Theta Alpha Phi

American theatre honor fraternity

Theta Alpha Phi

ΘΑΦ
Founded| December 1919; 105 years ago (1919-12)
Chicago, Illinois
Type| Honor
Affiliation| Independent
Status| Active
Emphasis| Theatre
Scope| National
Motto| "The purpose of playing is...to hold, as 'twere, the mirror up to nature"
Member badge|
Colors|   Purple and   White
Symbol| Comedy and Tragedy masks
Jewel| Ruby
Publication| The Cue
Chapters| 21
Members| 23,000+ lifetime
Nickname| Thetas, Thetans, TAPs, and Taffies
Headquarters| 500 East Beechwold Boulevard
Columbus, Ohio 43214
United States
Website| www.thetaalphaphi.com

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

As of 2024, Theta Alpha Phi appears to have ceased operations, leaving Alpha Psi Omega as the sole remaining national theatre honor society in the United States.

## History

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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* Maud Babcock, faculty member at University of Utah[6]
* Ruth Moench Bell, a teacher at Utah Agricultural College[7]
* Keene Curtis, actor[8]
* Margaret Draper, actress[9]
* Florence Kirk, opera singer[10]
* Conrad Prebys, developer and philanthropist
* Eva Marie Saint, actress[11]

## References

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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. 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.
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.

## External links

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* Theta Alpha Phi National Website
* Archival materials related to Theta Alpha Phi, in the L. Tom Perry Special Collections, Harold B. Lee Library, Brigham Young University

Authority control databases

International|

* VIAF

National|

* United States
* Israel

Other|

* Yale LUX