Ohio is a state chapter of the Educational Theatre Association. Learn more about its state chapter program.
Some years the conference is in central Ohio. When it is not in central Ohio we stay in a hotel. Conference starts at 5p on Friday and goes until around noon on Sunday.
Let’s start with Rubber ducks. Rubber ducks are sold at conference. The sale of rubber ducks is a way for the STOs to raise money for Thespian scholarships. Some kids get really into duck buying and end up getting a lot. Some kids get one or two, and then others don’t buy any.
Now you are probably asking what is an STO? An STO is a State Thespian Officer. Our very own Ny’Asia (‘25) was an STO. STOs represent different areas of Ohio and they do things to help out with the conference. I’m not clear on all their tasks, but as mentioned above, they sell ducks to raise money and they also help emcee parts of the conference.
Let’s talk about food. The conference supplies lunch and dinner on Saturday, and the boosters usually coordinate pizza Friday evening and/or Saturday evening.
The conference will be full of workshops and performances, bookended by an opening ceremony and a closing ceremony. Download the app once it is available and you can see all of the workshops and performances that will be available. If you click on any of the choices there will be a description of the workshop or performance. In addition to the workshops and performances, there will be an area with vendors and college reps. This is a good place to talk to different colleges if your thespian is interested in going into theatre (both performance and the tech side). You do not need to sign up for the workshops - you just show up at the time it says on the app. There are a couple of workshops that are invite only, but those are indicated on the app.
All Ohio show: At the Fall Conference there are auditions and interviews for the All Ohio show. Kids from all over Ohio participate in putting together this show, which is a play in odd years and a musical in even years. They basically work on the All Ohio show on 3 day weekends. The kids from out of town, stay with host families. There is usually a public viewing of the show the Thursday before the conference starts. The All Ohio show will be shown twice during the conference.
Wolfe, Seth, Katie, and at least 4 parent chaperones will be there the whole weekend and are available if the kids have any questions or needs etc.
This is a long weekend, I encourage everyone to be well fed, well hydrated, and ready to have fun and learn some things. You can send your kid with money for concessions, ducks, silent auction, and vendors. But money is not necessary - some kids don’t spend any money.
