Wauwatosa West High School, home of International Thespian Troupe 6903, is just one of nine theatre groups in the country selected to perform on the main stage at the annual International Thespian Festival (ITF) in Bloomington, Indiana from June 23-28, 2024. ITF is an event that showcases the best of high school theatre, and the coveted invitation to perform on the main stage signals achievement of superior work in theatre.
ITF brings together high school theatre students and their teachers for a weeklong immersion in workshops; interaction with colleges, industry leaders, and Broadway professionals; and opportunities to be inspired by the best high school theatre in the nation. Students from Wauwatosa West will be the first ever to perform Disney’s Frozen: The Broadway Musical at ITF on the main stage.
During the academic year prior to ITF, schools may submit one of their live, full-length productions to be judged for constructive feedback and the chance to be invited to perform on the main stage at ITF - high school theatre’s biggest stage. Theatre Director Mr. Adam Steffan submitted the group’s performance of Frozen: The Broadway Musical after being selected to pilot the production as part of “The United States of Frozen: Love Is an Open Door” nationwide competition.
“This incredible achievement truly speaks to the commitment and craft of the Wauwatosa West theatre, crew, pit, and staff members,” stated Dr. Demond Means, Superintendent of the Wauwatosa School District. “The community’s response to the production of Disney’s Frozen: The Broadway Musical here in Wauwatosa has been incredible, and I am confident that the group’s performance at ITF will garner similar admiration. This accomplishment underscores the importance of arts in our schools and our core belief that students should be encouraged to pursue their interests and talents by engaging in co-curricular and elective course offerings.”
ITF will be held at Indiana University in Bloomington and is produced by the Educational Theatre Association (EdTA).
A video of theatre director Mr. Adam Steffan announcing the honor to the students can be found here.