A Note from Your New Vice President of Festivals

by Darren Michael

(he/him)

VP of Festivals

I can’t believe it’s been more than three decades since I first attended an SETC. As a theatre student at a small university in Arkansas, my best friend and I piled into my Honda Civic hatchback and drove from Arkadelphia to Washington, D.C. That first convention blew my mind. It was a core memory—and I’ve been hooked ever since. 

Over the years, I’ve been part of SETC in so many ways: auditionee, instructor, workshop presenter, committee member, task force member, Getchell Award chair, and Playwriting Interest Group leader. And, most importantly, I’ve made so many friends along the way. So many wonderful, talented people. SETC has enriched my life in countless ways, and I continue to grow as an artist because of this organization. 

This year, I find myself in a new role as Vice President of Festivals, and I couldn’t be more excited. As we begin this new chapter under SETC’s new governing structure, I hope we can think creatively about how our festivals can grow, open new opportunities, and meet the challenges facing theatre today. 

Whether you’re a high school theatre teacher introducing students to the larger theatre community, a student discovering what might be possible for your future, a community theatre artist sharing your work with your neighbors, or a professional artist building your career, you have a place at SETC—and I am here to serve you. 

This spring, we head back to Lexington, Kentucky—one of my favorite host cities! I look forward to attending every festival. And what an incredible lineup we have: SIX festivals! The Short Play Festival, Community Theatre Festival, Secondary School Festival, Studio Festival, Fringe Festival, and Theatre for Youth Festival showcase the remarkable breadth of theatre being created across our region and beyond. 

My hope is that every one of you finds something at these festivals that inspires you, challenges you, connects you with new people, or reminds you why you fell in love with theatre in the first place. 

So, please join us in Lexington. Come to the festivals. See some theatre. Meet some people. Take a chance on something new. 

And if you see me, please don’t forget to say hello—and tell me if there is anything I can do for you. 

Let’s all go to the theatre!