Competition Details
Vocal Categories
All music tracks must be free of lead vocals. Backing vocals allowed. PNW Theatre Festival provides 4 headsets and 4 handheld mics with stands.
Acting Categories
Classical
Heightened Language: Mastery of Shakespearean and pre-20th-century text.
Vocal & Physical Rigor: Emphasis on formalized technique and clarity.
Textual Analysis: Deep understanding of period-specific dramatic style.
Contemporary
Contemporary Literature: Mastery of mid-20th century to modern texts.
Emotional Specificity: Focus on truthful behavior and authentic connection.
Active Objectives: Emphasis on clear goals and naturalistic circumstances.
All acting pieces must use age-appropriate language.
Musical Theatre Categories
Musical Theatre up to 1965
Pre-1965 Repertoire
Classic Vocal Technique
Traditional Style
Musical Theatre 1965 - 2000
- 1965 – 2000 Repertoire
- Contemporary Versatility
- Narrative Specificity
Musical Theatre 2000 - Present
- 21st-Century Repertoire
- Contemporary Vocal Styles
- Authentic Specificity
Dance Styles & Definitions
Jazz
High-energy style with strong technique (no more than 50% hip hop).
Hip Hop
Street-style dance with tricks and freestyle elements.
Open
Hybrid category blending multiple dance styles.
Tap Dance
Tap – Requires audible tap footwork. No pre-recorded tap sounds.
Training Levels
The PNW Theatre Festival is designed to foster fair and supportive competition by grouping performers based on training hours and overall experience.
These levels help ensure every artist competes with peers at a similar stage in their development.
Level placement is at the discretion of directors and coaches— please assign levels with honesty and integrity.
Foundational –
Emerging/Beginning Skill
- Training 6 hours or fewer per week
- Solo can be in any category
- A performer may register up to three solos
Intensive – Intermediate/Advanced Skill
- Training more than 6 hours per week
- Solo can be in any category
- A performer may register up to six solos
Entries & Time Limits
Entry Category
Time Limit
Solo (1)
Up to 3:15
Up to 3:45
Small Group (4 – 9)
Up to 4:00
Medium Group (10 – 19)
Up to 6:00
Large Group (20+)
Up to 7:00
Production (minimum 8 performers)
7:00 – 12:00
Production Numbers
- No age division for production numbers.
- All productions compete within their level (Foundational or Intensive) and genre (acting/vocal/etc).
Vocal Categories
All music tracks must be free of lead vocals. Backing vocals allowed. PNW Theatre Festival provides 10 headsets and 6 handheld mics with stands.
Acting Categories
Comedy
Light, humorous scenes.
Drama
Emotionally grounded, serious scenes.
All acting pieces must use age-appropriate language.
Dance Styles & Definitions
Jazz
High-energy style with strong technique (no more than 50% hip hop).
Musical Theatre
Theatrical style using Broadway or musical film repertoire.
Hip Hop
Street-style dance with tricks and freestyle elements.
Open
Hybrid category blending multiple dance styles (≤ 50% acrobatics).
Specialty
Includes character, cultural/ethnic, or novelty choreography.
Tap Dance
Tap – Requires audible tap footwork. No pre-recorded tap sounds. Tap Overalls will be awarded separately due to the unique nature of the style.
Age Divisions
(Age as of January 1)
- Mini (8 & under)
- Junior (9–10)
- Pre-Teen (11–12)
- Teen (13–15)
- Senior (16–18)
- Adult 1 (19-34)
- Adult 2 (35+)
Honors & Recognition
At the PNW Theatre Festival, recognition is rooted in growth, artistry, and community — not numerical ranking or traditional trophies. We believe the most meaningful acknowledgment an artist can receive is thoughtful feedback, professional mentorship, and the opportunity to deepen their craft.
Our honors celebrate exceptional artistry, artistic promise, and the collective spirit that defines our festival. Work is considered within the context of age category and training commitment, ensuring recognition uplifts artists without creating hierarchy or comparison.
Rather than ranking performers against one another, we invest in artists through mentorship, access, and intentional celebration of both individual and collective excellence.
Age Divisions
(Age as of January 1)
Spirit of the festival
The Spirit of the Festival Award honors the studio that best embodies the values at the heart of the PNW Theatre Festival. This recognition celebrates professionalism, collaboration, generosity, and positive presence — both onstage and throughout the festival weekend.
The award is presented to a studio that consistently demonstrates respectful engagement, strong ensemble values, preparedness, and a commitment to creating a welcoming, inclusive environment. Selection is based on observations across the full festival experience, with input from festival staff and adjudicators.
The Spirit of the Festival Award affirms our belief that how we show up matters — that artistry and excellence are inseparable from integrity, kindness, and care for one another.
Performance REcognition
Adjudication & Recognition
The PNW Theatre Festival emphasizes artistic growth over numerical ranking. Instead of traditional scores, all performances receive professional critiques and may be recognized with specific honors that celebrate the unique strengths of the work.
Professional Feedback
Every performance at the PNW Theatre Festival receives professional, written feedback focused on growth, clarity, and artistic development. Adjudicators tailor their critiques to each performer’s age and training commitment, offering insights that are constructive, specific, and supportive.
Special Awards
Judge’s Choice
Selected for memorable moments onstage.
Highest Scoring Routine in Star & Premier
Awarded to the top overall score and highest scoring routine within the Star & Premier level.
Top Choreography & Staging
Given to three routines with standout creativity or storytelling.
Triple Threat Awards
Performers competing in vocal, dance, and acting (one solo per discipline) are eligible.
Premier Triple Threat
- Open to all age levels.
- Must score 92+ in each routine.
- No extra registration needed.
Star Triple Threat
- Open to all age levels.
- Two out of three routines must be Star level with scores of 92+. No extra registration needed.
Performance Honors
Festival Artist-in-Residence Master Class
(Judge's Choice)
The Festival Artist-in-Residence Master Class (Judge’s Choice) is the highest honor of the PNW Theatre Festival. It recognizes performers whose work demonstrates exceptional artistry and compelling presence.
Selected artists are invited to an exclusive master class led by the festival’s Artists-in-Residence, offering small-group instruction and individualized feedback.
Artistic Director Coaching Honor
This honor recognizes performers who demonstrate strong artistic voice and creative potential. Recipients are invited to a private coaching session with the Festival’s Artistic Director, providing personalized feedback and focused artistic mentorship.
Artistic Coaching Honor
This honor recognizes performers who show thoughtful craft and readiness for deeper exploration. Recipients receive a private coaching session with one of the festival’s adjudicators, offering individualized professional guidance.
Studio Awards
Best Company
Highest average score in overall routines (15+ acts required).
Best Ensemble
Highest average in vocal routines (5+ acts required).
Best Cast
Highest average in acting routines (5+ acts required).
PNW Festival Award Winner
This signature award recognizes studios that show excellence across all three genres (dance/tap, vocal, acting).
Studios must enter 5 routines per discipline. Highest average wins. Studio Spirit Award
Given to the studio that exemplifies professionalism, teamwork, positivity, and all around excellence—on and off the stage.
Let the PNW Theatre Festival be your stage to shine, inspire, and grow. We can’t wait to see your artistry come alive in 2026—and beyond!