Teacher Awards

TheIndiana Thespians recognizes the incredible hard work and dedication of Theatre Educators and Administrators throughout our state through the following awards, presented annually at our state conference:

HALL OF FAME
In 2012, the Indiana Thespians inaugurated the Indiana Thespians Hall of Fame. This recognition is bestowed on those who have contributed to theatre education in our state as well as to Indiana Thespians and spent over twenty years in theatre education. Recipients are inducted each year during our State Conference.

OUTSTANDING THEATRE EDUCATOR AWARD
The Indiana Thespians Outstanding Theatre Educator Award recognizes one theatre educator each year who is in their 6th through 20th year of teaching and who goes above and beyond for their students and their program. An educator may only receive this award one time.

RISING STAR THEATRE EDUCATOR AWARD
The Indiana Thespians Rising Star Theatre Educator Award recognizes one theatre educator each year who is in their first through fifth year of teaching and who goes above and beyond for their students and their program. An educator may only receive this award one time.

OUTSTANDING ADMINISTRATOR AWARD
The Indiana Thespians Outstanding Administrator Award recognizes outstanding school administrators who have demonstrated exemplary support for educational theatre. An administrator may win this award only one time.

Nominate Your Educator!

Who is the hero of your troupe? Is there an educator who has made a meaningful impact on your life or on the lives of students you know? Honor their dedication and contributions by nominating them for one of our four Indiana Thespians Educator Awards.

Hall of Fame

Outstanding Educator

Rising Star Educator

Outstanding Administrator

Hall of Fame Recipients

2025: Ellen Augustine
2024: Jeremy Leazenby-Bruce and Ray Palasz
2023: Maggie Cassidy
2022: Susan Nieten & Carol Gebert
2021: Dr. Laurie Godfrey and Peggy Matanic
2020: Todd Terrell and Michael Daehn
2019: Dolphus Stephens, Sara and Bob Franks
2018: Dana McAfee, Sara and Bob Franks, Dolphus Stephens
2016: David Longest and Larry A. Brechner
2015: Kathleen Horrigan, Jim Peterson, Catharine Rademacher
2014: Chris Bundy, Tamara Tudor, Ann Hileman
2013: Ken Fraza, Ann Lines, Glenn Edwards
2012: Craig Munk, William Heimann, Beverley Seaver

Outstanding Theatre Educator Recipients

2025: Tom Mackey - Merrillville; Aeron Kincaid - Oak Hill
2024: Caitlyn Steckbeck - Avon High School; Stephanie Clussmann - LaVille Jr./Sr. High School
2023: Corrine Reed - Prairie Heights Jr./Sr. High School

Rising Star Theatre Educator Recipients

2025: Stacy Davis - Boone Grove High School; Kathryn Rohlfing - East Noble High School
2024: No Awardee
2023: Brooklyn Chalfant - Floyd Central High School

Outstanding Administrator Recipients