DirectFest: Review and Recap Written By: Janaya Buckley

DirectFest was an event held on April 24 and April 25 starting at 7:30 P.M. and lasted about two hours. It’s a one act play festival with multiple miniature plays all directed by the students as part of Directing One Class at Hardin-Simmons University (HSU) as the last shows of the 2025-2026 school year. In this play the students were allowed to direct their own 10 minute play. In total there were eight plays; four plays back to back, each with one director, a 15 minute break in between and then four more plays. Combined it was a bunch of miniature performances in one show. 

Both the actors and directors did a wonderful job and created an encapsulating experience for the audience to enjoy. Opening night had over 150 people in attendance to this show, including students and outside guests. The audience feedback was incredible, as the shows were popular among the audience for their variety and diversity. 

From a slice of life comedy about two girls who grapple through teenage high school drama to college and adulthood, to a dark-comedy about a magical Christmas fairy who murders not one, but two little girls after one of them wishes for her sister dead in the name of a Christmas wish, to a country inspired act about a man who grapples with the alleged murder of another man, to another comedy-slice of life about a college girl who struggles with loneliness and finds solace in the most unexpected of places - her advanced AI robot, to a comedy about two competing candidates interviewing for the most physically demanding and mentally exhausting job at Build-A-Bear Workshop. 

All eight shows had their own signature set to compliment 

their play. With each usually starring two or three main characters, allowing all focus to go to their development and arcs, which is vital for the short amount of time allotted for each performance. That is not only important but also a good choice narratively that reflects back on the directors and shows that they are truly skilled in their craft. Overall, DirectFest was a hit among the audience, and each and every production had their own charming brilliance worth appreciating.