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CA State Thespian Festival 2026
Welcome to the CA State Thespian Festival 2026
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Monday, March 16
 

7:30am PDT

Festival Finale Tech Work
Monday March 16, 2026 7:30am - 9:30am PDT
Monday March 16, 2026 7:30am - 9:30am PDT
Bridges MainStage

7:30am PDT

Adult Hospitality Lounge, sponsored by Ludus
Monday March 16, 2026 7:30am - 10:00am PDT
Monday March 16, 2026 7:30am - 10:00am PDT
Smith Campus Center (SCC) 201

8:00am PDT

Ensemble Games w/the STO’s
Monday March 16, 2026 8:00am - 9:30am PDT
Monday March 16, 2026 8:00am - 9:30am PDT
Marston Quad Lawn

8:00am PDT

Playworks Performances
Monday March 16, 2026 8:00am - 9:30am PDT
Monday March 16, 2026 8:00am - 9:30am PDT
Edmunds Ballroom

8:00am PDT

Solo Acting Showcase
Monday March 16, 2026 8:00am - 9:30am PDT
Monday March 16, 2026 8:00am - 9:30am PDT
Seaver Allen Black Box

8:00am PDT

Tech Thespy Showcase
Monday March 16, 2026 8:00am - 9:30am PDT
Tech thespy showcase doors will open at 8:00 a.m.
All presenters should be there at 8
Presentations will begin promptly at 8:15

Monday March 16, 2026 8:00am - 9:30am PDT
Thatcher Music-Lyman Hall 250

9:00am PDT

Business Office Open
Monday March 16, 2026 9:00am - 12:00pm PDT

Monday March 16, 2026 9:00am - 12:00pm PDT
Bridges 311

9:00am PDT

Designer Showcase Participants pick-up
Monday March 16, 2026 9:00am - 12:00pm PDT
Monday March 16, 2026 9:00am - 12:00pm PDT
Bridges 1st Floor Lobby

9:00am PDT

Information Table Open
Monday March 16, 2026 9:00am - 12:00pm PDT
Monday March 16, 2026 9:00am - 12:00pm PDT
Bridges 1st Floor Lobby

9:00am PDT

Quiet Room open
Monday March 16, 2026 9:00am - 12:00pm PDT
Feeling overwhelmed by the hustle and bustle of Festival? Stop by the Quiet Room for a break. This space is available as a peaceful and comfortable space to decompress.
Monday March 16, 2026 9:00am - 12:00pm PDT
Smith Campus Center (SCC) 217

10:00am PDT

Mainstage Event (House Opens 9:45 AM)
Monday March 16, 2026 10:00am - 12:00pm PDT
All troupes gather in the Bridges Auditorium for performances, keynote speakers, awards, and more.
Monday March 16, 2026 10:00am - 12:00pm PDT
Bridges MainStage

12:00pm PDT

Festival Closes - Depart for Home
Monday March 16, 2026 12:00pm - 12:30pm PDT

Monday March 16, 2026 12:00pm - 12:30pm PDT
TBA

12:00pm PDT

Festival Closes - Vacate Auditorium
Monday March 16, 2026 12:00pm - 12:30pm PDT
Monday March 16, 2026 12:00pm - 12:30pm PDT
Bridges MainStage

12:00pm PDT

Troupe Directors - Pick up awards folder
Monday March 16, 2026 12:00pm - 12:30pm PDT
Monday March 16, 2026 12:00pm - 12:30pm PDT
Bridges Front Patio

12:00pm PDT

Festival Feedback Survey (Troupe Directors)
Monday March 16, 2026 12:00pm - Tuesday March 31, 2026 12:00pm PDT
Troupe Directors, please complete the Festival Feedback survey by March 31. One per troupe.
We read every comment carefully, and use your feedback to refine State Festival from year to year. Thank you for taking care with this!
Monday March 16, 2026 12:00pm - Tuesday March 31, 2026 12:00pm PDT
TBA

12:00pm PDT

Apply for Stage Partners Commission
Monday March 16, 2026 12:00pm - Tuesday April 14, 2026 11:59pm PDT
APPLY HERE by April 14.
In conjunction with California Thespians, Stage Partners has commissioned playwright Weston Scott to develop a new one-act play for a California high school theatre troupe to premiere at a CA Thespians event. The application for this opportunity is open now, and the selected California school will have the opportunity to work directly with Ian on the development of the script.
Over fifty of Ian McWethy's plays have been published and have been performed in all fifty states as well as fifty countries abroad. He’s also co-written two novels with Carrie McCrossen, Margot Mertz Takes It Down and Margot Mertz For The Win, published by Penguin Random House. He’s happily married to that same Carrie McCrossen, where they live in Los Angeles with their two kiddos. Mr. McWethy is represented by Alex Platis of Untitled Management, Noah Ballard of Verve, and Jay Patel of Peikoff Mahan.
Stage Partners is an independent play publisher dedicated to making exceptional new plays accessible to all theaters and schools. Founded and run by writers experienced in theatrical licensing, Stage Partners aims to make finding the perfect new play easy, engaging, and exciting, whether you are a new drama teacher or an experienced artistic director. With scripts that are always free to read, lightning-fast licensing, and a passionate staff, Stage Partners is committed to offering industry-best services to both its customers and its playwrights.www.yourstagepartners.com

Monday March 16, 2026 12:00pm - Tuesday April 14, 2026 11:59pm PDT
TBA

12:00pm PDT

Apply for the 2026-27 Adult State Board
Monday March 16, 2026 12:00pm - Monday June 1, 2026 11:59pm PDT
We are happy to report that California Thespians is thriving and healthy with many new changes coming up.  Our membership is currently 400+ troupes and professional members. We continue to offer many opportunities for Thespians and their teachers in California, as well as keep the membership informed about the events happening nationwide with the Educational Theatre Association.
We are looking for excited and enthusiastic people to join the board to help continue to create amazing content for our state troupes.  Any adult currently residing in California who is interested may apply and be considered for a role on the CA State Thespian Board.

Start your application here: https://edta-chapter-events.secure-platform.com/a/organizations/California/solicitations/1531/home

Monday March 16, 2026 12:00pm - Monday June 1, 2026 11:59pm PDT
TBA

12:30pm PDT

Depart for Home
Monday March 16, 2026 12:30pm - 1:00pm PDT
Monday March 16, 2026 12:30pm - 1:00pm PDT
TBA
 

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