CA State Thespian Festival 2026: Full Schedule

Welcome to the CA State Thespian Festival 2026

2:00pm PDT

The Character Code: Master the 8 Laban Efforts

Saturday March 14, 2026 2:00pm - 3:15pm PDT

Limited Capacity seats available

Unlock the secret "cheat codes" for physical acting! In this high-energy movement session, you’ll master the 8 Laban Efforts—from the explosive Punch to the ethereal Float. We’ll use a cinematic soundtrack to transform your walk, your posture, and your presence through guided character movement. You’ll leave with a concrete physical vocabulary to instantly fix "boring" scenes and build unique, professional-level characters from the outside in. Let’s get moving!

Teaching Artists

Gemma Hebson

Art-E Foundation, Art-E Foundation

Gemma Hebson is a distinguished theater and dance educator with nearly 30 years of experience shaping young artists across Southern California. A proud alumna of California State University, Fullerton, where she earned her B.A. in Theatre Arts, Ms. Hebson’s career is defined by... Read More →

Saturday March 14, 2026 2:00pm - 3:15pm PDT
Estella 2113

Workshop, Physical Performance/ Dance

3:30pm PDT

The Character Code: Master the 8 Laban Efforts

LIMITED

Saturday March 14, 2026 3:30pm - 4:15pm PDT

Estella 2113

Limited Capacity seats available

Teaching Artists

Gemma Hebson

Art-E Foundation, Art-E Foundation

Saturday March 14, 2026 3:30pm - 4:15pm PDT
Estella 2113

Workshop, Physical Performance/ Dance

10:00am PDT

Musical Mixing 101

FILLING

Sunday March 15, 2026 10:00am - 11:15am PDT

Estella 2113

Limited Capacity filling up

In this workshop, students will learn the basic necessities for mixing a musical! We’ll break down what DCAs are, and why they make mixing easier and cleaner. You’ll learn simple, practical ways to set up DCAs and how to use them during performances. Using real musical theatre examples, this workshop will show you how to mix with confidence, react quickly, and focus on telling the story. By the end, you’ll have tools you can use right away in your next school production.

Teaching Artists

Julia Pinhey

Sound Engineer, Rental Manager, Teacher-High School, Santa Susana High School

Julia Pinhey has been the Technical Theatre Teacher at Santa Susana High School since 2019. Prior to working at Santa Susana, Julia taught at Notre Dame High School in Sherman Oaks, California. She loves working with students and sharing her passion for the arts. As a sound engineer... Read More →

Sunday March 15, 2026 10:00am - 11:15am PDT
Estella 2113

Workshop, Audio

1:15pm PDT

AMA with a sound designer & engineer

FILLING

Sunday March 15, 2026 1:15pm - 2:30pm PDT

Estella 2113

Limited Capacity filling up

Join us for an exciting AMA with professional sound designer and engineer Julia Pinhey, who has worked on countless large scale productions including the recent Jesus Christ Superstar starring Cynthia Erivo at the Hollywood Bowl. Students can ask questions about troubleshooting live sound issues, advice on upcoming productions, working with high-profile performers, how to get started in the industry, or anything else production related!

Teaching Artists