Why Audition For PlayFest 2026?

‍Short Commitment
‍Rehearsals begin September 14
Performances only the first three weekends of November
Short plays mean shorter rehearsal requirements
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‍Multiple Casting Opportunities
‍Actors may be cast in more than one play
Opportunity to play contrasting characters
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‍Creative Playground
‍Detectives
Criminals
Witnesses
Femme fatales
Victims
Con artists
Suspicious neighbors
Hard-boiled narrators
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‍Great for New Actors:
Lower time commitment than a full-length show
Opportunity to work with multiple directors and writers

This year's theme is Noir.

Here’s why noir works for a short play:

1. Tight structure: Noir thrives on suspense and a quick buildup to a twist or moral reckoning — perfect for 15 minutes.
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2. Strong atmosphere: You can create a mood quickly with lighting, music, and
stylized dialogue rather than needing big sets or long exposition.
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3. Small cast: Most noir stories center on 2–3 characters —— which keeps
production simple.
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4. Emotional intensity: Noir’s focus on desperation, secrets, and betrayal gives
actors a lot to work with in a short time.
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5. Stylization: You can lean into noir tropes (voiceovers, shadows, cigarette
smoke, hard-boiled one-liners) in a self-aware or modernized way.

Rehearsals:
Presbyterian Church in St. Helena
September 14 - October 30
Mondays and Wednesdays  7 pm - 10 pm
Fridays  6 pm -10-pm
Saturdays 10 am -1 pm

‍Tech:
Grace Church
6 pm - 10 pm
(Per weekend of Performances)
Nov. 3, 5  First Weekend
Nov. 10, 11 Second weekend
Nov. 17, 19  Third weekend

‍Performances:
Grace Church
November 6–8, 2026
November 13–15, 2026
November 20–22, 2026
Actors call is 6 pm on Fridays and Saturdays
12 pm on Sundays  

Additional Audition Information

We strongly encourage women, persons of color, and LGBTQ+ individuals to audition. We are committed to equity, diversity, and inclusion in all areas of our work.