Secondary Schools

TTA 2025 Annual Conference

The Tennessee Theatre Association (TTA) is proud to present two exciting opportunities for high school theatre students during the 2025–2026 school year. For the first time, TTA will host both the well-established One Act Festival and the launch of a brand-new Studio Theatre Festival. These events are designed to provide access to schools of all sizes and resources. Top adjudication ranking schools from each category have the opportunity to move on to the Souheastern Theatre Conference (SETC) in March.  Schools may enter both categories, but are limited to sending one production to SETC.

The TTA One Act Festival invites high school theatre programs to present complete one-act plays with up to 45 minutes onstage, from bare stage to bare stage. This longstanding festival showcases student work with full production elements and is adjudicated by theatre professionals who provide constructive feedback. The One Act Festival encourages artistic excellence, ensemble collaboration, and time management while offering a platform for programs to present fully realized performances.

Launching in 2025, the TTA Studio Theatre Festival is designed to expand access to meaningful performance experiences for schools across the state. Inspired by Southeastern Theatre Conference’s model, this new festival emphasizes storytelling over production scale, encouraging creative expression through simplicity and resourceful choices. Schools will perform 30-minute pieces with minimal technical elements, using standardized set pieces and limited props and costumes. With a 15-minute tech setup and 10-minute strike, the format is ideal for schools of all sizes and budgets. By minimizing technical demands, the Studio Festival promotes equity and invites broader participation from programs with limited resources.

The TTA Conference will also include college audition opportunities, giving students the chance to perform for university theatre representatives. Students can audition in Acting Musical Theatre, and Technical Theatre. These auditions allow students to explore postsecondary theatre training and connect directly with college recruiters.

One Act Festival Studio Festival comparison Summary

  • TTA One Act Festival: Traditional one-act play performances

    TTA Studio Theatre Festival: Minimalist performance emphasizing actor, script, and direction

  • TTA One Act Festival: Full sets, lighting, and sound allowed (within limits)

    TTA Studio Theatre Festival: Limited to TTA-provided set pieces only (no additional scenery)

  • TTA One Act Festival: None; schools bring their own (within space/time limits)

    TTA Studio Theatre Festival: 8 cubes, 1 table, 2 chairs (all black and unembellished)

  • TTA One Act Festival: 45 minutes total (bare stage to bare stage) (15 min tech earlier)

    TTA Studio Theatre Festival: 55 minutes total (15 tech, 30 performance, 10 strike)

  • TTA One Act Festival: Fully costumed productions allowed

    TTA Studio Theatre Festival: Only 1–3 focused costumes allowed; rest of cast in “retail blacks”

  • TTA One Act Festival: Props allowed, within storage and safety guidelines

    TTA Studio Theatre Festival: Only essential hand props in 18-gallon tote; no set dressing

  • TTA One Act Festival: Venue lighting used as available; basic cues supported

    TTA Studio Theatre Festival: Lights up/down only; no fades or spotlights allowed

  • TTA One Act Festival: Overall performance including tech and design

    TTA Studio Theatre Festival: Acting, directing, and storytelling only (tech not judged)

  • TTA One Act Festival: Must show rights and documentation for cuttings or originals

    TTA Studio Theatre Festival: Same, with emphasis on preserving story arc and author intent

  • TTA One Act Festival: Designed for full-scale school productions

    TTA Studio Theatre Festival: Designed for equity among schools with varied resources

  • TTA One Act Festival: Showcase a school’s full production capabilities

    TTA Studio Theatre Festival: Highlight storytelling with minimal production resources

Help us plan. Fill out this short Intent to apply form as soon as you decide to attend. Fill out HERE

Guidelines and Rubrics for both festivals HERE

Technical Information HERE

Adjudicator Bios HERE

College/University & Scholarship Auditions/Interviews Guidelines HERE

Where: Stewarts Creek High School 

When: Oct 24-25, 2025

Registration tntheatreassociation.ludus.com