The stage is set for major entertainment locally in 2027. From Louisville Business FIrst:

Thousands of theater students from around the country will soon descend upon Louisville.

Louisville Tourism announced Wednesday that the Educational Theatre Association (EdTA) will relocate the International Thespian Festival to Louisville from Indiana University in Bloomington beginning in 2027.

The festival — first launched in 1941 — features performances, workshops, and leadership opportunities for middle and high school students. It has grown into the largest event of its kind in the United States.

The event is expected to bring an estimated economic impact of $5.5 million annually based on attendance figures from the 2024 festival, according to Louisville Tourism.

“Louisville is honored to become the new home of the International Thespian Festival starting in 2027,” said Cleo Battle, president and CEO of Louisville Tourism in a release. “Our city has long embraced the arts as a vital part of our identity, and we’re thrilled to welcome thousands of students, educators, and families to experience our vibrant cultural scene.”

Louisville’s downtown arts district, with venues including the Kentucky Center, Actors Theatre of Louisville, The Palace Theatre, and the Kentucky International Convention Center, offers the walkability, cultural amenities, and infrastructure EdTA identified as key to the festival’s growth.

The festival will bring roughly 4,500 students, educators, and theatre stakeholders to the city each year, according to Louisville Tourism.