What is this festival?
For about 40 years, Fullerton College has held a high school theatre festival as an outreach effort to support young performers, technicians, and designers on their educational journey. In response to the evolving landscape of theatre education and industry demands, the festival transitioned in 2024 to focus exclusively on technical theatre. Traditionally, technical areas are often seen as secondary to performance in most festivals, despite the fact that the majority of stable, well-paying jobs in entertainment are on the technical side. We wanted to create a festival that not only celebrates young technicians, designers, and stage managers but also encourages them to pursue exciting career paths within the entertainment industry. To support this vision, we introduced new and relevant competition categories, increasing visibility for these essential roles.
Staying true to our educational mission, we have integrated a variety of workshops designed to bridge the gap for high schools that have limited or no technical theatre faculty. These workshops are offered free of charge to any high school student or instructor who wishes to participate, ensuring that valuable educational experiences are accessible to all. Our goal is to inspire and educate the next generation of technicians, designers, and stage managers, while also providing much-needed support to high school theatre teachers who often face challenges due to limited resources and overwhelming responsibilities.
The festival is proudly run by a dedicated team of many current and a few past Fullerton College students, who bring their passion, expertise, and firsthand experience to the event. Their involvement not only ensures the festival’s success but also fosters a strong sense of community and mentorship within the world of technical theatre.
Am I the right person to help out?
As this is an outreach initiative, we view our external workshop participants and judges as partners in training the next generation of young technicians and designers. We are actively seeking individuals with industry knowledge to help us inform high school students about the various trades and career pathways available in the entertainment industry for those trained in technical theatre design and production. Many of our partners are alumni, but that is not a requirement.
We expect our partners to approach this opportunity with positive and educational mindsets, fostering an encouraging environment that inspires students to explore and pursue careers in the technical aspects of theatre and entertainment. By working together, we aim to provide valuable insights and guidance that help shape the future of the industry.
If this sounds like you, then please come help us out! Your expertise and enthusiasm can make a real difference in the lives of these young students.
What is the background the festival is looking for in judges?
We are looking for judges who are working professionals with relevant industry experience, particularly those who are alumni of Fullerton College or are employed by organizations that frequently hire our students. This includes professionals from well-known entertainment companies such as Disney, Knott’s Berry Farm, and members of industry unions like IATSE 504. We aim to provide students with feedback and guidance from individuals actively working in the field, ensuring they receive valuable insights from experts who understand the current demands and standards of the industry. This approach not only enhances the educational experience but also helps students make meaningful connections with potential mentors and employers.
What should I expect after I register?
Upon clicking the submit button on the registration page, you should receive an automatic confirmation email. This email means you have officially been added to our database for this year. You should receive an Agreement through email within a week after registration. This is an Adobe Sign document sent by our department admin. Please take action to sign the agreement as soon as possible since it must be signed, initialed, and processed by the college prior to the festival date. Without the signed agreement on file with the college we cannot have you judge for us.
Once the registration site closes, you will receive additional information such as a more detailed schedule of events and parking information. Anyone with outstanding paperwork will be personally emailed as the paperwork deadline approaches so that we don’t miss anyone.
I don’t know how to use Adobe Sign
- Upon receiving the Adobe Sign document via email, click on the link labeled “Click here to review and sign”
- Once Adobe Sign has opened click on the yellow “Start” tag.
- Fill out the yellow highlighted areas. You can use the yellow “Next” tag to go to the next area to be filled out.
- When ready to sign, click on the signature area. A pop-up window will appear, and you will have 4 options on how to sign: Type, Draw, Image, or Module. You can choose your preferred method at the top of the pop-up window.
- Click “Apply” to add the signature to the document.
- When ready to submit, press the “Click to Sign” button at the bottom of the page.
- Additional help can be found at: Adobe Sign Video Tutorial
What do you do when you judge?
Following check-in, a short orientation session will provide you with specific information about the judging processes. This is also an opportunity to ask any questions or address any concerns you may have. After orientation, complimentary lunch and/or breakfast will be available before the competition rounds and workshops begin.
When judging a category, you will rank every entry, and those rankings will be tabulated to determine the finalists. We ask judges to provide constructive comments, as these will be shared with the participants at the end of the festival to support their growth and development. In addition, we encourage judges to take a moment to offer positive and constructive feedback publicly following each presentation, as this immediate feedback is valuable for participants. We aim to have two to three judges in each round to ensure a well-rounded and fair evaluation.
When do I get paid?
Our payments typically take some time to process due to the administrative procedures of the college. Generally expect to receive payment through the mail 6 to 8 weeks following the festival. While we do everything possible to expedite the process, please understand that much of it is beyond our control. We appreciate your patience and understanding as we work through the necessary steps to ensure timely payment.
Do I have to be paid?
When you register, you have the option to volunteer your time without receiving payment. If you choose this option, the college requires you to fill out a pro bono form, allowing you to help us out without compensation. Just like those who are being paid, there is some paperwork involved to ensure everything is processed correctly. We greatly appreciate your willingness to support the festival in this way.
Which categories need judges?
- 20 – Tech Olympics
- 21 – Lighting Design
- 22 – Costuming Design
- 23 – Graphic Design
- 24 – Scenic Design
- 25 – Makeup Design
- 26 – Sound Design
- 27 – Stage Management
What workshops are we offering?
Every year, we offer a wide variety of workshops and panel discussions. While some of our traditional panels are offered annually, as they focus on navigating and working in the industry, our workshops rotate to provide participants with new skills each year they attend. Workshops are typically centered around skill acquisition, giving students hands-on experiences and practical knowledge. In contrast, panels are designed to offer industry insights and guidance on career acquisition, helping participants better understand career pathways and opportunities within the entertainment industry. This combination ensures a comprehensive educational experience that supports both technical growth and professional development.
Specific workshops and panels for this year can be found during the registration process.