Theatres: Theatre Festivals
Seattle
Bumbershoot
Theatre Performances
One Reel & AEG Live
c/o Theatre Puget Sound
Attn: Bumbershoot Application
911 East Pike, Suite 206
Seattle, WA 98122
(206) 770-0370
Contact: Shane Regan, Program Manager.
Since 1971, Bumbershoot has featured music, film, comedy, spoken word, dance, theatre, performance, and visual artists which draw over 85,000 visitors to Seattle Center each Labor Day weekend.
One Reel in collaborating with AEG Live produces the Bumbershoot Festival. The Center Theatre/Carleton Playhouse at Seattle Center hosts three days of regional theater co-curated by Theatre Puget Sound (TPS).
- Bumbershoot seeks theatrical presentations 30–75 minutes long.
- Suggested performance types include late night shows, season showcase performances, solo shows, puppet theatre, cabaret, theatrical comedy and youth-oriented shows.
- Performers should check both Bumbershoot and TPS websites for information on how to become involved.
Moisture Festival
PO Box 17484
Seattle, WA 98127
(206) 297-1405
moisturefestival.com/booking.html
Contact: Ron W. Bailey, Producer.
Founded in 2004, The Moisture Festival is a Comedy/Varietè festival featuring highly skilled performances mixed with many bizarre talents—often humorous—with no limit to the imagination.
Presented as a variety show, each act or artist performs his/her routine within a 3-15 minute time slot while being accompanied by a live show band. Acts and performers include aerialists, jugglers, comedians, dancers, rope acts, bubble acts, clowns, acrobats, can can girls, strong women, strong men, tap dancers, drill teams, musical numbers, etc.
Bookings are by invitation and open in October for the upcoming festival usually held in March and April.
Seattle Festival of Improvisational Theater
c/o The Historic University Theater
5510 University Way NE
Seattle, WA 98105
(206) 781-3952
Founded in 2002, the Seattle Festival of Improvised Theater is a four-day event that attracts improv groups from all over North America. SFIT usually takes place in two different venues–the Historic University Theater (home of Jet City Improv) and The Market Theater (home of Seattle Theatersports).
Seattle Outdoor Theater Festival ( SOTF)
c/o GreenStage
PO Box 9594
Seattle WA 98109
(206) 748-1551
The Seattle Outdoor Theater Festival is presented each year by GreenStage. SOTF began in 2001 when GreenStage, Theater Schmeater, and Wooden O Productions joined forces to bring a full weekend of live free theatre to Volunteer Park in Seattle.
Since then the festival has grown to include three stages and host fourteen performances by eight local theater companies. Current participating companies are posted on the website. Each manages its own auditions and casting. [See also Ch 1: Theatres: Shakespeare & Ch 1: Theatres: Summer Stock)
SketchFest™ Seattle: The World’s Original Sketch Comedy Festival
PMB 773
1122 E Pike St
Seattle, WA 98122-3934
facebook.com/sketchfestseattle
Contact: Randall Cleveland, Artistic Director.
SketchFest Seattle is the world’s original sketch comedy festival and has established a reputation for presenting the best and most original comedy from around the globe.
Since 1999, Sketchfest has promoted sketch comedy as a performing art by providing a venue for groups to network and showcase their talent. Festivals are held in early Fall. For Festival application, check the website.
SketchFest also offers comedy writing and performing workshops and classes throughout the year. Check the website or follow them on Facebook for updates.
Penisula and the Islands
The Actors Theatre of Orcas Island Annual Spring Playfest
PO Box 1198
Eastsound, WA 98245
facebook.com/TheActorsTheaterOfOrcasIsland
Contact: Doug Bechtel, President.
Since 2005, the Actors Theatre’s annual “Festival of Ten Minute Plays” or “PlayFest” showcases short plays written by local playwrights, directed by local directors and acted by local actors. Festival welcomes new playwrights with two to four of the seven plays each year from first time playwrights. Playfest will also consider unpublished full length plays that have had one previous full production. Send a synopsis, cast summary, production requirements and production history. (See Ch.1: Community Theatre)
Greater Washington
Icicle Creek New Play Festival (PP)
Mailing address:
Box 2071
Leavenworth, WA 98826
Performance space:
Snowy Owl Theater
7409 Icicle Road
Leavenworth, WA 98826
(509) 548-6347 or toll-free 1 (800) 265-6026
icicle.org/performances/icicle-creek-new-play-festival
Contact: Allen Fitzpatrick, Artistic Director.
Founded in 2007, playwrights come to Icicle Creek Center for a week of intensive workshopping with the support and help of a skilled team of theater professionals. The week ends with a presentation of the plays and feedback to the playwrights.
The new plays then go to ACT in Seattle as part of ACTLab, where they receive feedback from Seattle audiences. Casting for this Festival is through ACT Theatre’s casting office. Send headshot, resume and cover letter indicating interest in the Festival to Margaret Layne at ACT Theatre.
Actors are also welcome to send headshot & resume to Artistic Director Allen Fitzpatrick at: [email protected].