University Theatre pulls back the curtains again for our free and casual open house inviting the greater community to go behind the scenes and see the magic of live performance. Numerous theatre companies will be onsite with give-aways and information about their upcoming seasons. Events, presentations, and backstage tours occur throughout the afternoon on the quarter-hour. Check out all University Theatre and the greater Raleigh theatre community has to offer with this one-day, free event.
Registration
TheatreFESTival is free, however attendees will need to register prior to attending or at the door. To avoid lines, we encourage attendees to register in advance.
Hear the untold stories of what it is like to be a working actor in Raleigh and what it takes to learn all those lines. Join local radio host Wayne Leonard, WHUP-FM Light’s Up, as he chats with the director and cast of Blithe Spirit. Be sure to bring your own questions.
Titmus Theatre
40 Minutes. Seated event.
2:00 pm
Times are subject to change without notice.
Hear the untold stories of what it is like to be a working theatre creator in Raleigh. Join local arts journalist Lauren Van HEMERT, Beltline to Broadway, as they chat with the director, cast, and creative team of Dial M for Murder. Be sure to bring your own questions.
Titmus Theatre
40 Minutes. Seated event.
3:15pm
Times are subject to change without notice.
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 backstage by scene shop doors.
Backstage 20 Minutes Walking Tour
Dial M for Murder
2:00 & 2:45pm
Blithe Spirit
1:00 & 2:45pm
Times are subject to change without notice.
While Blithe Spirit offers comedic entertainment around séances and spirit communication, real spiritual practice is far more nuanced than portrayals often suggest. Join Erin Harker, professional medium and founder of Magick Makers, for an exploration that separates fact from fiction, shares the true experiences of modern practitioners, and offers practical insights into the world of mediumship and spiritual communication.
Whether you’re curious about the metaphysical, skeptical but open-minded, or somewhere in between, this accessible workshop creates a welcoming space for questions, learning, and discovery. Perfect for the minds who appreciate both wonder and wisdom.
Titmus Theatre 45 Minutes Seated Event
limited to 30 – first come-first-serve
3:15pm
Times are subject to change without notice.
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 choreographers and actors utilize in bringing a stage fight to life. Come with questions for this experience.
Kennedy-McIlwee Studio Theatre and Rehearsal Hall 150 45 & 40 Minutes Seated Event
1:15pm & 2:30pm
Times are subject to change without notice.
Acting Basics
Acting Basics: How do actors go from page to stage? What are the tools every actor should have in their toolbox, and how do they access them? Learn fundamentals of storytelling from the audition phase through opening night and beyond. No experience or preparation necessary. 35 Minutes | Interactive Event | 1:15pm & 2:00pm
A Voice Workshop
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 or preparation necessary. 30 Minutes | Interactive Event | 2:00pm
Rehearsal Hall 150 Interactive Events
Acting Basics
1:15pm
A Voice Workshop
1:45pm
Times are subject to change without notice.
Mia Self and Jayme Mellema discuss the creative process they follow as they move a production from concept to performance. They will discuss prioritizing the meaning of the play over the logistical needs so the directorial and design choices are rooted in more than a functional space or visual aesthetics. The goal of the collaborative process is performance and production alignment and to immerse the audience in the meaning of the play.
Design Room 300 40 Minutes Seated Event
1:00pm
Times are subject to change without notice.
Hear from resident designers about their journey from script to sketch, sketch to diagrams, and from shop to stage in this Q&A session.
Various Locations (see below) 25 Minutes. Standing Event
Costume Design
2:45pm
Costume Shop
Lighting Design
1:30pm
Titmus Theatre
Times are subject to change without notice.
Explore applied theatre methods for building community with diverse audiences
Applied theatre methods bring people together and allow everyone access to the value of storytelling in shared space. Join Dr. Michelle Hayford as you will play together and share stories using Theatre of the Oppressed methods to find respite in human connection through storytelling with text and image work.
Classroom 300 40 Minutes Interactive Event
1:45pm
Theatre within memory care
Discover how theatre, storytelling, and improvisation can foster joy and connection across generations and abilities. Join Amy Sawyers-Williams, facilitator and founder of See Saw Projects, to explore playful, participatory techniques used to co-create stories and performances with people in memory care settings.
Classroom 300 40 Minutes Seated Event
2:30pm
Embroidery-101
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. Costume Shop | 40 Minutes | Seated interactive event
Costume Shop 30 Minutes Seated Event
1:00pm, 1:45pm, & 3:15pm
Times are subject to change without notice.
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.
Front Lobby 30 Minutes Walking Tour
1:15pm & 2:30pm
Times are subject to change without notice.
Tour Frank Thompson Hall, our 1925 building, and see how one of the first homes of the WolfPack BasketBall Team was transformed into the home of University Theatre. Led by former Vice Chancellor Dr. Thomas Stafford.
Watch our Shopbot CNC machine (computer numeric control) in action with a live demo. Learn how it was used for our current production and see examples from some of our previous shows.
Scene Shop 25 Minutes Seated Event
1:30pm, 2:15pm, & 3:30pm
Times are subject to change without notice.
Meet the companies of the greater Raleigh Area. The lobby is open 1-4pm
Beltline to Broadway, Burning Coal Theatre Company, Cary Players, Cary Playwright Forum, Durham Savoyards, Justice Theatre Project, NRACT, OdysseyStage, Pequod Productions, Pure Life Theatre, Raleigh Fringe Festival, Raleigh Little Theatre, Scapegoat Initiative, Sips and Scripts, Sweet Tea Shakespeare, Switch Theatre Company, The Durham Savoyards Ltd.’s, Theatre in the Park, Theatre Raleigh, Triangle Sketch Comedy Group!, WHUP FM Radio
1:00pm – 4:00pm
Grand Lobby
Times are subject to change without notice.
1/4
Theatre Raleigh
Beltline to Broadway
Burning Coal Theatre Co.
North Raleigh Arts & Creative Theatre
Pure Life
Raleigh Little Theatre
Theatre in the Park
Triangle Sketch Comedy Group
Sips and Scripts
Raleigh Arts Council
The Justice Theatre Project
Cary Players
WHUP FM
Vixen Theatre Co.
Switch Theatre Co.
Sweet Tea Shakespeare
The Durham Savoyards
Odyssey Stage Theatre
Pequos Productions
Raleigh Fringe Festival
The Cary Playwrights Forum
.
Funded in part by the City of Raleigh based on recommendations of the Raleigh Arts Commission.
