KZMU Presents: the 2022 Radio Play Festival

As we enter our 30th year, KZMU is approaching our annual radio play a little differently. This will be our 7th year presenting live, local, radio theater and in the spirit of auspicious celebration, we’ve got something special planned. 

Instead of writing, producing, and presenting a single radio play with a designated cast and crew, we’re adapting the classic amateur film festival model to allow multiple teams of community members, both local and regional, to create and produce short radio play vignettes. COVID-permitting, these vignettes will be played in front of a live audience, with accompanying live Q&A panels and specially designed visuals. We are really leaning into the radio element of this and emphasizing the engagement of the imagination of the mind and to that end, there will be some visual components of the event, but little to no live acting.

The live event will take place at Star Hall on Saturday, April 9th. In the months leading up to that, KZMU will be offering radio play workshops for both adults and students. 

Click Here for Radio Play Festival Registration

KZMU’s 2022 Radio Play Festival requires no experience and no professional equipment! There are no auditions and teams can be made up of any amount of people – even if it’s just one! This unique format will allow for more accessibility and diversity and for some true radio magic to happen!

Sound like something you want to try? Here are the details you need to know:

• Not sure how to start? KZMU will offer a free community workshop at the end of February. Stay tuned for details;
• Registration for teams opens February 1st and closes March 15th, 2022. Final pieces will be due to KZMU by Friday March 25th. Look for the registration link at kzmu.org;
• A “team” is defined as any one person or group of people committed to submitting a 5-7 minute finished audio theater piece;
• To qualify as an entry, pieces must adhere to FCC regulations and be appropriate for a wide range of ages. More details will be available at registration link;
• Entries must also include Foley (hand-made sound effects) and at least one voice. They may also include produced sound effects and original (or copyright-free) music; 
• Teams will be granted a stipend for production;
• Teams will have access to professional editing and recording equipment from KZMU;
• Teams can reserve time with KZMU staff for production support

Whether you want to participate as a team or simply sit back and enjoy some highly creative audio theater, there is a lot to look forward to. Want to get a head start? Contact serah@kzmu.org or call 435-259-8824.