Ben Davis High School is proud to be a member of the International Thespian Society (ITS).  The Ben Davis Charter was established in 1936. Our Troupe number of 21 makes us one of the oldest troupes in the world.  With the Society topping 5000 troupes worldwide, our name has been associated with excellence in educational theatre for a long time.

    The ITS is the only organization to honor secondary school students for outstanding work in theatre.  The resolution with which the society approaches this role is evident in its focus on the students; their achievements, involvement, and access to quality theatre arts instruction are basic concerns of the ITS.

    Thespian membership is granted for the performance of meritorious work in theatre arts which meets the Society's general guidelines.  Specifically, students become members by earning points for their work.  Any student who has participated in at least two productions for a total of one hundred hours of work is eligible for Thespian Society membership.

    Students have traditionally had at least three theatrical productions a year in which to be involved.  From Winnie The Pooh to Godspell; Twelve Angry Americans (the co-ed version of Twelve Angry Men) to Guys and Dolls; Our Town to Camelot, Ben Davis thespians have been exposed to professional "Broadway" scripts.  Even our "one-act" nights have been filled with such classics as Dial M for Murder and the touching story of a teenage life ended early, The Brick and The Rose.

    Our graduates have been seen backstage or on stage from Indianapolis (Theatre on the Square, Phoenix, I.R.T., and others) to New York and "Off-Broadway".  Thespian graduates have been seen on the Tonight Show and on comedy stages around the country.  Ben Davis Thespians have used their talents in costume design shops in professional theatres in Chicago, and in writing, directing, and producing daytime dramas for network television.

    The tradition of excellence that is the Ben Davis Thespian Troupe #21 has not been from luck.  It comes from a commitment that allows students the chance to try and learn from successes and failures.  Allowing students access to every aspect of the production process and providing the best possible training.  It comes from training students that excellence and perfection should never be just words, but ideals to be sought.  And from learning that live theatre is a media that keeps you humble.