The Munster Theatre Company is thrilled to once again host a theatre camp this summer for students in Northwest Indiana.

Registration takes place in May.

The camp will tentatively run from June 5-9, 2023, with times TBD, at the Munster Auditorium at Munster High School.  Students will be exposed to both performance and technical elements of making live theatre.  No prior experience is necessary!  Attendees must be going into grades 6-9 for the 2023-2024 school year.  Returning students will receive more advanced training.

The camp is being run by Ray Palasz and Peggy Matanic, directors of the Munster Theatre Company and Wilbur Wright Theatre Company within the School Town of Munster.  Together with some of their top high school student leaders, the goal of the camp is to give students the opportunity to learn more about theatre. 

Each day is scheduled with activities to build each child's understanding and abilities in both performance and technical theatre.  This leads to a special showcase where every child will be featured is planned for the afternoon of June 9 on the Munster Auditorium stage. 

All attendees will receive a camp shirt and be provided with a lunch on Friday prior to the showcase.

The cost of the camp is $150 per person.  Payment can be made by cash or check the first day of camp, or online at munaud.booktix.com.  If paying online, simply scroll to the bottom of the box office to find the Summer Camp item.  Note that there is a $6 fee per child for credit card processing if you pay online.

Questions about the camp can be directed to Ray Palasz at rapalasz@munster.us.

Awards and Accolades

When Munster Theatre Company re-chartered its International Thespian Society troupe in 2016, we immediately began competing in the Indiana Thespians competitions.

There are a few different events we compete in:

Honor Troupe Program

Each year, Thespian Troupes compile a record of the events of the previous season.  This record is then assessed on its documentation of performances, outreach, community service, and other involvment.   Based on the number of points a Troupe earns, they recieve Honorable Mention, Bronze, Silver, or Gold Ratings.  This recognition is a testament to the depth and breadth of educational theatre programs in our state.

Contest Plays

The Indiana Thespians sponsors a one-act play competition each year.  At the Regional level, the top 2 schools advance to the State level.  Troupes are given 45 minutes to set up, perform, and strike a show.  Shows are judged on a standards-based rubric at each level.  Individual and troupe awards are given.

International Thespian Excellence Awards (Thespys)

The International Thespian Excellence Awards (Thespys) is a multi-round competition that provides standards-based feedback on individual, duet, and group musical and non-musical events, technical events, and short film events.  Those entries that earn a Superior (the top level of rating) at State qualify to compete at the International Thespian Festival that summer.

Below is a list of Awards and Accolades by year.

Should you discover errors with this list, please email Ray Palasz at rapalasz@munster.us.