Direct Fest 2025 by: Hope Menken

As the 2024-2025 school year wraps up, the Hardin-Simmons University Department of Theatre is still hard at work to bring its last production of the year: Direct Fest 2025.    

This production is similar to Straight Outta Scotland from earlier this year. There will be five, 15-minute shows that will run back to back and be performed on May 2 and 3 at 7:30 p.m. in the Downstage Center Theatre (DCS). There will be a minute-long “blue-out” to switch sets between each of these. During that time, the audience needs to stay seated as set pieces will be moved.

These shows are directed by those currently taking directing with Dr Victoria Spangler, associate professor of theatre. This is a free event and it is open to all students, staff faculty and the public. DCS only has 62 seats, so be sure to arrive early or reserve your seat beforehand. This can be done through the link at the end of this article. There is a $1 service fee for reserving.

“I’m most excited to see all the shows young directors have put together. A lot of work goes into directing a show, and these being our first solo-directed shows, we are excited to display the art we and our actors have put together,” Kennan Dowling, a junior strategic communications major from Weatherford and director of Fridge by Jennifer O’Grady. “Each show has a message to tell. Mine communicates the theme of everyone being a little broken, but working together and everything turning out alright. I want people to take that to heart and not let the past, culture, or current situations hinder them from being what they want to be.” 

“I am most excited for people to come see all the hard work the casts and directors have done. People should come because every show is only about 15 minutes, and each one is different but captivating,” Rachel Mastic, a junior theater education major from Granbury and director of The Maltese Walter by John Minigan, said. 

The HSU directing students look forward to sharing their directing debut with you and look forward to seeing you at the 2025 Direct Fest.

Link to reserve seats: https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.hsutx.edu%2Facademics%2Fundergraduate-majors-minors%2Ftheatre-degrees%2F&data=05%7C02%7Czhm2302%40hsutx.edu%7C5cfae4aca9c7490c37cd08dd872b12d6%7Cbb808cefbb5b40a49f32a661be269ceb%7C0%7C0%7C638815341258198598%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=BjSF0LogdsxyTJE5472fBzBFPXFsQh3blXBRTSEeY4U%3D&reserved=0