CSULB Theatre Arts Department Hosts TheatreFest 2013, 4/12-13

California State University Long Beach Theatre Arts Department hosts its annual TheatreFest competition today, April 12th, and Saturday, April 13th, in and around the Theatre Arts building on CSULB campus. More than twenty high schools from LA and Orange Counties will participate in the event.

Each high school participant will be involved in a wide variety of activities, including professionally-taught workshops, undergraduate performances, and friendly competition. Students will also have the opportunity to connect with fellow thespians. The goal of TheatreFest is to promote a healthy learning environment in which the young theatre artists can enjoy themselves, develop collaborative skills, and showcase their talents.

Even in tough economic times, high schools have committed their time and money to support the arts; this year nearly 600 students will participate in TheatreFest. Students compete to win awards in categories including comedic and dramatic scenes and monologues, musical theatre, improvisation, and design. This year, TheatreFest adds a new event, the Tech Olympics, which will test the skills of technical theatre students. Schools can also win the prestigious Spirit Award for participating in all of the weekend's activities and Spirit Games.

TheatreFest prides itself in securing the knowledgeable and experienced judges, including volunteer graduate students and faculty and staff from the Theatre Arts Department. Many theatre professionals and educators from Los Angeles and Orange Counties will participate as guest judges.

TheatreFest is administered by the graduate theatre management students from California Repertory Company and was begun in 1999 as a thesis project. This year approximately 200 volunteers will run the event.