearly
membership dues and participation in club activities. Membership in
Thespian Troupe 296 shall be effective after an individual participates in
initiation ceremonies and pays the one time International Thespian Society
membership fee according to International Thespian Society by-laws.
Section 4. Fees: Yearly club dues of twenty dollars ($20) are assessed upon
membership of Drama Club. These dues cover the cost of a club T-Shirt and
allow the member to attend all Whitehouse High School Theatre Arts
performances with the exception of Joe's Café for $1.00. A lifetime
assessment fee of nineteen dollars ($19) must be paid to the International
Thespian Society prior to primary initiation. Members are encouraged to
pay the yearly club dues prior to October 1 of the school year.
Section 5. Standing of Members: Membership in Drama Club and Thespian
Troupe 296 may be suspended should a member fail to meet the requirements:
1.) Any member whose fees remain delinquent shall be removed from
the membership roster, with consequent loss of all privileges. Such
membership may be reinstated upon full payment of the fees.
2.) Any member whose behavior during general meeting, performances,
rehearsals, work days, or club activities is deemed unacceptable by
the officers and troupe sponsor shall be removed from the membership
roster, with consequent loss of privileges. Such membership may be
reinstated upon full understanding of acceptable behavior as determined
by the executive board.
3.) In order to retain membership in Troupe 296, members must
participate in a majority of the meetings held by the troupe,
fundraising activities duly called and held for the benefit of the troupe,
and attend a minimum of two productions of The Whitehouse High School
Theatre Arts Department. Any member failing to meet these
requirements shall be removed from the membership roster, with loss of
privileges. Such membership shall be reinstated upon completion of a set
amount of service to the Troupe as determined by the executive board.
ARTICLE 4
OFFICER/EXECUTIVE BOARD
Section 1. Composition of The officers of Thespian Troupe 296 shall be
president, vice president, activities chair, publicity and public relations
chair, technical and facilities chair, budget/finance and ITS records
chair. Chairpersons may decide to form committees and sub-committees as
necessary according to the activities of the troupe.
Section 2. Term of Office: The term of office shall be for seventeen (17)
months, beginning in January of the school year during which the elections
are held and ending in May of the following school year. An officer may be
reelected twice for a total term of three years. With each new yearly
elections, the newly elected officers will hold the status of shadow
officers until the last day of school for that school year while the active
officers finish their term and mentor the shadow officers.
Section 3. Requirements: Members of the executive board must be eligible
for membership in the International Thespian Society and should fulfill all
duties with skill and consistency. They must maintain excellent standards
of self discipline, academics, and school and troupe pride. Any officer
failing to do so shall be subject to removal from office.
ARTICLE 5
NOMINATIONS AND ELECTIONS
Section 1. Qualifications for Nominations: Each nominee must be a current
member of Troupe 296 and must be of the top 20 point holders.
Section 2. Nominations: Nominations of Thespian Troupe 296 shall be
conducted in the following manner:
1.) Nominations shall occur during a meeting duly called and held
for such purpose.
2.) If, in case, two selected nominees hold equal point values, the
member retaining the most seniority will advance with nomination.
3.) If, in case, two selected nominees hold equal point values, and
both share in their time of service to the membership of the Troupe, the
present officers shall decide whom the advancing nominee will be.
4.) An individual has the right to decline nomination.
Section 3. Candidates: All individuals campaigning for election to the
executive board may deliver a speech before the electors concerning personal
goals and commitment to improving Troupe 296.
Section 4. Eligibility: Each member of the Troupe is entitled rto vote in
all troupe elections of not on probationary or inactive status.
ARTICLE 6
AMENDMENTS
The executive board and troupe sponsor shall have the exclusive right, duty,
and authority to amend, repeal, or change these laws or the articles of
incorporation of Drama Club/Thespian Troupe 296, providing this is done by
the unanimous decision of the then elected, qualified, and acting members.
ARTICLE 7
MEETINGS
Meetings shall occur once a six weeks or when necessary for the good of the
department or production at hand. No meeting shall occur without the
presence of the troupe director/adult faculty sponsor, at least two
executive board members and at least five voting members.
RATIFICATION
director. For every ten points following the thespian initiation, stars
status is awarded up to five stars. At that point, the Thespian becomes an
Honor Bar Thespian and will graduate with the Honor Bar stole instead of the
Thespian cords. Thespian cards are filed by graduation year in the
director's left hand desk drawer in her office. The only records that can
be reviewed are those in the file so students need to be proactive in
keeping up with their records.
CURRENT ACTIVE OFFICERS 2007-2008
President-Heather Matthews
Vice President-Adrienne Hall
Activities Chair-Sandrah Patty
Publicity and Public Relations Chair-Garret Dostal
Budget/finance and ITS Records Chair-Tina McQuigg
WHS Drama Club Party Thrusday, January 15,2009!
come and eat
7:00 pm in the pit!:]