But the festival is not, and should not be solely the pride and joy of theatre students. Because theatre students spend the majority of their school year holed-up in AM to PM classes by day and rehearsals by night, this collaboration is particularly unique for us. Working with other artists in the institute frequently bolsters our current understanding of the theatrical process while simultaneously expanding our understanding of what theatre arts can encompass. Ideally, it also allows other members of the CalArts community the chance to see how their own aesthetics and mediums can be used theatrically. Ultimately the pieces emerge at various stages of completion.
Some performances feel like works in progress and others feel like finished plays.
The point of this entire endeavor, however, need not rest entirely in its outcome. In truth, the Festival is a collection of opportunities which each of its participants use to varying degrees. At its best, it is an outlet for the theatre students to either independently implement what they have been taught during the school year, or to explore a metier in the theatre arts other than the one they are trained in. It is a way for every student at CalArts to try their hand at conceiving a performance piece. It is one means through which the goal of creating and maintaining an integrated arts institute can be realized.