Vocal Categories

Classic Broadway
Contemporary Broadway
Pop / Rock (not from a musical)
Classical (not from a musical)
Jazz (not from a musical)
Open (not from a musical)

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.  

REGISTER Soon!

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

Duo/Trio (2 – 3)

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).
REGISTER Soon!

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+)
REGISTER SOON!

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.

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.

Performance Honors

Judges' Choice Recognition

Each adjudicator may recognize individual performers within each session for standout work, artistry, and presence.

Encore Performance Invitations

One routine per Performance Session will be invited to present their work during the Closing Ceremonies on Sunday, May 17th from 4:30 – 5:30pm

Adjudicator Coaching Invitations

Each adjudicator will select one routine per performance session to receive a dedicated half hour coaching session on Sunday following the Closing Ceremony. 

ARtistic Director Coaching Invitation

The Artistic Director will select one routine across the weekend to receive a focused coaching session on Sunday following the Closing Ceremony.

Festival Artists-in-residence Master Class Invitations

Select students will be invited to participate in small-group master classes with Festival Artists-in-Residence Caitlin Kinnunen and Thayne Jasperson following the Closing Ceremony.