Florida Thespians 2026

The 2026 Florida Senior Thespian State Festival will be held on March 18-21, 2026 in Tampa, FL at the Straz Center for the Performing Arts, the Tampa Convention Center, and Howard W. Blake School of the Arts.

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The Florida Thespians Senior State Festival provides the opportunity for students to participate in a variety of workshops, one act performances, master classes, individual Thespy events, Mainstage performances, and technical theatre events led by theatre professionals from around the country, all while you get to spend time with other high school students from around the state who share your passion and excitement for theatre.

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The festival is an educational event for high school students, troupe directors, and registered chaperones. 

Fashion Institute of Technology

Guest Teaching Artist under Professor Michael Harrell, lecturing on the Business of professional costuming. Going behind the scenes to look at careers in Costume Design and Wardrobe, nothing goes untouched in this Costuming for Entertainment master class. 

Broadway Undressed 

Created during the pandemic, Broadway Undressed is a fun, educational, and entertaining peek behind the curtain at all things backstage Broadway. Originally in partnership with Airbnb, this virtual experience has been presented at Google, Columbia University, and multiple educational and corporate events worldwide. This experience can now be presented virtually or in person for anyone bitten by the show business bug.

Fordham Univeristy

Guest Teaching Artist for Intro to Drama Course under Professor Diana Calderazzo. Special lecture on Intro to Costuming, which takes students behind the seams of how many Broadway shows are made, including Frozen and Hamilton. 

Opening Act

Opening Act is a NYC-based non-profit organization that provides free, long-term, after-school theater arts programming to underserved public high schools across all five boroughs. Founded in 2000, it aims to foster confidence and community, serving over 50 schools with support from partners like HBO and Kenny Leon.

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Ongoing Teaching Artist workshops in Technical Theatre, Costuming, and Producing with additional Gala support annually. 

Mississippi State University

Guest Teaching Artist under Professor Gary Packwood, offering master classes in Acting for Musical Theatre, competition preparation, and the Business of the Business.  Jessica has been working with the Mississippi State Choral Program, focusing on Musical Theatre and Opera performance, since 2011.