Montana Thespians joined the International Thespian Society and was established in 1973 under the direction of Lloyd Mickelson.
About Montana Thespians
Lloyd Mickelson was the first state director from Billings Sr. In the beginning, there wasn’t a state convention. Plays were brought to the University of Montana to perform at the interscholastic in May, along with golf, track, and speech & debate. It was called a play festival and was under the auspices of The Montana High School Association. In the spring of 1973 we withdrew from the Montana High School Association and became our own entity, Montana Thespians. It took a few years but the first Montana Thespians State Festival was Dec. 15 & 16 1978 at Sentinel High School in Missoula, MT.
Troupe Directors Meeting during Saturdays Festival at lunch
Join us for our annoul Montana troupe directors lunch and yearly meeting. Find out what is new with EdTA and Montana Thespians. Connect up with old friends and new directors. Share all your great ideas while getting a short break from the roar of the students.
Important Information - Due Date for the 2025/26 STO Applications is Jan 16, 2025
No applications will be accepted after that date.
State Thespian Officer - Student Board
Current Montana Thespians Student Board Members
President: Isabella Schmidt - Hellagte High School Missoula
Vice President: Kilian Kroenke - Hellgate High School Missoula
Secretary: Rose Hogland - Big Sky High School Missoula
Treasurer: Elizebeth Franzon - Sentinel High School Missoula
Communications: June Forsythe - Capital High School Helena
Festival Liaison: Stina Oliver - Bozeman High School Bozeman
Festival Liaison: Lily Marmon - Sentinel High School Missoula
Festival Liaison: Kaydence Gilroy - CMR High School Great Falls
Festival Liaison: Cassidy Bradshaw - Great Falls High School Great Falls
OUR VISION WITH THE EDUCATIONAL THEATRE ASSOCIATION (EdTA)
• To honor student achievement in theatre and enrich their educational experience.
• Support Educators by providing professional development, networking opportunities, resources, and recognition.
• Influence public opinion and policy-makers that theatre education is essential and builds life skills.
Our Mission
Montana Thespians, an affiliate of the educational theatre association, strives to positively impact the lives of our youth in Montana through theatre education, advocacy, networking opportunities, and community building resources.
“I have enjoyed being a part of the state board for the past two years and it is an experience I absolutley recommend. Thank you Montana Thespians for helping me get involved” -Cosmo Roots
“Theatre is not an escape, it’s a way of life. Being a state board member allows me and share the vibrancy of theatre to others. Huzzah for theatre! -Ava Fossen
“This was my first year on the board and it was such a beautiful experience. I loved being one of the people to encourage this amazing environment. Thank you for this opportunity!” -Jazmine Mudget
“I have had a blast. - Aaron Prati