MTCA 2026 FESTIVAL ITINERARY
MTCA 2026
MEDIA PACKAGE
MTCA 2026 - Media Package includes The MTCA Opening Celebration, The MTCA Finale Direct from Broadway Finale Performances, Road to MTCA, Festival highlights video, and photos captured throughout the MTCA festival weekend. A link to download the media package will be emailed to the address on file on March 15, 2026
LOCATION DETAILS
MTCA 2026 Musical Theatre Festival
Feb 5th - Feb 8th, 2026
Festival
Feb. 5 - 7, 2026
Anaheim Hilton
777 W. Convention Way
Anaheim, CA 92802
Award Ceremony
Feb. 8, 2026
11:00 am
Knott's Berry Farm, Walter Knott Theatre
8039 Beach Blvd
Buena Park, CA 90620
MTCA CHAPERONE & OBSERVER INFORMATION
MTCA Festival Wristband Requirement
ALL individuals attending any MTCA Festival Event and/or Competition MUST purchase and wear an official MTCA Festival Wristband at ALL times. This includes students, directors, parents, and chaperones. Wristbands are valid only when attending with a registered group and a participating student. PURCHASE HERE
Chaperone & Observer Options
All Access Wristbands $345.00
Provides access to Thursday - Sunday competition and events, including Awards at Knott's Berry Farm.
Festival-Only Wristbands $220.00
Provides access to Thursday, Friday, and Saturday competition and MTCA
Festival events.
Awards Ceremony Only Wristband $125.00
Provides access to Knott's Berry Farm and the MTCA Awards Ceremony. Limited availability.
Due to space limitations, some masterclasses and all production rehearsals are closed to parents and chaperones.
THE MTCA BOX OFFICE
LOCATED ON THE 2nd FLOOR LOBBY
At THE MTCA BOX OFFICE, you can:
- Purchase MTCA Festival T-Shirts & Merchandise, including Festival T-Shirts and items from the exclusive MTCA 2025 Glitter Logo Collection. A limited selection of spirit wear will be available during the Festival, while supplies last.
- Purchase an MTCA Festival Chaperone Wristband, available in limited quantities and sold on a first-come, first-served basis.
- Lost and Found
- Festival Information
FESTIVAL SCHEDULE
Thursday, February 5th
Check In | MTCA College Panel & Fair | Open Call
Friday, February 6th
Opening Celebration | Competition | Masterclasses | Adjudication
Saturday, February 7th
Competition | Masterclasses | Adjudication | Direct from Broadway Finale I Student Dance Party
Sunday, February 8th
Award Ceremony at Knott's Berry Farm, Walter Knott Theatre
LETS GET SOCIAL
We will be posting information here and on Instagram @mtcaofficial. Please follow us to stay informed. We also love to see and share in your amazing experiences at the MTCA Festival. Please post and tag us so we can follow your #mtca2026 journey.
- Instagram: @mtcaofficial
- TicTok: @mtcaofficial1
- Facebook: @mtcaofficial
BUY MEDIA PACKAGE
MTCA 2026 - Media Package includes The MTCA Opening Celebration, The MTCA Finale Direct from Broadway Finale Performances, Road to MTCA, Festival highlights video, and photos captured throughout the MTCA festival weekend. A link to download the media package will be emailed to the address on file on March 15, 2026
DIRECT FROM BROADWAY
This year, we are thrilled to welcome:
KARA LINDSAY and CAROLINE BOWMAN
as the MTCA 2026 Direct from Broadway Guest Stars!
As part of the MTCA experience, Broadway performers and teaching artists engage with students throughout the festival, providing invaluable insight, feedback, and education. All students are invited to participate in exclusive Broadway and Industry talkbacks.
On Saturday night, our Broadway Stars will take the stage in the MTCA Finale with students cast from the MTCA Open Call.
THE FINALE
Saturday, February 7th
8:00 PM
All the worlds of Oz collide as MTCA students take the stage with our Direct-From Broadway Stars Kara Lindsay and Coroline Bowman.
Featuring the Open Call Production Numbers and Special Performances by Kara and Caroline, the Finale is a high-energy celebration of theatre, talent, and the unforgettable journey shared at MTCA.
You must purchase a wristband to attend; availability is limited.
EXPLORE MTCA 2026 EVENTS
Saterday Night
MTCA 2026 SPECIAL OPPORTUNITY CAST LISTS
ANNOUNCEMENTS
THE OPENING
FRIDAY 8:00 AM MTCA MAIN STAGE LOCATED
IN THE PACIFIC BALLROOM
Friday we start the day with the MTCA Opening Celebration. We premiere The Road to MTCA, a video spotlighting groups on their journey to the festival, and make one of the biggest announcements of all—the official cast lists from Thursday’s
Open Call auditions.
THE FINALE
SATURDAY 8:00 PM MTCA MAIN STAGE LOCATED
IN THE PACFIC BALLROOM
All the worlds of Oz collide as MTCA students take the stage with direct-from-Broadway stars Kara Lindsay and Caroline Bowman. Featuring the Open Call production numbers and special performances by Kara and Caroline, the Finale is a celebration of theatre, talent, and the unforgettable journey shared at MTCA.
MTCA COLLEGE PANEL & FAIR
CALL ALL HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS & PARENTS
Join us on Thursday, February 5, 2026, at 4:00 pm at the MTCA Festival to meet representatives from Colleges, Universities, and Conservatories all specializing in the performing arts and more.
You must register for this event before the MTCA Festival begins. This is for High School Students, Parents, and Directors Only.
SPACE IS LIMITED
THE AWARDS CEREMONY
The MTCA 2026 Award Ceremony
Sunday, Feb. 8th | 11:30 AM
Knott's Berry Farm, Walter Knott Theatre.
The MTCA Awards Ceremony celebrates the hard work, artistry, and growth of students and programs from across the festival. Outstanding achievements in group performances, individual categories, and technical theatre are recognized, honoring storytelling, collaboration, and excellence in musical theatre
MTCA 2026 ADJUDICATORS
FUTURE EVENTS
MUSICAL THEATRE COMPETITIONS OF AMERICA
Musical Theatre Competitions of America is thrilled to provide a platform where these extraordinary talents can thrive and be recognized. With twenty-plus years in the business, Musical Theatre Competition of America is the collective force behind two industry-leading events:
MTCA Musical Theatre Festival and MTC Triple Threat Competition.
Mark your calendars and don't miss the chance to be a part of the #1 Educational Musical Theatre Festival in the Nation, MTCA.
Are you a Triple Threat? Explore what the MTC National Musical Theatre Competition is all about, learn more HERE
Want to stay informed, then please complete and submit the MTCA interest form.
Be the first to receive information on registration for all upcoming MTCA events.
LEARN MORE ON OUR EVENT PAGE.
