MAIN STAGE GUIDELINES
Not updated for 2025-26 at Parkland
PA THESFEST 2025-26
MAIN STAGE PRODUCTIONS
Troupes are responsible for all costs associated with bringing a show to present at ThesFest. ANY changes you wish to make to the script (lines, casting, etc) MUST have been requested for through the publishing company and that permission letter must be sent to the Chapter Director by early Nov or you will not be permitted to perform.
In order for a Troupe to be allowed to present a Main Stage show at ThesFest, a royalty payment must be paid (or waived).
Please submit the ROYALTY AFFIDAVIT FORM. This must be received no later than (TBD) for you to be able to perform your show at ThesFest.
Main Stage shows will provide a virtual program.
The State Board does not feel that it is their function to act as a censor in determining what is or what is not appropriate to perform at ThesFest. We are aware that what is acceptable in one school district may be found totally inappropriate in another. Therefore, we ask that directors consider carefully the language and content of anything they plan to perform at ThesFest, remembering that we are mainly composed of knowledgeable, but impressionable, students ages 13 and up, with a thirst for quality theatre. A troupe should not perform anything at TheesFest that would not be acceptable on their own stage and that has not been performed before a home audience. In addition, where questionable language, action, or theme will be presented, a warning will be given with the program notes and play introduction.
The Board has instituted the following for Schools that present work that raises concerns....
Level 1) Written notice identifying discrepancies from your content statement and the response to performance.
Level 2) School and/or Director not allowed to perform for 4 years at ThesFest.
Level 3) Troupe and/or Director not allowed to participate with the PA ThesFest for 1 or 2 years.
Your personnel will run your entire show - sound, lights, fly*, load in, strike, etc.
(* - IF Conference staff determine your personnel can safely handle this)
PA THESFEST 2025-26
MAIN STAGE PRODUCTIONS
Troupes are responsible for all costs associated with bringing a show to present at ThesFest. ANY changes you wish to make to the script (lines, casting, etc) MUST have been requested for through the publishing company and that permission letter must be sent to the Chapter Director by early Nov or you will not be permitted to perform.
In order for a Troupe to be allowed to present a Main Stage show at ThesFest, a royalty payment must be paid (or waived).
Please submit the ROYALTY AFFIDAVIT FORM. This must be received no later than (TBD) for you to be able to perform your show at ThesFest.
Main Stage shows will provide a virtual program.
The State Board does not feel that it is their function to act as a censor in determining what is or what is not appropriate to perform at ThesFest. We are aware that what is acceptable in one school district may be found totally inappropriate in another. Therefore, we ask that directors consider carefully the language and content of anything they plan to perform at ThesFest, remembering that we are mainly composed of knowledgeable, but impressionable, students ages 13 and up, with a thirst for quality theatre. A troupe should not perform anything at TheesFest that would not be acceptable on their own stage and that has not been performed before a home audience. In addition, where questionable language, action, or theme will be presented, a warning will be given with the program notes and play introduction.
The Board has instituted the following for Schools that present work that raises concerns....
Level 1) Written notice identifying discrepancies from your content statement and the response to performance.
Level 2) School and/or Director not allowed to perform for 4 years at ThesFest.
Level 3) Troupe and/or Director not allowed to participate with the PA ThesFest for 1 or 2 years.
Your personnel will run your entire show - sound, lights, fly*, load in, strike, etc.
(* - IF Conference staff determine your personnel can safely handle this)
- MOVE IN - There is a (strict) 2 hour on stage/move in set up time for your show. This will begin about 2 ½-3 hours before your scheduled start time (TBA, but that is pretty close.) All of your rigging, lighting, final assembly, move in must be done during this relatively small window of time.
- LOAD IN - There is no scene shop in which to unload set, costumes, props, etc. prior to moving onto the stage. Please know that your load in time will be given to you and will be determined by the time schedule of the ThesFest and host facility. This has proven a challenge when trucks arrive at ThesFest on their time schedule and not the ThesFest's schedule. You need to make arrangements with your truck driver to be available several hours before your production and then after your production for load out.
- STRIKE – You have 1 hour to strike and load out your set. This includes sound, lights, set, costume, dressing rooms, clean up, etc. This also includes load back on to your truck. Your truck must be available to reload during your Strike. Please plan on taking your set back to your home school to dispose of it. What comes with you, returns with you!
- LIGHTING – Lighting is pretty much set and you will need to use what is provided. You will have the opportunity to focus a few instruments. This must be done during your Move in and then reset during your Strike. You could conceivably change the gel on some lighting instruments, but again, this will have to be done in your limited Move in and Strike time. Additional lighting information will be sent closer to the ThesFest. (lighting and writing cues is usually the biggest challenge schools have getting done in the set up time)
- RIGGING –
It is at the sole discretion of the ThesFest host to determine if an object may be flown – safety is of prime importance at all times. You have the opportunity to hang and fly soft goods and some set pieces. Every item that is flown or hung must be fire proofed (if fabric). It will be up to the ThesFest Tech Director whether your personnel may operate the fly system.
- TECH PERSONNEL – It is your responsibility to supply the tech personnel to load in, set up, run, strike and load out your show. The ThesFest TD will determine if your personnel will be allowed to operate the fly bar. If not, ThesFest personnel will operate the fly (being cued by your personnel.)
- SOUND – You may bring your own sound board and tie it into the ThesFest system, or you may use the ThesFest sound board. If you want to use wireless microphones, you are encouraged to bring your own equipment. It is possible that you may be able to use ThesFest wireless equipment (limited supply), however that conversation must take place at least a month in advance of the ThesFest.
- PIT ORCHESTRA – You need to plan on bringing all the instruments, music stands, cables, cords, etc that you will need for your production.
- RESPONDERS – After your performance, you will be responded to by our PA State Main Stage responders. We suggest that your cast and crew may want to sit in on this session where you will get verbal and written feedback. This process is intended to give positive reinforcement and constructive suggestions. Most schools have found this to be a very productive and helpful feedback. Unfortunately, this does eat into your Strike time (especially if your schedule strike is tight). Some schools have people being Strike right away while part of their crew is sitting in on the responders.
- COMMUNICATION – obviously this is a large endeavor for you as well as the host facility. The conference will be managing many productions in a very cramped time. The more you can communicate with the ThesFest Tech staff in advance, the better we can assist you with your various needs. Waiting until your 2 hours load in to discuss options really cramps your production and limits what the ThesFest Tech Staff can do to assist you.
- LOAD IN - There is no scene shop in which to unload set, costumes, props, etc. prior to moving onto the stage. Please know that your load in time will be given to you and will be determined by the time schedule of the ThesFest and host facility. This has proven a challenge when trucks arrive at ThesFest on their time schedule and not the ThesFest's schedule. You need to make arrangements with your truck driver to be available several hours before your production and then after your production for load out.
- STRIKE – You have 1 hour to strike and load out your set. This includes sound, lights, set, costume, dressing rooms, clean up, etc. This also includes load back on to your truck. Your truck must be available to reload during your Strike. Please plan on taking your set back to your home school to dispose of it. What comes with you, returns with you!
- LIGHTING – Lighting is pretty much set and you will need to use what is provided. You will have the opportunity to focus a few instruments. This must be done during your Move in and then reset during your Strike. You could conceivably change the gel on some lighting instruments, but again, this will have to be done in your limited Move in and Strike time. Additional lighting information will be sent closer to the ThesFest. (lighting and writing cues is usually the biggest challenge schools have getting done in the set up time)
- RIGGING –
It is at the sole discretion of the ThesFest host to determine if an object may be flown – safety is of prime importance at all times. You have the opportunity to hang and fly soft goods and some set pieces. Every item that is flown or hung must be fire proofed (if fabric). It will be up to the ThesFest Tech Director whether your personnel may operate the fly system.
- TECH PERSONNEL – It is your responsibility to supply the tech personnel to load in, set up, run, strike and load out your show. The ThesFest TD will determine if your personnel will be allowed to operate the fly bar. If not, ThesFest personnel will operate the fly (being cued by your personnel.)
- SOUND – You may bring your own sound board and tie it into the ThesFest system, or you may use the ThesFest sound board. If you want to use wireless microphones, you are encouraged to bring your own equipment. It is possible that you may be able to use ThesFest wireless equipment (limited supply), however that conversation must take place at least a month in advance of the ThesFest.
- PIT ORCHESTRA – You need to plan on bringing all the instruments, music stands, cables, cords, etc that you will need for your production.
- RESPONDERS – After your performance, you will be responded to by our PA State Main Stage responders. We suggest that your cast and crew may want to sit in on this session where you will get verbal and written feedback. This process is intended to give positive reinforcement and constructive suggestions. Most schools have found this to be a very productive and helpful feedback. Unfortunately, this does eat into your Strike time (especially if your schedule strike is tight). Some schools have people being Strike right away while part of their crew is sitting in on the responders.
- COMMUNICATION – obviously this is a large endeavor for you as well as the host facility. The conference will be managing many productions in a very cramped time. The more you can communicate with the ThesFest Tech staff in advance, the better we can assist you with your various needs. Waiting until your 2 hours load in to discuss options really cramps your production and limits what the ThesFest Tech Staff can do to assist you.
Revised