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2026 Teacher/Sponsor Checklist

September 19
  • Submit your Full-Length or Showcase Production Application
  • If participating in the Full-Length and Showcase selection process, mark your calendar to:
    • Submit school registration, Medical/Media Release Forms, and payment by October 17.
    • Though it is best practice, all participants in the production under consideration do not have to be registered by this time. Cast and crew members may be added if the production is chosen for Festival. See submission application for more information.
    • Be available Sunday, November 23 between 1:00 pm and 5:00 pm, to receive a call from the Festival Play Selection Committee regarding your Full-Length or Showcase entry.
    • Attend the Production Director and Technical Director meeting at Illinois State University on December 7.

October 31

School Registration Due:  Complete and submit school registration online (Registration is often full a week before the deadline!)

  • Submit the online school registration form
    When completing your school registration you will have the option to purchase meal tickets. These tickets must be purchased in advance. Each $24.20 ticket provides a participant with lunch for both Friday & Saturday. Please see the meals section on the Festival website for more information.
  • Submit one check payable to Illinois State University or PO
  • Submit the Principal Acknowledgement Form
  • Submit a Medical/Media Release Form for all participants (both students and sponsors). 
  • Submit the provided excel of all student and sponsor names (this must match the names you provide when submitting the online school registration form.

November 1

  • Last day to request a refund less a $15.00 per person processing fee for School registration.  There are no refunds for college audition registration.

November 5

  • Nominate your administrator for the Administrator Support Award.

November 19

  • Complete the College Audition Process.  Once we hit capacity, the link will close.  The college auditions application will be sent to the sponsor via email after the school has completed their school registration process.
  • Submit the online College Auditions Application & Payment (credit card only within the form)
  • Submit the online Audition Resume Form and/or the Technical Interview Resume Form.  If you submit the resume form you are not considered registered.  We will only accept your resume submission if you have submitted the online Auditions Application.
December 10
  • Send photos to exhibits@ihstf.org for use in the slide show (allowed formats: .jpg, .bmp, .gif, .tiff).
  • Pre-Register for select workshops and Cave Crew

December 15

  • Check the website for the preliminary Festival Schedule
  • Check the website for the College/University Audition Times
  • Check your email for the December School Info Flyer (provides final and new information before you arrive at Festival)

Event is Made Possible By:




Illinois High School Theatre Festival

General Questions:
memccan@ilstu.edu

IHSTF 2026 Executive Director

Allan Kimball

executivedirector@ihstf.org


All-State Questions Only:

allstateproducers@ihstf.org

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