Sacred Heart University’s Theatre Arts Program is preparing for another year of TheatreFest. TheatreFest is a three-round process in which students write their own scripts, read them in front of a live audience and can turn them into full plays.
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Round one is a Reader’s Theatre from Nov. 5-8 that gives playwrights their first chance to hear their script spoken aloud. Senior Adam Petrosino, the New Works chair of the Theatre Arts Program, has watched TheatreFest evolve, both as a writer and a leader.
“For TheatreFest round one, we accept any script or playwright,” said Petrosino. “As long as they have the intention to continue developing their show and promise a product by round one, bring it on!”
Petrosino has seen the quality of shows get better over time, which he credits to the script development process. He believes hearing the script aloud is crucial to that growth.
“Many new playwrights can fall into the trap of thinking that once their script has actors, that you shouldn’t change anything, when that should really be the time to change things the most,” said Petrosino. “Hearing the script out loud is an integral stage of development, and this year, I hope to urge our writers to experiment with their scripts once it’s heard aloud.”
Round Two moves shows into a stripped-down black box production. When choosing which shows advance past rounds one and two, Petrosino looks for strong intention and drive in plots, characters and dialogue. He works alongside Director of Theatre Justin Zenchuk.
The most common issue he sees is dialogue that feels out of place. His advice is to read your own text aloud.
“Often, just hearing the words spoken can signal places that feel disconnected,” said Petrosino.
Sophomore Michael Russo is bringing a fresh perspective to TheatreFest. His experience last season pushed him to write and lead his own production.
“I was previously involved in TheatreFest as an actor last year,” said Russo. “I performed in ‘SOUL BOUND,’ written by Abby Hilke, which got to round two. Being a part of TheatreFest was really exciting for me, especially as someone who has always been a huge fan of student-led productions, and inspired me to try writing and leading a production of my own.”
“I have a very visual way of playwriting,” said Russo. “Generally, I like to imagine the scene playing out in my head and emphasizing physical motifs.”
For Russo, the hardest part has been choosing which ideas to develop. He must fit everything into a tight 30–45-minute plot.
“I have been surprised with how powerful-seeming banal moments can be within a show,” said Russo. “Not everyone has to be the most interesting person to be compelling.”
Russo is also a musician who composes his show’s music.
“The writing informs the music,” said Russo. “I compose music in a very mood-centric way. I like to evoke certain emotions and vibes that emphasize dramatic moments. Writing music for this show has been such a genuine blast!”
Round three puts a small group of shows in full production, complete with lights, sound and costumes. Sophomore Hannah Peterson, who acted in TheatreFest last year, is eager to audition again.
“I was in one show for round one, and then I was put into another show for round two that was a musical,” said Peterson. “Memorizing lines and also new music after being a part of a different show was pretty hard, along with the fact that the script is pretty much always changing.”
Despite these challenges, Peterson is looking forward to this year’s festival. “It’s so amazing seeing original student shows become full-blown productions!” said Peterson.
