3 hours
Frank Thompson Hall
Free Tickets Available
Sat, 14 Jun, 2025 at 01:00 pm to 04:00 pm (GMT-04:00)
Frank Thompson Hall
2241 Dunn Avenue, Raleigh, United States
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: 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. Room 300 | 40 Minutes | Seated Event | 1:00pm
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. Costume Shop | 30 minutes | | Seated Interactive Event | 1:00pm, 1:45pm, & 3:15pm
Info: 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. Rehearsal Hall 150 | 35 Minutes | Interactive Event | 1:15pm
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. Front Lobby | 30 Minutes | Walking Tour | 1:15pm & 2:30pm
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. Kennedy-McIlwee Studio Theatre | 45 Minutes Seated Event | 1:15pm & 2:45pm (latter in Rehearsal Hall 150)
Info: 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. Front Lobby | 25 Minutes | Walking Event | 1:30pm, 2:15pm, & 3:00pm
Info: Hear from resident designers about their journey from script to sketch, sketch to diagrams, and shop to stage in this Q&A session. Titmus Theatre | 25 Minutes. | Seated Event | 1:30pm
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. Scene Shop | 25 Minutes | Standing Demonstration | 1:30pm, 2:15pm, & 3:30pm
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. Costume Shop | 30 minutes | | Seated Interactive Event | 1:00pm, 1:45pm, & 3:15pm
Info: Applied theatre methods bring people together and allow everyone access to the value of storytelling in shared space. We 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 | 45 Minutes | Interactive Event | 1:45pm & 3:15pm
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. Rehearsal Hall 150 | 40 Minutes. | Interactive Event | 2:00 pm
Info: Hear the untold stories of what it is like to be a working theatre creator in Raleigh. Join a local arts journalist as they chat with the director, cast, and creative team of Blithe Spirit. Be sure to bring your own questions. Titmus Theatre | 40 Minutes | Seated Event | 2:00pm
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. Backstage 20 Minutes | Walking Tour | 2:00pm & 2:45pm
Info: 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. Front Lobby | 25 Minutes | Walking Event | 1:30pm, 2:15pm, & 3:00pm
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. Scene Shop | 25 Minutes | Standing Demonstration | 1:30pm, 2:15pm, & 3:30pm
Info: TBD: Design Room 300 | 25 Minutes. | Seated Event | 2:30 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. Front Lobby | 30 Minutes | Walking Tour | 1:15pm & 2:30pm
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. Rehearsal Hall 150 | 30 Minutes Seated Event | 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. Backstage | 20 Minutes | Walking Tour | 2:00pm & 2:45pm
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. Costume Shop 304 | 25 Minutes. | Seated Event | 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. Backstage 20 Minutes | Walking Tour | 3:00pm & 3:30pm
Info: 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. Front Lobby | 25 Minutes | Walking Event | 1:30pm, 2:15pm, & 3:00pm
Info: Hear the untold stories of what it is like to be a working theatre creator in Raleigh. Join a local arts journalist as they chat with the director, cast, and creative team of Dial M for M**der. Be sure to bring your own questions. Kennedy-McIlwee Studio Theatre | 45 Minutes | Seated Event | 3:15 pm
Info: Applied theatre methods bring people together and allow everyone access to the value of storytelling in shared space. We 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 | 45 Minutes | Interactive Event | 1:45pm & 3:15pm
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. Costume Shop | 30 minutes | Seated Interactive Event | 1:00pm, 1:45pm, & 3:15pm
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. Scene Shop | 25 Minutes | Standing Demonstration | 1:30pm, 2:15pm, & 3:30pm
Info: Accent workshop: What do actors need to understand to master an accent different from their own? Learn some quick tips and tricks for how to hear the variations in placement, cadence and tone that can help you unlock new accents! No experience or preparation necessary. Rehearsal Hall 150 | 30 Minutes | Interactive Event | 3:30 pm
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. Backstage| 20 Minutes | Walking Tour | 3:00pm & 3:30pm
Also check out other Arts events in Raleigh, Theatre events in Raleigh.
Tickets for TheatreFESTival 2025 can be booked here.
| Ticket type | Ticket price |
|---|---|
| NC State Community | Free |
| Public Tickets | Free |
We have gathered all the information for you in one convenient spot, but please keep in mind that these are subject to change.We do our best to keep everything updated, but something might be out of sync. For the latest updates, always check the official event details by clicking the "Find Tickets" button.
