Kansas Thespian Festival

​Kansas Thespian Festival
January 8-10, 2026  
Registration Guide

Where: Hyatt Regency Wichita and Century II Performing Arts and Convention Center.
​When: The next festival will be January 8-10, 2026
Who: High school theatre students, teachers, colleges, guest artists
  • Typical attendance (based on 2025)
    • ​Students - almost 1600 (and growing)
    • Thespian Troupe Directors 71
    • 40 Colleges
    • 50 Workshop presenters- including teachers, college professors, local artists, and national presenters
    • 7 vendors 
Why: Activities, lots of activities
  • 5 Mainstage shows (presented by High Schools)
  • ​200 Workshops to choose from
  • Individual event competitions (qualify for International Thespian Festival)
  • Late Night activities- Improv, Charades, Quiz Bowl, Creative Costumes, IE showcase, classes
  • Senior Auditions (Thespian scholarships- up to $10,000 awarded)
  • Lobby Displays
  • College Displays
  • Vendor displays
  • Tech Challenge
  • Playworks
  • Filmworks
Additional 
​Opportunities
Cost 
Cost after  Oct 1
Honor Troupe
$0
not available
Late Night Activities
$0
Not Available
Lobby Display
$0
Not Available
Backstage Challenge (Tech Challenge)
$15
Not Available
Other fees:
$10 charge per request of name changes of students
​$0 charge to change name of chaperone/sponsor

Click on a button for more information on an activity.

Want to learn more about the student activities-
  • Auditioning/Scholarships
  • Thespys (formally Individual Events)
  • Late Night Events
  • STO applications
Sept 1- Registration open
Oct 1- Registration Due
Nov 1- Audition Applications due
Nov 1- Balances paid off (late fees will be added after this time)

questions about Registration or festival can be directed to [email protected]

Registration Fees- 

All fees are non-refundable.
All fees are due by Nov 1.  A troupe late fee of $250 will be added Nov 2. 
Students must attend with a Thespian Troupe Director.
Registration Type
Prior to Oct 1
After Oct 1
After Nov 1
Student-
​Full Conference
$170
$220
$270
Student-
​One Day Pass
$90
$140
$190
Troupe Director
​(complimentary 1 person)
$0
$60
$160
Chaperone
$70
$120
$170
State Board Students (3 per school- must be at Aug Meeting)
$120
$170
$220
Student State Officer/ITO
$0.
$60
$110
Schools without official troupes attending 2nd or more years
$300 fee
Additional Cost Items
Cost until Oct 1st
Cost until
​Nov 1
One Act Performances (includes Chapter Select adjudication)
$50
Not Available
Thespys 
$30 (per event)
Not Available
Main Stage Adjudication 
$300
​application due at Kick off meeting
Not Available