La Tortuga and the Hare
Trike Theatre
2023 Submissions
Join us at the Lexington Children’s Theatre on March 2, 2023, for the Theatre for Youth Invitational Festival. To submit your production for consideration, read the important details on this page, then click the red “Submit Now” button.
About the Festival
The TFY festival strives to highlight, promote and enhance the quality of theatre for young audiences by presenting professional and/or amateur productions that embrace the broadest possible range of genres and styles, and by subsequent adjudication of those productions. The SETC TFY Invitational Festival is a non-competitive exhibition of theatre produced for or by young audiences by companies during the annual Convention.
Over the last quarter century, the TFY Festival has showcased more than one hundred works to more than 25,000 young people. As part of the annual SETC Convention, the festival brings together Artist and Audience, Playwright and Publisher, Performer and Producer to explore the infinite world of Theatre for Youth and to work with and get feedback from some of this country’s preeminent figures in the field.
Timeline
Festival Submissions Open:
September 1, 2022
Submission Deadline:
November 1, 2022
Acceptance Notifications:
December 1, 2022
TFY Festival:
March 2, 2023
Fees
There is no cost for performing organizations and individuals; however, Convention registration and SETC membership is required to attend other Convention events Convention registration opens on Oct. 13, 2022
Who Selects Productions?
SETC Theatre for Youth Chair Octavia Biggs and Vice Chair Rebecca Yeager lead the selection process for performances to produce a program that is varied in type, origin, intention, audience and geography. Shows are selected on a juried basis. All accepted or declined shows will be notified via email. If your show is selected, you will receive a time slot for your production with further instructions. Each approved applicant will receive one 60-minute time slot to perform.
Festival productions may be (but are not limited to) the following:
- Stage Productions
- Puppet Theatre
- Paper Theatre
- Original Work
Festival selection is based on the following criteria:
- Preference shall be given to companies within AL, FL, GA, KY, MS, NC, SC, TN, VA, and WV. (Festival Selection Committee shall have the discretion to make exceptions.)
- The reputation of the organization.
- The choice of the play to be presented.
Important Details for Theatre for Youth Festival Participants
Submission Requirements
Organization Information
- Website
- Logo
- Contact Person (title, email, phone, address)
- Brief History
- If accepted, proof of performance rights
Play Information
- Title, Playwright
- Director, Stage Manager
- Cast and Crew Size
- Names and Emails of All Company Members
- Target Age Group
- Script PDF
- Brief Play Description
- Production Photo(s)
General Guidelines
Run Time: Each production is limited to a maximum runtime of 60 minutes.
Audience: Your audience size could range from 20 to 100 people. If your production contains content that may not be suitable for all audience members, please note this on your application and on your flyers at the convention site.
Applications: All applications must be submitted via the online application by November 1, 2022.
Responsibilities
SETC Responsibilities: SETC is ONLY responsible for presenting the show, which means we will provide you with a venue, time slot, and assist with publicity.
Festival Participant Responsibilities: It is the responsibility of the artist or producing company to secure appropriate rights and royalty contracts, travel accommodations, staff, crew, run rehearsals, etc.
Publicity
SETC will assist you with publicity by publishing your promotional materials on its website and through social media outlets and publications.
We encourage you to create flyers/postcards to promote your show. Posters and flyers can only be put up in approved locations and with blue painter’s tape. Any marketing pieces distributed at the Convention must be approved. To get approval for distribution or assistance with publicity please contact Program Manager, Bradley Branham at Bradley@setc.org.
Technical/Production
Minimal Technical Assistance: Please keep your technical requirements to a minimum. The venue is typically a ballroom that is equipped with general stage lighting, a sound system, a 20’ x 16’ riser stage, back drape, and theatre seating. Performers are not mic’d unless the group brings their own equipment.
Production Manager: A production manager will be on site to assist you, but you will be responsible for the initial set-up and for providing your own technician should you need to run sound or lighting cues.
Rehearsals in performance space: Due to time constraints on the space, no rehearsal time in the performance space is scheduled for Theatre for Youth Festival performances. Prior to the convention, you will receive a schedule from the production manager outlining available times to be in the space for general acclamation.
Load-In/Load-Out: Typically, 30 minutes are allocated to the end of one production prior to the beginning of the next. This 30-minute window is a shared time for you to load your show on stage while the previous show strikes. There are no exceptions to this policy.
Storage: There will be minimal storage backstage space. Prior to your performance, you will be provided storage on a temporary basis. Space is shared with other performing groups. Please do not plan for long-term storage of props and equipment.
Shared Spaces: In addition to your show, there will be other festival shows and events in the same space throughout the day. Please be conscious of time and space. The maximum runtime for a show is 60 minutes with an additional setup of 15 minutes and a strike of 15 minutes.
