TheatreFESTival 2026

Build your own experience through the various events throughout the day. TheatreFESTival is a casual open house experience where the community is invited backstage to see the magic behind live performance. Guests are welcome to join at any point during the day. Choose from an extensive list of ongoing events, creating your own custom experience. Drop in for an interview with the actors, head backstage for a guided tour of the sets, or join our designers to learn more about their process. Local theatre companies will also be on site with information about their upcoming seasons, and giveaways!

Once you have registered for the day's event, visit go.ncsu.edu/tfestival for more information on the various events.

Funded in part by the City of Raleigh based on recommendations of the Raleigh Arts Commission.

Info: Be sure to grab your tickets for TheatreFEST 2025 including Dial M for M**der, Blithe Spirit, and QuickSCRIPTS!

Info: Meet the companies of the greater Raleigh Area. The lobby is open 1-4pm for you to meet and greet area theatre makers. Past attendees have included: Agape Theatre Project, Back-to-One Studios, Burning Coal, Honest Pint Theatre, Justice Theatre Project, NC State Live, North Carolina Theatre, North Raleigh Arts and Creative Theatre, Pure Life, Raleigh ACT, Raleigh Little Theatre, Sips and Scripts, Sweet Tea Shakespeare, Switchyard Theatre, Theatre in the Park, Theatre Raleigh, The National Women’s Theatre Festival, The 541 Co. University Theatre

Info: Embroidery101- Learn the basics of embroidery while trying your hand at a small project. Hear how this technique is used in the productions at University Theatre. Meet Location: F-Costume Shop | 40 minutes | Seated Interactive Event | 1:00pm & 2:45pm

Info: Pull back the curtain and see the other side of the show. Led by the staff of University Theatre this is your chance to see how the magic of how theatre works in a backstage tour of UT’s TheatreFEST shows. Tours meet in backstage by scene shop doors. Meet Location: A-Front Lobby | 20 Minutes | Walking Tour | 1:00pm

Info: CNC 101- Watch our Shopbot CNC machine in action with a live demo. Learn how it was used for our current production and see examples from some of our previous shows. Meet Location: C-Scene Shop | 25 Minutes | Standing Demonstration | 1:15pm & 2:45pm

Info: Hear the untold stories of what it is like to be a working theatre maker in Raleigh. Join a local arts journalist as they chat with the director, cast, and creative team of our summer production. Be sure to bring your own questions. Meet Location: H-Kennedy-McIlwee Studio Theatre | 40 Minutes | Seated Event | 1:15 pm

Info: Learn how the fight is fought. Heather Strickland and Benjamin Tarlton, both trained by the Society of American Fight Directors, will demonstrate how stage fights are created. From throwing punches to getting stabbed, you will see the tricks and tips for how choreographers and actors bring a stage fight to life. Come with questions for this experience. Meet Location: G-Titmus Theatre | 45 Minutes Seated Event | 1:30pm & 3:15pm

Info: What if improv is more than comedy? In this participatory improv 101 workshop, applied theatre artist and Arts NC State Project Manager Amy Sawyers-Williams explores how the core principles of improv can strengthen communication, creativity, adaptability, and human connection in everyday life. Participants will experience foundational improv exercises while learning how Amy’s company, See Saw Projects, brings improvisation into nontraditional community settings including prisons, memory care communities, and museums. All levels of experience are welcomed! Meet Location: E-Design Room 300 | 40 Minutes. | Interactive Event | 1:30 pm

Info: Have you ever wondered how the magic is made? Put on your safety goggles as we see the various ways University Theatre creates the scenery, costumes, lighting and video for TheatreFEST. Meet Location: A-Front Lobby | 30 Minutes | Walking Tour | 1:00pm, 2:15pm, & 3:30pm

Info: Audiences want to be drawn in by an actor's voice. They are drawn to emotionally colorful and dynamic ranges but they also need the straightforward and boring stuff. Let's get back to basics on how to create a Loud and Clear vocal performance! This is a great workshop for those who get nervous performing or speaking in front of others. No experience necessary and no preparation needed. Meet Location: D-Rehearsal Hall 150 | 40 Minutes. | Interactive Event | 1:45 pm & 3:15pm

Info: Learn from resident costume designer Laura Parker about the journey of costumes from script to sketch, designs to diagrams, and shop to stage in this Q&A session. Meet Location: F-Costume Shop 304 | 25 Minutes. | Seated Event | 2:00 pm

Info: Hear from resident designers about their journey from script to sketch, sketch to diagrams, and shop to stage in this Q&A session. Meet Location: H-Kennedy-McIlwee Studio Theatre | 25 Minutes. | Seated Event | 2:00pm

Info: Have you ever wondered how the magic is made? Put on your safety goggles as we see the various ways University Theatre creates the scenery, costumes, lighting and video for TheatreFEST. Meet Location: A-Front Lobby | 30 Minutes | Walking Tour | 1:00pm, 2:15pm, & 3:30pm

Info: You've got the talent. Now learn how to show it. This workshop cuts through the noise and gives you the tools to walk into any audition room with confidence and leave a lasting impression. We'll dig into the craft of preparing a compelling monologue, master the art of cold readings, and learn how to quickly decode a side so you can perform it and not just read it. Most importantly, you'll discover how making bold, active choices is what separates the callbacks from the thank-you-nexts. Whether you're just starting out or looking to sharpen your edge, this workshop will change how you approach every audition from here on out. Meet Location E-Design Room 300 | 50 Minutes | Seated Event | 3:00pm

Info: Hear the untold stories of what it is like to be a working theatre maker in Raleigh. Join a local arts journalist as they chat with the director, cast, and creative team of our summer production. Be sure to bring your own questions. Meeting Location: G-Titmus Theatre | 40 Minutes | Seated Event | 2:30 pm

Info: An introductory workshop to learn the basics of differentiating different accents and dialects, and how to incorporate these tools into your performance. We will also talk about the various accents utilized in both The Mystery of Irma Vep and Towards Zero. Meet Location: D-Rehearsal Hall 150 | 40 Minutes. | Interactive Event | 1:45 pm

Info: Embroidery101- Learn the basics of embroidery while trying your hand at a small project. Hear how this technique is used in the productions at University Theatre. Meet Location: F-Costume Shop | 30 minutes | Seated Interactive Event | 1:00pm & 2:45pm

Info: CNC 101- Watch our Shopbot CNC machine in action with a live demo. Learn how it was used for our current production and see examples from some of our previous shows. Meeting Location C-Scene Shop | 25 Minutes | Standing Demonstration | 1:15pm & 2:45pm

Info: Pull back the curtain and see the other side of the show. Led by the staff of University Theatre this is your chance to see how the magic of how theatre works in a backstage tour of UT’s TheatreFEST shows. Meet Location: B-Backstage | 20 Minutes | Walking Tour | 3:00pm & 3:30pm

Info: Great directing starts long before the first rehearsal. It starts with a concept. This workshop invites directors at every level to explore the creative and intellectual process of developing a strong directorial vision and learning how to use it. We'll unpack what a concept really is and what it isn't, explore why it's the backbone of every memorable production, and practice how to articulate your vision in a way that inspires and guides your design team. You'll also wrestle with one of directing's most rewarding challenges: how to honor the truth of a script while fearlessly bringing your own point of view to the table. Walk away with a clearer creative voice and a concrete framework for turning a script into a world. Meet Location E-Design Room 300 | 50 Minutes | Seated Event | 3:00pm

Info: Audiences want to be drawn in by an actor's voice. They are drawn to emotionally colorful and dynamic ranges but they also need the straightforward and boring stuff. Let's get back to basics on how to create a Loud and Clear vocal performance! This is a great workshop for those who get nervous performing or speaking in front of others. No experience necessary and no preparation needed. Meet Location: D-Rehearsal Hall 150 | 40 Minutes. | Interactive Event | 1:45 pm & 3:15pm

Info: Learn how the fight is fought. Heather Strickland and Benjamin Tarlton, both trained and certified by the Society of American Fight Directors, will demonstrate how stage fights are created. From throwing punches to getting stabbed, you will see the tricks and tips for how choreographers and actors bring a stage fight to life. Come with questions for this experience. Meeting Location G-Titmus | 40 Minutes Seated Event | 1:30 & 3:15pm

Info: Have you ever wondered how the magic is made? Put on your safety goggles as we see the various ways University Theatre creates the scenery, costumes, lighting and video for TheatreFEST. Meet Location: A-Front Lobby | 30 Minutes | Walking Tour | 1:00pm, 2:15pm, & 3:30pm

Info: Pull back the curtain and see the other side of the show. Led by the staff of University Theatre this is your chance to see how the magic of how theatre works in a backstage tour of UT’s TheatreFEST shows. Meet Location B-Backstage | 20 Minutes | Walking Tour | 3:00pm & 3:30pm

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Frank Thompson Hall, 2241 Dunn Avenue, Raleigh, United States

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