The CETA Middle Stage Fest, now in its twenty-fifth year, is an exciting event for middle school drama students. Unlike involvement in sports, it is rare for theatre students to have the opportunity to meet peers from other schools, share their passion, showcase their talent, and learn from one another. This festival brings together hundreds of students to do just that. We’ll celebrate the anniversary of this fabulous event on Saturday, March 28—the day after World Theatre Day!

Middle Stage Fest will continue to combine the best elements of a virtual gathering with the live and in-person experiences so many of us crave. Teachers and students may choose the participation level they are most comfortable with.  As part of the festival, students perform monologues, scenes, and songs from musical theatre, and create theatrical designs. Teachers will submit their students’ work for adjudication by or before March 3rd, so our panel of judges can score and provide individualized constructive feedback for each entry. 

Registration Coming Soon!

Description:

On the festival day, students get to connect with other young artists and share their experiences in theatre during workshops and games. The event will culminate with an awards ceremony where students will be awarded gold, silver, and bronze medals for their work, and we all get to see the best performances and designs in each category.

Competition:

Individual students may enter up to two of six categories: 

  • Monologues: 1 minute maximum

  • Duos: (2-person scenes) 3 minutes maximum

  • Groups: (3-or-more-person scenes) 5 minutes maximum

  • Musical Theatre Solos: 1 minute maximum

  • Musical Theatre Duets: (2-person songs) 3 minutes maximum

Design: (Set, Costumes, Props, or Make-up) 1 image & 1 paragraph statement

 

March 28, 2026 Festival Schedule:

Location: Katherine L. Albiani Middle School

9140 Bradshaw Road

Elk Grove, CA  95624

Your Students Will :

  • perform, create, and see other students’ creative work,

  • interact with students from other schools,

  • participate in professionally-led theatre workshops,

  • receive recognition (in-person attendees will receive a CETA T-shirt, in-person contestants will earn medals based on their adjudication scores, and digital certificates will be available for teachers to share and/or print for their students),

  • create great P.R. for your program, and

  • end the day excited about theatre!

Procedure:

Performance entries (the first five categories) will be recorded on video. Performances must be conducted under audition conditions.  No costumes or sets. If required by the scene, small hand props are acceptable. 

Design entries will consist of an image (drawing /photo) and a design statement (1-paragraph rationale) describing a costume, makeup, prop, or set design.

All work will be submitted by the educator via Google forms and is due no later than midnight on Tuesday, March 3, 2026.

Direct Inquiries to:

CETAMSF@catheatreed.org 

Festival Director: Michelle Campbell mmcampbe@egusd.net

MSF Committee Chair: Amy Caston acaston@catheatreed.org

Registrar: Carol Hovey chovey@catheatreed.org