Every year, a handful of Lafayette Thespians are nominated for a Thespi Award, an honor given to those most dedicated to Lafayette’s theater program.

This will be the first Thespi Awards for Claire Caubre, sophomore.

“It’s kind of an Oscar-like party to celebrate thespians and their accomplishments over the year,” Caubre said.

Named after Thespis, the Greek theater extraordinaire credited as the first man to separate lead and chorus parts, the Thespi Awards are held to honor those who have gone above and beyond in the world of theater. Students are asked to nominate fellow thespians for a variety of categories in which they feel best represent said award.

“There are 27 categories from Best Actor in a play to Most Dedicated Senior,”  Natasha Fischer, theater teacher, said. “After nominations, whoever the students vote for receive the award.”

People that participate in school theater activities and show true dedication to the thespian lifestyle are typically the ones who receive nominations.

“Out of all of the people to choose from, I remember nominating Katie Hanson for Best Female Lead and Malcolm Beattie for Best Lighting Design,” Caubre said.

Caubre was nominated for Best Supporting Role, Best One Act Performer and Most Dedicated Newcomer.

There will be a total of 31 awards given out this year.

The Thespi’s will be held in the Commons on May 10 from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. and will be immediately followed by an encore performance of “Shakespeare Abridged” by the The Lafayette Theater Company.