1420 East 68th Street Brooklyn, NY 11234 Phone: (718) 763-4701 Fax: (718) 251-3439
Roy H. Mann
The School of Architectural Design & Innovative Technology
Together We Make A Difference
International Thespian Society
Roy H. Mann's Junior Thespian Troupe 13287 operates as a recognized chapter of the International Thespian Society. The society functions as a premier student honor society, dedicated to recognizing, rewarding, and celebrating student excellence in theatre arts. Thespian troupes are a subset of a school's theatre arts program, with induction earned by students who meet specific point thresholds through their work in performances or technical theatre.
The organization operates under the umbrella of the Educational Theatre Association. Students inducted into the ITS are eligible for honor distinctions, scholarship opportunities, leadership roles, and graduation regalia. The Junior Thespian division specifically serves students in grades 6 through 8. Students generally become eligible for Junior Thespian induction earning points by completing quality work in their school's theatre arts program. Student members often participate in Individual Events (often referred to as Thespys), workshops, and statewide or national theatre festivals.
A message from the Director, Mr. Foxwell
Roy H. Mann is proud to announce that it has been selected as one of the winners of the third annual Disney on Broadway School of Excellence Program, a partnership of the Educational Theatre Foundation, Disney Theatrical Group, and Music Theatre International. As part of this honor, the school will produce Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, Jr. during the 2026–2027 school year.
This recognition comes on the heels of a memorable production of High School Musical, which showcased the extraordinary range of student talent and staff collaboration at Roy H. Mann. Students along with their staff mentors contributed not only as performers, but also in choreography, scenery, painting, assistant directing, stage crew, and spotlight operation. The production’s fully student-run stage crew operated seamlessly throughout the show, reflecting the professionalism, teamwork, and leadership that have become hallmarks of the program. None of this would be possible without a truly multidisciplinary staff dedicated to producing high-quality performances year in and year out.
This year’s production was especially meaningful as the school bid farewell to its amazing 8th graders, many of whom have grown in and with the program over the years and started with Mr. Foxwell at Roy H. Mann. Heartfelt farewells and words of gratitude left not a dry eye in the house, underscoring the deep sense of community built through the arts. Roy H. Mann is deeply grateful to all staff and administrators who supported and organized this production over many months, helping make the experience possible for students in every role.
Created in 2024 to celebrate 30 years of Disney on Broadway, the School of Excellence program recognizes middle and high schools across the United States for their exceptional student-led involvement in theatre production. Schools are selected for demonstrating creativity, leadership, and student engagement in theatrical disciplines such as stagecraft, direction, performance, choreography, and design. Winning schools receive free licensing and production materials to mount a Disney musical during the 2026–2027 school year, along with exclusive educational webinars featuring industry professionals. I.S. 78 Roy H. Mann is one of 20 schools selected for the third cohort of the program, and the only New York City public school selected.
More information about the Disney on Broadway School of Excellence Program, including a full list of winning schools, can be found at schooltheatre.org/school-of-excellence
Productions by Year
2027 - Beauty and the Beast
2026 - High School Musical
2025 - Wizard of Oz
2024 - Moana
2023 - The Little Mermaid
2020 - 2022 - Postponed
2019 - Charlie & The Chocolate Factory
2018 - Alice in Wonderland
2017 - Aladdin
2016 - Thoroughly Modern Millie
2015 - Annie
2014 - Peter Pan
2013 - The Little Mermaid
2012 - Alice in Wonderland
2011 - High School Musical
2010 - Hamlet
2009 - Annie
2008 - Beauty and the Beast
2007 - Wizard of Oz
2006 - Grease
2005 - Guys & Dolls
2004 - The King & I
2003 - Fiddler on the Roof
2002 - Grease
2001 - Little Shop of Horrors
2000 - Beauty and the Beast