University of Toronto Drama Coalition
Drama Festival
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The Hart House U of T Drama Festival is an annual festival co-produced by the Drama Coalition and Hart House Theatre. DramaFest consists of an annual one-act competition and a monologue competition.
ONE ACT COMPETITION:
Since 2002, DramaFest only accepts original student-written works, serving as a showcase for U of T student playwrights. Students can submit their work independently or through one of the Drama Societies or clubs. DramaFest happens at Hart House Theatre over the course of multiple days in the winter semester. DramaFest is an adjudicated festival with awards. The festival will be going into its 30th year in 2022!
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MONOLOGUE COMPETITION:
New in 2021, the Monologue Competition was introduced as another element of the festival which takes place as a companion to the one-act competition. The Monologue Competition is a virtual submission event intended to provide all U of T students and artists with a platform to share and promote their enthusiasm for creativity, storytelling and theatrical performance. This second annual competition is a fun performance opportunity for U of T Students of all experience levels to increase accessibility and inclusivity in the campus arts community. The competition will provide in-coming and current students with a chance to share their passion for performance while receiving recognition for the expression oftalent and compete for fun and adjudicated awards.​
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Drama Festival Awards
PRESIDENT’S AWARD FOR BEST PRODUCTION
Presented to the producing company of the play that best combines the requirements for the other awards with professionalism in the Festival as a whole.
ROBERT GILL AWARD FOR BEST DIRECTION
Presented to the director who achieved the highest artistic and technical quality of transition from script to stage, and who expressed the clearest vision.
I.A.T.S.E. AWARD FOR TECHNICAL ACHIEVEMENT
Presented to the technical crew who best achieved an original and artistic design suitable to the play, and who best found unity with the director.
DONALD SUTHERLAND AWARD FOR BEST PERFORMANCE
This award was established after a generous donation by Mr. Sutherland and allows him the ability to continue to be engaged and updated on Campus Theatre and student engagement at Hart House Theatre. The winner of this award is photographed in the lobby on the day of the Awards Ceremony and is asked to write a letter to Mr. Sutherland regarding their experience in the Festival.
JANET BESSEY AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN STAGE MANAGEMENT
This award was established after a generous donation by Ms. Bessey and allows her the ability to continue to be engaged and updated on Campus Theatre and student engagement at Hart House Theatre. The winner of this award is photographed in the lobby on the day of the Awards Ceremony and is asked to write a letter to Ms. Bessey regarding their experience in the Festival.
ROBERTSON DAVIES PLAYWRITING AWARD
Presented to the writer who achieved the highest level of creativity, development and clarity of vision in an original script.
AWARDS OF MERIT
Presented at the discretion of the adjudicator.