The Northwest Indiana Excellence in Theatre Foundation (NIETF) is proud to introduce the inaugural Third Coast Theatre Fest, June 11-20, 2021. Due to the Covid protocols in place while planning was underway, the festival will be held virtually this year meaning people from across the country can participate directly from their internet enabled device.
The fest features recorded, virtual, and livestream productions by a selection of NIETF member theatres including:
- Gary Shakespeare Company’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream”
- Genesius Guild’s “The Video Gamapalooza”
- Hammond Community Theatre’s “The Big Bad Ugly”
- Improductions’ “The Grid”
- L’arc en Ciel Theatre Group’s “Wedding Belles”
- Regional Performing Arts Company’s “Now. Here. This.”
- Valparaiso Theatrical Company’s “Mom Cole’s”
- CPCT’s “Trial By Jury”
- Selections from 4th Street Theater’s “10 Minute Play Festival”
- A rebroadcast of NIETF’s Virtually “Offcast revue show”
Full festival passes are available at www.thirdcoasttheatrefest.org for $50 and provide watch links to all festival shows. Funds will be distributed to each participating theatre in order to help them weather the pandemic closures and reopen strong. Ticket purchasers can make additional donations to further their support.
Most shows will be available for on-demand viewing throughout the fest June 11-20, 2021. Certain shows are only available on select days or at specific times due to licensing restrictions or due to the livestreaming nature of the production. See website for full info www.thirdcoasttheatrefest.org
“NIETF had been planning to launch a full scale theatre festival last year, similar to the Chicago Theatre Week or Indy Fringe Fest, building on several years of our Theatrepalooza event,” said Becky Jascoviak, NIETF President. “Covid cancelled our plans last year, but with the ongoing closures of theatre venues, we felt it critical to move forward with it this year, if even virtual.
Their theatres provide critical arts resources across the region, but almost all do not qualify for any of the government support enacted over the past year. They are reliant on donations and volunteer support. The community can support these region assets with a festival pass purchase as funds will be shared with participating theatres.”
The Third Coast Theatre Fest is produced by the Northwest Indiana Excellence in Theatre Foundation and made possible by the generous support of Indiana Arts Commission, and Indiana Dunes Tourism.