December 03, 2003

Teen talent hits the stage in
annual high school drama-fest

California State University, Sacramento will play host to the largest high school drama event of its kind for the 48th year when the 2004 Lenaea Festival opens Jan. 30. More than 1,000 high school students are expected to participate in plays, monologues and duets during the three-day festival at venues throughout the University.

The Lenaea Festival

The student performances are critiqued by CSUS professors and other acting professionals to assist the burgeoning actors with the development of their craft. Festival events run from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday, Jan. 30 and from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 31 and Sunday, Feb. 1. Honors for acting, directing, writing, design and production are presented during an exciting awards ceremony at the festival’s close.

“This is a high-powered, three-day, intensified period of performance and learning in which students, teachers and staff take away moments they will remember for the rest of their lives,” says festival spokesperson Scott Adams. The festival is named after the ancient Greek theatrical celebration of the god Dionysus.

Lenaea Logo

Nearly 70 high schools were represented in last year’s festival. This year the festival will take on a particular poignancy with the passing of CSUS theatre professor Robert Smart in August. Smart had been the “life and soul” of the festival since the early ‘90s. The 2004 Lenaea Festival is dedicated to his memory.

Schools may register for the festival until Jan. 9. Festival performances are open to the public, and $5 day and $10 weekend passes are available. For more information, call (916) 278-6702. Media assistance is available from CSUS public affairs at (916) 278-6156.

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