— On March 11, 2026 Kansas Thespians host a Theatre in Our Schools Advocacy Day at the Kansas State Capitol. Over 200 Students, educators, and advocates come to the Capitol from across the state to advocate for positive arts legislation and theatre programming in our schools.

As dedicated supporters of theatre, Senator Cindy Holscher, and Representative Kirk Haskins have partnered with Kansas Thespians for this day to highlight the economic impact of the arts in our communities and the importance of strong arts education in our schools. Kansas Thespians promote lifelong learning through theatre in over 100 high school and junior high Thespian troupes across the state, with over 3000 inducted students.

Their hard work has been honored numerous times at the International Thespian Festival with schools, individual students, and educators from our state being recognized for their remarkable work.

The impact of arts programming and theatre can be felt in communities across Kansas. It is estimated by the Thespians that high school theatre brings in around a million dollars in community monies which is significant to our state. Theatre students will visit with their legislators, observe legislators in action on the floor of the senate, and have a possible photo op with the Governor.

### For more information on the advocacy day, contact the Kansas Thespians Advocacy Chair, Contact: Katie Murphy Advocacy Chair Email: [email protected]

Representatives are available for interviews to speak on this issue and bring awareness to the cause.

To schedule an interview with Thespian Representatives, please contact Katie Murphy

 

DRAFT Schedule for Theatre in Our Schools Advocacy Day FROM 2025

 

8:30- Begin arriving. Enter through North Entrance at ground level to pass through security. Proceed to first floor to check in.

 

9:00- Check on first floor. Tables will be visible.

 

9:30 – Large group photo

 

10:00-12:00 – Meetings with Reps

 

12:00 – Go to singing positions in Rotunda ground floor. Warm up etc.

 

12:15- Sing in the Rotunda

 

12:30- 12:50- Press Conference with Senator Cindy Holscher, Representative Haskins and Advocacy Steering Committee committee member

 

12:50- Lunch, additional legislative appointments

 

2:15 Assigned schools enter the Senate Gallery.

 

2:30  Senator Cindy Holscher’s Point of Privilege and Proclamation.

DID YOU KNOW KANSAS THESPIANS … 

 

• Maintains 98 active Thespian or Junior Thespian troupes.
• Has over 2900 active high school or junior high Thespian members in Kansas.
• Has numerous Thespian troupes attend The International Thespian Festival.
• Maintains 6 Student Thespian Officers who work together on the Kansas Thespian State Board.
• Holds a Kansas Thespians Festival each year with over 2300 students, teachers, and college representatives in attendance. During this time Kansas Thespians rent the entire Century II Convention Center and  The Wichita Hyatt Regency, Wichita, Kansas for this three day event.
• Had an administrator recognized as Theatre Administrator of the Year by the Educational Theatre Association 2023 and 2024.
• Has an Olathe Director of Theatre selected to serve on the national Educational Theatre Association Board of Directors.
• Is recognized as a Gold Honor Chapter by The Educational Theatre Association.
• Olathe South High School chosen as Outstanding Theatre School 2020  by The Educational Theatre Association.
• Leavenworth High School garnered first place in the nation 2020 for the Theatre in Our Schools Impact Award.
• Topeka West High School chosen as Outstanding Theatre School 2022  by The Educational Theatre Association.
• Topeka West High School garnered first place in the nation 2022 and 2023 for the Theatre in Our Schools Impact Award.
• Topeka High School chosen as Outstanding Theatre School 2023  by The Educational Theatre Association.

 

Overall, Kansas has over 20,000 students involved in theatre each year with each Kansas Thespian School producing an average of five productions a year. This equates into an average of 15 performances a year per school with an average attendance of 150 people or more per show. When the math is figured,and you add the total number of performances across Kansas, we have at least a quarter of a million people watching high school musicals and plays across our great state with a box office impact of at least $1,300,000  spent on attending high school productions, not to mention spending impact on local businesses for production supplies estimated at another half a million or more.