top of page

As plans are finalized, any festival updates will be posted here.

To navigate:                                           are Documents,                                         are online Forms, &                                    are webpages.

Teal Buttons
Grey Buttons
Green Buttons

are used for Archived Documents.

The Basics of the PDA/SC ITS Festival:

If you are new to this festival and do not have someone guiding you through this process, this page will try to outline the process of being part of Palmetto Dramatic Association and SC International Thespians (frequently referred as PDA and SC Thespians).

​

For a timetable and checklist, open this document:

​​

​

If your school wants to participate in any portion of the festival, the school must register by the December deadline. 

​​

​

You may choose to do only PDA or Thespian events but either way you will be filling out only one form for the festival.    The December registration is for the SCHOOL (fairly simple one page form) to be registered.  The January registration is for the INDIVIDUALS in your group to be registered. Depending upon in what your students choose to participate, the January deadline can be daunting.​​

​

Palmetto Dramatic Association

Events at the Festival (Time of Submission)

  1. One-Act Festival: published scripts presented in full production; 40 minute time limit included set-up, production, strike. Usually runs from Friday afternoon thru Sunday morning ( December- School/OA Registration, January- Delegate Registration and Play Tech Form)  **In order to reserve a specific production title, it is recommended that the title be submitted with the School Registration by November 1.

  2. Original One-Acts: Deadline for submission is in early December.  Top Three scripts presented in Reader's Theatre format on Saturday afternoon (December- Original One Act Form or School Registration Form)

  3. Blair Beasley and Joe Timmons Awards of Excellence: Senior students may apply to be considered for this cash award for their work during the One-Act festival.  Top Twelve applicants will participate in an interview session on the Sunday afternoon of the festival.  Up to three scholarships, valued at $1,000 each, will be awarded. (January- Delegate Registration, February- Senior Awards Application and PDA Teacher Recommendation)

 

SC Thespians

Events at the Festival (Time of Submission)

  1. Playwriting Thespys: For playwrights to submit a short play.  Deadline for submission is the same as the PDA Playwriting competition.  (December- Original One Act Form or School Registration Form)

  2. Chapter Select Performance: For schools wanting their one-act to be considered for the National ITS convention in June, the one-act must be presented during the PDA One-Act festival.(January- Delegate Registration and Play Tech Form)

  3. Thespys: A competition for solo, duet and group performances as well as film productions, and technical/design portfolio/interviews. Several possible events- each student is allowed to be in only two events. Events will occur from Friday afternoon through Saturday evening. (January- Delegate Registration and Play Tech/Thespy Schedule Form)

  4. Student Thespian Officers  are open to Sophomores and Juniors who are active Thespians. Students will be interviewed at this year's festival to be chosen as officers for the next festival (January- STO Application)

  5. Senior Thespian Auditions are open to Seniors who are active Thespians. Up to $2,500 in scholarship money will be awarded. Auditions will involve uploading a video in the Senior Award Application. The top candidates will be interviewed before the festival.  (January- Delegate Registration, February- Senior Awards Application with Video/Portfolio Upload)

Deadlines for the 2026 Festival

Items italicized are when forms or information will be released

​

  • Thursday, September 25, 2025- Intent to Participate opens  (Can submit the title of your One-Act at this time. The Title is reserved with School Registration payment or submitted Purchase Order)

  • Friday, December 5, 2025- PDA Original One Acts and/or Playwriting Thespy Entries submitted ELECTRONICALLY for Consideration 

  • Friday, December 5, 2025- All State Applications and Videos must be submitted in order to be considered for Musical Theatre, Acting, or Tech Challenge Showcases.

  • Friday, December 5, 2025- School Registration CLOSES- Schools attending the February festival must submit the School Registration form by this time

  • Tuesday, December 9th- Delegate Registration (worksheets and form) will be available on the website

  • Friday, December 19, 2025- PDA Outstanding Teacher and Outstanding Mentor Teacher nominations and Honor Troupe applications must be submitted to be considered for recognition at the 2026 Festival.

  • Friday, January 23, 2026- Delegate Registration is due along with definitive Thespys Categories, Scholarship Applicants. The Play Tech/Thespy Schedule Form is also due at this time.

PLEASE BE ADVISED: In order to meet the January deadline, we recommend that the students have an earlier deadline for PAYMENT and participation in the singular student events- Thespys, STO, Portfolios, and Scholarships (either before Winter Break OR 10 days before the January deadline).

​

  • Tuesday, January 27th- Teachers and School Counselors will be sent Recommendation and School Record forms to be completed

  • Friday, January 30, 2026- ALL THESPY entries (matching what was submitted in Delegate Registration) submitted into OPEN WATER. This includes Short Film submissions as well. 

  • Monday, February 2nd- One Act Schedule Posted. Name Verifications sent to Sponsor

  • Tuesday, February 3rd- Senior Awards and STO Applications must be submitted by the students.

  • Friday, February 6th- Teacher Recommendations and School Records for STOs and Senior Awards submitted.  If a school is going to use Meal Tickets, those must be purchased at this time as well.

  • Tuesday, February 10th- Name Verifications submitted. Thespys Schedule Posted

​

If you have gotten this far and want to be

part of the festival, open this document:

​

For schools that are definitely going to participate, sponsors may also want to print out the Delegate Registration Worksheets to see what to gather from the delegates before the January deadline.  Remember: as the sponsor, you can limit what your students do at the festival so that you are not overwhelmed your first time.  The Worksheets can be found on the Delegate Registration web page: 

(Will be available by mid-November)

© 2025 by Palmetto Dramatic Association & SC Thespians. Proudly created with Wix.com
 

bottom of page