NEW Sponsorship Packages available for 2024!
Get your name in front of 1,500 theatre enthusiasts at the CA State Thespian Festival.
The CA State Thespian Festival is a 3-day celebration of theatre for high school students and the adults who support them. This event hosts up to 1,600 high school theatre students, theatre educators, and adult chaperones, in addition to participating teaching artists, adjudicators, and technical staff.
We have many State Festival sponsorship options available, starting at just $150. We also have limited availability for sponsorships for our Leadership & Technical Theatre Conference, Play Festivals, Jr Thespian Festival, and Board Retreat.
To sign on as a sponsor, design a custom package, or with questions, contact info@cathespians.org.
Festival Attendance
Sponsor a Thespian $150
Help a Thespian come to the Festival: sponsor their registration! Your sponsorship includes the cost of registration; funding is disbursed through the CA Thespian Send a Thespian Grant program.
Includes:
- Your logo and link in the digital program.
- Your logo and link on the Send a Thespian Grant webpage
- Your logo and link on our website until Nov 1, 2024
- An insert in teacher swag bag (you print, we stuff)
Sponsor a Chaperone $500.00
Help a Thespian parent attend the Festival! Attending troupes are required to bring a certain number of adult chaperones. This has been identified as a hardship and a barrier to attendance for some schools, especially those in lower-income districts and with high percentages of parents working in hourly professions. Your sponsorship includes the cost of registration for one chaperone, and a reimbursement (up to $450) disbursed to the school to cover their travel, hotel, and incidentals.
Includes:
- Your logo and link in the digital program.
- Your logo and link on the Send a Thespian Grant webpage
- Your logo and link on our website until Nov 1, 2024
- An insert in teacher swag bag (you print, we stuff)
Student Events
Tech Challenge $250.00
A fun, technical-theatre-inspired activity available to all students at the Festival. Approx 100 will participate, and it’s in a highly visible location where hundreds of others watch. Your sponsorship covers the cost of materials, overhead, and awards for Tech Challenge winners.
Includes:
- Your signs near Tech Challenge
- “Tech Challenge, sponsored by YOUR NAME” announced at Awards Ceremony
- Your logo and link in the digital program
- Your logo and link on our website until Nov 1, 2024
- An insert in teacher swag bag (you print, we stuff)
Quiet Room $250.00
NEW in 2023!! An SEL accommodation that we are proud to offer at our event. This room is monitored by experienced teen mental health professionals, and offers a space to decompress from the excitement of Festival. Utilized by 100+ students and adults throughout the weekend.
Your sponsorship covers the cost of a salt lamp, white noise machine, water bottles, light snacks, and yoga mats in the room, and overhead.
Includes:
- Your logo and name on Quiet Room door sign
- Your logo and link in the digital program.
- “Quiet Room sponsored by YOUR NAME” in the digital program.
- Your logo and link on our website until Nov 1, 2024
- An insert in teacher swag bag (you print, we stuff)
Improv Spectacular $250.00
A friendly, high-energy improvisation competition engaging approx. 100 student performers, and enjoyed by up to 500 delegates. Your sponsorship covers the cost of overhead, professional adjudicators, and awards.
Includes:
- Your logo and name on Improv Spectacular door signs
- “Improv Spectacular, sponsored by YOUR NAME” announced at Awards Ceremony
- Your logo and link in the digital program
- Your logo and link on our website until Nov 1, 2024
- An insert in teacher swag bag (you print, we stuff)
Playworks $250.00
Up to 2 student-written scripts are developed as staged readings with professional directors, student actors, and student assistant directors. Your sponsorship covers the costs of printing, ight costumes & props, professional directors, and overhead.
Includes:
- Your logo and name on Playworks door signs
- “Playworks, sponsored by YOUR NAME” announced at Awards Ceremony
- Your logo and link in the digital program
- Your logo and link on our website until Nov 1, 2024
- An insert in teacher swag bag (you print, we stuff)
Hospitality Sponsorships
Adult Hospitality Lounge $2500.00
This is a kid-free zone where adult attendees can relax, work, or network. Room frequented by 200+ teachers and parents throughout the weekend – some will pop in for coffee, and some will stay for hours. Your sponsorship covers the cost of high-energy snacks for the weekend.
Includes:
- Your signs on each table
- Your logo and link in the digital program
- Your logo and link on our website until Nov 1, 2024
- An insert in teacher swag bag (you print, we stuff)
- Your poster in the Highlander Lobby for the entire weekend
- 3 minutes to speak at Teacher Dessert Reception (40-55 HS Theatre Teachers)
Adult Hospitality Coffee & Tea Bar $500.00
Bring the caffeine, be everyone’s best friend! The Hospitality Room is frequented by 200+ teachers and parents throughout the weekend – some will pop in for coffee, and some will stay for hours. Your sponsorship covers the cost of coffee and tea for the weekend.
Includes:
- Your signs on or near coffee / tea urns
- Your logo and link in the digital program
- Your logo and link on our website until Nov 1, 2024
- An insert in teacher swag bag (you print, we stuff)
Teacher Dessert Reception $2500.00
This reception honors the hard work of our attending teachers. We go all-out on desserts and beverages, offer high-value raffle prizes, and make sure everyone has time to relax and catch up with friends. Attended by up to 70 HS Theatre Teachers. Your sponsorship covers the cost of the dessert catering package which includes service and linens.
Includes:
- “Dessert reception sponsored by YOUR NAME” in digital program schedule
- Your posters or signs in the reception room
- Your logo and link in the digital program
- Your logo and link on our website until Nov 1, 2024
- An insert in teacher swag bag (you print, we stuff)
- Your poster in the Highlander Lobby for the entire weekend
- 3 minutes to speak at Teacher Dessert Reception
Dessert Reception Beverage Bar $350.00
Your sponsorship covers the cost of the beverage bar which includes coffee, tea, and lemonade.
Includes:
- Your signs on or near coffee / tea urns
- Your logo and link in the digital program
- Your logo and link on our website until Nov 1, 2024
- A thank you from the podium at the reception
- An insert in teacher swag bag (you print, we stuff)
Dessert Reception Centerpieces $500.00 or provide your own
You may sponsor centerpieces with a financial donation, or by providing centerpieces of your own, to be delivered to Upland High School for an April 5 or 6 event.
Includes:
- Your signs at each banquet table, raffle table, dessert bar
- Your logo and link in the digital program
- Your logo and link on our website until Nov 1, 2024
- A thank you from the podium at the reception
- An insert in teacher swag bag (you print, we stuff)
Tech Staff Hospitality Lounge $1500.00
Our Festival is supported by up to 35 technical theatre professionals who mentor our Student Tech Crew all weekend. Most are employed throughout Southern California, some travel in from Northern California or other states, and some are regularly on tour. The Tech Staff Hospitality Room is frequented throughout the weekend, as a green room and meeting space. Your sponsorship covers the cost of snacks, beverages, and caffeine throughout the weekend.
Includes:
- Your signs next to the snacks
- Your logo and link in the digital program
- Your logo and QR code on the Tech Staff and Student Tech Crew badges
- Your logo and link on our website until Nov 1, 2024
- An insert in teacher swag bag (you print, we stuff)
Tech Staff Breakfast Burritos $500.00
Be a tech’s best friend – buy them a burrito! Breakfast burritos are the traditional tech breakfast on the final day of Festival: a thank you and fuel for the final big push of the event. Your sponsorship covers the cost of breakfast burritos for some very tired, hungry, and grateful technicians.
Includes:
- Your signs next to the snacks
- “Breakfast burritos sponsored by YOUR NAME” when the burritos are hand-delivered to each technician
- Your logo and link in the digital program
- Your logo and QR code on the Tech Staff and Student Tech Crew badges
- Your logo and link on our website until Nov 1, 2024
- An insert in teacher swag bag (you print, we stuff)
Artist Honorariums
Opening Number Choreographer $1000.00
The Opening Number is the high-energy, dance-only performance that kicks off the State Festival. Every school in attendance has the opportunity to be represented on stage. Students rehearse virtually starting in February, and in person on the first day of Festival. This performance is seen by approx 1,500 theatre enthusiasts on the first day of Festival. Your sponsorship covers the honorarium for the Opening Number Choreographer.
Includes:
- “Sponsored in part by YOUR NAME” during each mention of Opening Number on our website and live at the event
- Your logo and link in the digital program
- Your and link on our website until Nov 1, 2024
- An insert in teacher swag bag (you print, we stuff)
- Your poster in the Highlander Lobby for the entire weekend
Festival Finale Director $2500.00
The Festival Finale is a 30-minute cutting of a new or trending musical performed during Closing Ceremonies. Students rehearse virtually starting in February, and in person throughout Festival weekend. This performance is seen by approx 1,500 theatre enthusiasts on the final day of the Festival. Your sponsorship covers the honorarium for the Festival Finale Director.
Includes:
- “Sponsored in part by YOUR NAME” during each mention of Festival Finale on our website and live at the event
- Your logo and link in the digital program
- Your and link on our website until Nov 1, 2024
- An insert in teacher swag bag (you print, we stuff)
- Your poster in the Highlander Lobby for the entire weekend
- 3 minutes to speak at Teacher Dessert Reception (40-55 HS Theatre Teachers)
Festival Finale Choreographer $1000.00
Performance seen by approx 1,500 theatre enthusiasts on the final day of Festival. Your sponsorship covers the honorarium for the Festival Finale Choreographer.
Includes:
- “Sponsored in part by YOUR NAME” during each mention of Festival Finale on our website and live at the event
- Your logo and link in the digital program
- Your and link on our website until Nov 1, 2024
- An insert in teacher swag bag (you print, we stuff)
- Your poster in the Highlander Lobby for the entire weekend
Festival Finale Music Director $1000.00
Performance seen by approx 1,500 theatre enthusiasts on the final day of Festival. Your sponsorship covers the honorarium for the Festival Finale Music Director.
Includes:
- “Sponsored in part by YOUR NAME” during each mention of Festival Finale on our website and live at the event
- Your logo and link in the digital program
- Your and link on our website until Nov 1, 2024
- An insert in teacher swag bag (you print, we stuff)
- Your poster in the Highlander Lobby for the entire weekend
Event Logistics
Digital Event Program $1000.00
Accessed by all participants multiple times throughout the weekend. Your sponsorship covers the cost of platform subscription.
Includes:
- “Digital Program, sponsored by YOUR NAME” announced mentioned from mainstage multiple times throughout the weekend
- Your logo and link in the digital program
- Your logo and link on our website until Nov 1, 2024
- An insert in teacher swag bag (you print, we stuff)
EMT $3000.00 or provide a qualified individual
Help keep our attendees safe! It doesn’t happen often, but occasionally our enthusiastic attendees get hurt. As insurance, we keep an EMT on duty during all hours of Festival weekend. Your sponsorship covers the cost of EMT service and equipment for the weekend.
Includes:
- Your name on the door to the EMT station
- “EMT sponsored by YOUR NAME” on each instance of the EMT station in the schedule
- Your logo and link in the digital program
- Your logo and link on our website until Nov 1, 2024
- An insert in teacher swag bag (you print, we stuff)
- 3 minutes to speak at the Teacher Dessert Reception