The Penn State Thespians is a student-run theatrical organization that operates at the Pennsylvania State University. The main goal of the organization is "to present theatrical entertainment and to provide the students of the Pennsylvania State University

Pennsylvania State University

The Pennsylvania State University, commonly referred to as Penn State or PSU, is a public research university with campuses and facilities throughout the state of Pennsylvania, United States. Founded in 1855, the university has a threefold mission of teaching, research, and public service...

 with educational experience in all phases of dramatic production; and in doing, hereby enhance the cultural diversity of its members and the University."

History

The Penn State Thespians is the oldest continuously running student run organization on campus. The first Thespians meeting was called to order on October 22, 1897 by our founders, Dr. Fred Lewis Pattee (author of Penn State’s “Alma Mater”) and Dr. Leete. Dr. Pattee was the head of the Department of English, and Dr. Leete was a professor of Mathematics. Neither had roots in theater, yet they came together to form Thespians. This tradition continues today, as many of our members are not actively pursuing degrees or careers in theater.

The first show performed by the organization was The Rivals, performed on February 14, 1898.

Famous alumni

A few notable alumni from the organization include:

• Gene Kelly
  Gene Kelly
  Eugene Curran "Gene" Kelly was an American dancer, actor, singer, film director and producer, and choreographer...
  
  : Participated in three shows from 1929-1930 before transferring to the University of Pittsburgh.
• Julius J. Epstein
  Julius J. Epstein
  Julius J. Epstein was an American screenwriter, who had a long career, best remembered for the adaptation - in partnership with his twin brother, Philip, and others - of the unproduced play Everybody Comes to Rick's that became the screenplay for the film Casablanca , for which its team of writers...
  
  : Wrote lyrics for Thespians and went on to write more than 30 screen plays, including “Casablanca.”
• Oliver Smith (designer)
  Oliver Smith (designer)
  Oliver Smith was an American scenic designer.Born in Waupun, Wisconsin, Smith attended Penn State, after which he moved to New York City and began to form friendships that blossomed into working relationships with such talents as Leonard Bernstein, Jerome Robbins, Carson McCullers, and Agnes de...
  
  : Won Tony Awards for stage settings on Broadway productions of Brigadoon, West Side Story, My Fair Lady, Oklahoma!, Guys and Dolls, and Hello Dolly.
• Carrie Fishbein Robbins: Won a Tony Award for her costume design of Grease.
• Jonathan Frakes
  Jonathan Frakes
  Jonathan Scott Frakes is an American actor, author and director best known for his role as Commander William T. Riker in the Star Trek franchise, as well as for his tenure as host of Beyond Belief: Fact or Fiction ....
  
  : Played the roll of Commander William Riker on Star Trek: The Next Generation.

Events

Some notable performances that the organization holds throughout the year include:

• Main stage: Thespians do one main stage musical each semester. They are performed at Schwab Auditorium. The shows are completely student run and performed.
• Children’s Shows: Each semester Thespians create a children’s show. Thespians choose a popular children's book and adapt it into play form. These shows are performed in downtown State College at Schlow Memorial Library. Thespian pledges are highly involved in these shows. Recent children shows include Amelia Bedelia and Rainbow Fish.
• MasquerAIDS: Once a year, Thespians perform a MasquerAIDS fundraiser. All profits from the show go to benefit the AIDS Project of Centre and Clinton Counties.

Upcoming Shows

Fall ’11: Urinetown

Spring ’12: Aida

Becoming a Future Member

To become a member of Thespians, one must first start out as a pledge. This is a two-semester process in which one must fulfill certain requirements. This includes helping out with the main stage shows through crew, set, costumes, creating a pledge project, asking pledge questions, and creating a pledge skit. Pledges also, have a "Big" to help them with their pledging process.