Ongoing

• Volunteer to be a Production Respondent (shows viewed August 22 - November 15, 2024) 
• Email: PlaySelection@ihstf.org for more information, of simply fill out the link above!

August 2026

• August Posting – Check the website for new information
• On August 17,  the following registration forms and applications will open:
• • School Registration Form
  • Exhibitor & Ads Registration Form
  • Workshop Application
  • Production Application
• First day to respond to Full-Length & Showcase Productions
• College Auditions Information Posted: Your school must complete the school registration process to receive the link  for students to submit for an audition.

September 2026

• September 25:  DUE: Production Application Closes: In order to be considered to bring your production to Festival, all fees and forms related to the production application must be turned in by this date. This is the last day to request a refund for a Production.

October 2026

• October 9: Productions performed prior to this date must give 3 weeks' advance notice (email playselection@ihstf.org)
• October 16: DUE: School Registration - ONLY for schools submitting shows for consideration
• October 30: DUE: School Registration - If you submit the school registration form by October 30th, that does not mean you are accepted to Festival. The order in which all required materials are received is the order each school is ranked and accepted until capacity is reached. We normally fill to capacity several days if not a week prior to the deadline. The form will remain open as we do have a wait list. On November 25th, we will accept schools off the wait list until final capacity is reached.
• October 30: DUE: Administrative Support Award Nominations Form
• October 30: DUE: Workshop Application
  
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November 2026

• November 2:  Last day to request a refund for School and Exhibit Registration – no refunds will be provided after this date
• November 13: DUE: Exhibitor Registration
• November 13: DUE: Ads for Festival program
• November 13: DUE: College Audition Application, Resume Form, Payment (The link to apply for College Auditions will be emailed to the school primary sponsor once they complete the school registration process.)
• November 13: Last day to respond to productions. 
• November 13: Last day to request a refund for a College Audition Application – no refunds will be provided after this date.
• November 13: DUE: Director Response Form – ONLY for schools submitting a production for consideration. (The link to the Director Response Form will be emailed to Production Schools from the Directors of Auditions.)
• November 14: Directors of submitted shows must be available by phone (1:00 pm–5:00 pm)

December 2026

• December 11: DUE: Digital slide show submissions
• December 16: Post preliminary Festival schedule
• December 6:Technical meeting for selected productions at University of Illinois
• TBD: DUE: Pre-Registered Workshop Sign-up (including Tech Olympics)
• TBD: DUE: Pre-Registered Show ticket Sign-up

January 2027

• January 7-9: Illinois High School Theatre Festival at University of Illinois