The 2026 West Virginia Thespian Festival (WV ThesFest) is set to take place March 26–28 at the Canady Creative Arts Center on the campus of West Virginia University in Morgantown, WV. Hosted by West Virginia Thespians, the festival will once again bring together high school theatre programs from across the state to celebrate performance, creativity, and student talent.

Each year, WV ThesFest serves as a central gathering point for thespians across West Virginia, offering students the chance to perform, compete, and grow alongside peers who share the same passion for theatre. From first-time performers to seasoned competitors, the festival creates an environment where students can both showcase their work and learn from others.

Attendees can expect a wide range of activities throughout the weekend, including:

One-Act Performances: School troupes will present fully staged productions, competing and sharing their interpretations with audiences from across the state.

Workshops: Led by theatre professionals and educators, workshops will cover topics such as acting, improv, technical theatre, and stage production.

Thespy Awards: Students will compete in individual events like monologues, duet acting, and design, with top performers earning recognition at the state level.

Networking Opportunities: The festival provides a space for students to connect, collaborate, and build friendships within the theatre community.

“I’m really looking forward to everything,” Brooklyn Johnston, a Senior going on the trip, said. “It’s one of the only times where everyone is just there for theatre, it makes it feel more important.”