All students aged 13 to 19 across the S.D. & G. and Prescott-Russell area — are welcomed to submit a school one act entry. This is a final opportunity to submit a school entry to the 80th annual One-Act Play Festival, now known as the NTS DramaFest.
This year’s festival will be hosted at Russell High School from March 30 to April 1, 2026. Kevin Kennedy, drama teacher at Russell High School, is looking forward to hosting and reviving this long-standing theatrical tradition.
Al Merizzi, Seaway District NTS DramaFest Coordinator & SLSS teacher, will be accepting submissions from area schools until February 18, 2026 (deadline). We have 5 spots left for this year’s edition. “At its peak, the festival featured 19 entries over a five-day period back in 2007,” Merizzi noted. “Since COVID-19, we’ve been working on trying to make the NTS DramaFest relevant to all secondary students once again.”
Every school production will receive professional adjudication along with constructive feedback and recognition. Also, students who shine in their commitment to theatre and their school’s performing arts program will be invited to apply for various scholarships that are offered through this program.
From this year’s district festival, up to two productions will be selected to advance to the Regional Festival, to be held at Queen’s University in mid-April. Historically, some of our UCDSB schools have continued from the Regionals to the Provincial Showcase, demonstrating the strength of drama programs in our region.
NTS DramaFest welcomes and challenges ALL students to explore a wide range of theatrical roles, including Actors, Stage Managers, Makeup Artists, Lighting & Sound Technicians, Stagehands, Playwrights, Set and/or Costume Designers, and Directors.
A Proven Launchpad for Talent
Many well-known Canadian performers began their journeys at secondary school drama festivals, including Rachel McAdams, Eugene Levy, Sandra Oh, and many others.
For more information about participating in the NTS DramaFest, please contact Al Merizzi at [email protected] or visit the NTS (National Theatre School) website at www.ent-nts.ca/en/intro-nts-dramafest-ontario.