Professioning

I'md been up all of the last night, tossing and turnin' in excitement and worry at what would be happenin' this morning. As I dressed, pulling on m'coloured coat and stretching down to pick up the new stick lying at m'feet. It's black, the background to the Poet's pipe, blacker than the depths of despair yet brighter than the shiniest star. I step out of the hut, m'shoes scraping on the ground. M'family is already gatherin' at the stage. I raise m'head and walk on.

History

Professioning is a tradition unique to the Thespians , and is thought to have been in existence since the Thespians migrated to Mythia. No change has been observed by outsiders, although celebrations differ for individuals and it is possible that small changes have been masked by these differences.

Execution

Professioning always includes several key elements.

Performance

The family of the new Thespian adult performs a piece with their troupe in celebration of the 14-year-old's progression to official adulthood. Often this performance features a solo in the particular aspect of performing that the new Thespian has shown talent in and been chosen to fill a role in a troupe with. These performances are typically comedies or light dramas, making sure to preserve the joyous nature of the occasion.

Speeches

Over the next few days, those who wish to wish the new Thespian adult well come to the festivity grounds and give speeches proclaiming their pride in the newly grown child. The 14-year-old themselves also gives a speech, typically directly after the performance for them, thanking their parents and mentors and others that have been important in their lives.

Hat-giving and Renaming

On the third day of festivities, the celebration is officially concluded by the new Thespian adult meeting their troupe and being given their hat and new surname. They are named according to the role they will fill within the troupe, and a tall hat that symbolises their progression to adult society. This hat often has decorations on the brim that symbolise their chosen profession. During the naming process, their parents and the troupe stand by while the new adult bows, as a Thespian elder bestows upon them their new name. After this festivities typically continue for another day or two, although official celebrations are concluded.

Food

Throughout the celebrations, a banquet of food is put out for all the guests and for the new adult. This is typically prepared by the parents and friends of the new adult and some continue to cook for the 3 days of customary celebration. This food often includes delicacies to the Thespian people such as bird eyes and dips made of moss and rainwater.

Components and tools

Large tables and plenty of food are required for the celebrations, as well as the typical Thespian stage and other related implements for the performance.  Very infrequently such a celebration may be graced with the presence of The Traveling Theatre .  The new Thespian is typically given a new coat and stick for the event, and of course receives the customary tall hat at its conclusion.

Participants

All those from the new Thespian's past are typically invited to the Professioning ceremony, with prominent figures typically including the Thespian's parents and mentors, as well as those they have performed with in the past.  Even Thespians who the new adult does not personally know are typically welcome, and often join the festivities for the whole three days.  In this way the new Thespian adult extends their social circle at the time of their coming-of-age.
One person who is always required for the ceremony is a Thespian elder.  Typically one travels with each troupe so as to ensure that they are present when required - if not, then the troupe will move towards an area that has such an elder to ensure that the new adult can be properly celebrated.

Observance

Professioning is observed on the first holiday that a Thespian has after turning 14, which is typically within a week.

Related Ethnicities

• Thespians