Exhausting. Exciting. Fulfilling.

That’s how Dan Stratman, technical director for the Lied Center for Performing Arts, describes his experience working with theater troupes attending the International Thespian Festival at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

“The thespians have been coming to UNL for 22 years and I’ve worked every one of them,” Stratman said. “These kids put their heart, souls and everything they have into the productions for this festival.

“Working with these kids is an amazing opportunity. We put in 80 to 90 hours the week they are here. It’s exhausting, exciting and fulfilling. And, it’s one of the best weeks each year.”

Hosted by UNL since 1994, the International Thespian Festival draws thousands of high school theater students annually. It is organized by the Educational Theatre Association, the professional association for theatre education, and offers students a weeklong immersion in all things related to theatre — from singing and acting to designing and directing.

The 2016 festival, June 20-25, set a new record for attendance with 3,952 participants, which includes 2,800 teen thespians from Lincoln to Saipan.

A team of about 30 from the Educational Theatre Association guides the conference from a temporary office in the Lied Center’s Steinhart Room. A variety of units provide additional support.

“We really couldn’t do this without all the support we get from the university,” said Doug Berlon, deputy executive director of education and content for ETA. “From top to bottom, the university has been a phenomenal partner. The employees here really go above and beyond in their support for this festival.”

Assistance is organized by University Housing’s conference services program.

“We arrange a wide variety of services, from housing and meals to providing information technology support and locating workshop spaces,” said Tony Rathgeber, assistant director of conference services. “About the only thing we do not arrange is where their actual performances will be held. That’s done mostly through the Lied Center.”

Of the 3,952 attending the festival, 3,351 stayed in nine City Campus residence halls. Festival events are offered in 24 buildings with full shows staged in the Lied Center, Johnny Carson Theatre and Kimball Hall. Due to conference growth, the thespians also started renting the Rococo Theater for performances in 2016.

Rathgeber said campus partners for the festival include Housing Dining Services, Housing Facilities Operations, Campus Recreation, Custodial Services, Catering Services, Hixson-Lied College of Fine and Performing Arts, Information Technology Services, the Nebraska Unions, the Lied Center, Parking and Transit Services and the Registrar’s Office.

“It’s a real team effort,” Rathgeber said. “But, this is a group that has been coming here for many years. We’ve developed a great relationship with them and we want their time here as pleasurable as possible.”

He said the energy the thespians bring to the event also helps fuel UNL’s desire to make the festival special.

“We have 17,000-plus people stay with us for various summer camps and conferences, but this is the week we all look forward to the most,” Rathgeber said. “The thespians bring so much positive energy to our campus. They bring as much life to campus as 25,000 students do at the start of the fall semester.”

For more information about the International Thespian Festival, click here.