The highlight of the Festival for the Secondary School Division is its One-Act Play Festival, where each year about thirty productions are performed. After judging, the best are invited to the Southeast Theatre Conference's annual festival. In addition, high school juniors and seniors as well as community college students audition for as many as twenty-five colleges and universities (see list to the left) for scholarships, as well as attend numerous workshops and activities.
The Theatre for Youth Festival is held on Saturday at the annual Festival. Last year, three theatre for youth organizations presented productions for the public.
The Community Theatre Festival, which is co-sponsored by the Florida Association of Community Theatres, last year presented three productions at the Youkey Theatre in Lakeland. The winner of the Community Theatre Festival is invited to compete at the Southeast Theatre Conference's annual festival. In addition to this Festival, the Community Theatre Division has a yearly Spring Fling where members have an opportunity to exchange ideas and learn from other producing organizations in the state.
Every year approximately sixty workshops are presented at the Festival for its members. These offer learning opportunities for everyone – high school students, college students, teachers, and producers. Highlights from past festivals include: swing dancing, Tech Olympics, improvisation, computerized drafting, and an "FTC's Got Talent!" competition.
Every year the festival invites colleges and universities to participate in a College Expo, where secondary students and their guardians can meet to discuss continuing education opportunities in the arts. Last years attendees are listed to the left.
Each year the Florida Theatre Conference awards two scholarships to deserving secondary students, who will be continuing their education in Florida.
Members of FTC receive our newsletter, "Florida Theatre," three times a year via e-mail. The newsletter includes articles on organizations and people making an impact on the Florida theatre scene. It also gives a comprehensive listing of Florida theatre productions.
If you would like to join the Florida Theatre Conference, simply download the Individual Registration Form found in the left hand column, complete, and mail with your check.
Thank you for your interest in the arts in Florida, and your support for the mission of the Florida Theatre Conference. We look forward to you joining our extended arts family.
