This summer, the annual performing arts festival SparkFest returns to the Near Southside for the third time – and it’s bigger than ever! SparkFest 2023 will introduce a Texas-wide “Van Cliburn Festival” style acting competition with $18,000 in cash prizes for the finalists. The competition will be limited to MENASA actors and artists. 

“For years I’ve dreamed of hosting an acting competition that would not only reward actors for their years of training and experience but that would also allow audiences to see the brightest Texas talent. There is a perceived absence of MENASA talent in the area, and this further limits the opportunities available to them. By showcasing them, we hope to introduce artistic leaders to more actors and thus encourage all of us to include their stories in our seasons.” -Kathleen Culebro, Amphibian Stage Artistic Director

The remainder of the festival will focus on the development and showcasing of new plays, supplemented by other engaging events. In 2021 and 2022 SparkFest included Light up the Runway (a Project Runway-style fashion show), a puppetry workshop, a comedy workshop for beginners workshop, stand-up comedy performances, and much more. Details on the acting competition and festival lineup will be announced in early 2023.