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Walking into SETC 2026, I hoped for a conference that would reignite my passion for theatre, storytelling, and the power of creative community—and it did exactly that. SETC …

At a time when everyone is thinking of Spring break and summer vacations, I would like you to consider the cool days of Fall. There is a specific kind of magic that settles …

The first time a playwright walks into a conference like SETC, there’s often a quiet question sitting just beneath the surface: Is there a place for me here? For years, the …

When I think about what makes SETC special, I keep coming back to the importance of gathering. 

The Department of Theatre and Communication Studies (TCS) at Clark Atlanta University is proud to host the Theatre Symposium community in May. We hope this is the beginning of …

Do you feel it? There’s excitement in the air! SETC’s 77th Annual Convention is just over a month away, and we can’t wait to welcome you to Chattanooga, Tennessee. …

Being invited to audition at SETC is a special and unique experience. Not only is SETC the largest theatre convention of its kind in the U.S., it’s also a true “one-stop …

A few years ago, I attended a New Works festival as an industry guest artist, offering feedback from my perspective as an actor. One piece in particular stood out. It was an …

Fringe exists to make space for work that doesn’t fit neatly into predetermined categories, for artists willing to take risks, and for stories that feel urgent, personal, or …

Navigating a convention as dynamic and wide-ranging as the SETC Annual Convention can feel overwhelming, in the best way. With hundreds of workshops, auditions, panels, …

Walter Shipley served as President of the Southeastern Theatre Conference (SETC) in 1994. During that time, we were both on the Executive Committee together—I was SETC …

Jeremy Kisling has taught, directed, and performed for young people for over 30 years. He is the Producing Artistic Director at Lexington Children’s Theatre. He received his …

The National Outdoor Theatre Conference, held under the umbrella of the Southeastern Theatre Conference (SETC), brought together theatre professionals, educators, and …

As part of the National Conference on Outdoor Theatre (NCOT) in Bardstown and Louisville this October, attendees had the unforgettable opportunity to experience Kentucky …

At the 2025 National Conference on Outdoor Theatre (NCOT) in Bardstown, KY, two distinguished honors, the Scott J. Parker Volunteer Award and the Mark R. Sumner Award, were …

The Stephen Foster Story, written by Pulitzer Prize winning Playwright Paul Green, is an outdoor symphonic drama based on the life and music of American composer Stephen …

Theatre in the Southeast region has long been a place of innovation and groundbreaking new works. Professional theatres such as the Alliance Theatre in Atlanta, Georgia; …

As autumn approaches, SETC is buzzing with activity and forward momentum. One of our most important initiatives this season is the search for our next Executive Director. With …

Volunteering for the Southeastern Theatre Conference (SETC) was more than giving back—it transformed my connection to the theatre community and opened unexpected doors. After …

Tupelo (MS) Community Theatre (TCT) fulfilled a long-held dream in June 2025 when its production of Tone Clusters by Joyce Carol Oates was honored as the Outstanding Overall …

In 1986, Zelda Fichlander wrote an article for American Theatre Magazine describing the journey of building a long-lasting theatre institution with her husband and her mentor …

In September of 2024, Hurricane Helene caused widespread damage in North Carolina and throughout the Southeastern Coast.