Theta Alpha Phi National Theatre Honors Fraternity (ΘΑΦ) is an American honor society for theatre. It was established in 1919 by members of the National Association of Teachers of Speech. Membership is available to undergraduates and graduate students at member institutions.

History

Theta Alpha Phi was organized in December 1919 at a National Association of Teachers of Speech meeting in Chicago, Illinois.[1] It was formed as an amateur dramatic society that would encourage interest in dramatics and bring together students, instructors, and alumni for social purposes.[1]

Its first chapter, Oklahoma Alpha, was chartered on December 22, 1919 at Oklahoma A&M College, now Oklahoma State University in Stillwater, Oklahoma.[2][3] By 1930, it had established 66 chapters and had initiated 4,212 members.[1] However, many chapters went inactive during the Great Depression.[2] In 1991, it had 54 active chapters and 32 inactive chapters, along with 22,800 initiates.[2]

As of 2021, Theta Alpha Phi has 21 active chapters.[4] The society's national headquarters is at 500 East Beechwold Boulevard in Columbus, Ohio.[4] It is governed by an executive council and a national convention.[5]

Symbols

Theta Alpha Phi's motto is "The purpose of playing is...to hold, as 'twere, the mirror up to nature", which is a reference to the "advice to the players" speech in William Shakespeare's Hamlet.[3]

The fraternity's gold badge is shaped like the comedy and tragedy masks, long associated with the theatrical arts.[2] It is crowned with four rubies and bears the black enameled letters Θ, Α and Φ on the left eye, nose and right eye, respectively.[2]

Its colors are purple and white.[3] Its members are called Taffies, TAPs, Thetans, and Thetas.[3]

Activities

Theta Alpha Phi presents a national award called the Medallion of Honor, which it purports is the highest national tribute made in educational theatre. Theta Alpha Phi's magazine, The Cue, was established in 1922.[2]

Membership

Theta Alpha Phi is restricted to four-year or graduate colleges and universities and admits to membership only students of sophomore standing or above. Students become eligible after having successfully met a prescribed minimum of experience in directing, writing, acting in, or managing plays.[2] Originally, this was specified as having performed two major or four minor roles or having demonstrated proficiency in another aspect of the dramatic arts.[1]

Chapters

Main article: List of Theta Alpha Phi chapters

Theta Alpha Phi has chartered at least 86 chapters and has 21 active chapters as of 2021.[2][4]

Notable members

References

  1. ^ a b c d Shepardson, Francis Wayland, ed. Baird's Manual of American College Fraternities, 12th edition. Menasha, Wisconsin: The Collegiate Press/George Banta Publishing Company, 1930. pp. 578-579. via Hathi Trust.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h Anson, Jack L.; Marchenasi, Robert F., eds. (1991) [1879]. Baird's Manual of American Fraternities (20th ed.). Indianapolis, IN: Baird's Manual Foundation, Inc. p. VII-57. ISBN 978-0963715906.
  3. ^ a b c d "About Us". Theta Alpha Phi. Retrieved 2025-02-21.
  4. ^ a b c "Chapters". Theta Alpha Phi. Retrieved 2025-02-21.
  5. ^ Robson, John, ed. (1963). Baird's Manual of American College Fraternities (17th ed.). Menasha, Wisconsin: The Collegiate Press, George Banta Company, Inc. pp. 702.
  6. ^ Maud May Babcock, President of the National Communication Association, 1932
  7. ^ Binheim, Max; Elvin, Charles A (1928). Women of the West; a series of biographical sketches of living eminent women in the eleven western states of the United States of America. pp. 171–172. Retrieved 8 August 2017.Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  8. ^ "'U' Dramatists Wait Honors". The Salt Lake Telegram. June 3, 1943. p. 15. Retrieved August 21, 2018 – via Newspapers.com.
  9. ^ "Chekhov Stage Group Holds Utah Actress". Utah, Salt Lake City. The Salt Lake Tribune. August 11, 1940. p. 59. Retrieved April 23, 2016 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
  10. ^ The Eleusis of Chi Omega. Vol. 47. 1945. p. 108.
  11. ^ "Bee Gee News May 30, 1945". BG News (Student Newspaper). 30 May 1945. Retrieved 24 July 2020.
Allikas: Https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theta_Alpha_Phi
No tags for this post.