Downtown Grants Pass will be buzzing with theatrical energy this week as Aggregate Collective hosts the second annual Loop Festival at The Hivve, August 11–14, 2025. The festival culminates on Thursday, August 14, with a full day of staged readings showcasing three brand-new works in the Young Adult Theatre genre.
The Loop Festival is no ordinary theatre event—it’s a collaborative experiment in developing original plays and musicals for and about young people, performed by young actors, and shaped in real time through audience feedback. This year’s lineup features the new musical In BeTween by Steven Gallagher, Sarah Ziegler, and Nicky Phillips; My Tree by Samara Siskind; and Good Knight Cyberella by V.B. Rankin.
Audiences will have a rare opportunity to see works in progress while also influencing their future. Each reading is followed by a guided discussion where attendees can share thoughts, impressions, and suggestions directly with the creative team. Playwrights—participating virtually from across the country—will be listening closely, using these responses to refine and adapt their scripts.
On August 14, the performance schedule begins at 1:30 p.m. with In BeTween, followed by My Tree at 4:00 p.m., and Good Knight Cyberella at 7:00 p.m. A single $10 ticket grants all-day access to the in-person performances at The Hivve, as well as a livestream option for those who wish to watch remotely or switch between formats.
The project brings together approximately thirty young adult actors from Southern Oregon, who spend three days prior to the performances working directly with the scripts under the mentorship of professional theatre directors. This development process allows actors to act as cultural consultants, offering authentic perspectives that help ensure the plays reflect real experiences and voices.
Guiding the readings this year are directors Kristen Fogle and Marjorie Treger from California, and Bradley Behrmann from Illinois. Local theatremakers Julia Cuppy, Jaese Lecuyer, and Tianna Eddy will facilitate the festival, while The Hivve’s Trever Yarrish provides the venue and technical support.
Aggregate Collective, the producing company, has built its reputation on what it calls “radical hospitality” and “shared learning,” creating inclusive spaces for artists and audiences to collaborate. The Loop Festival is its flagship project, designed to spotlight emerging voices in Young Adult Theatre while fostering a national network of writers, directors, and performers.
Beyond the readings themselves, the festival also serves as a community fundraiser. Sponsorship opportunities are available to “adopt” an actor or crew member, helping to support their participation and keep ticket prices accessible.
For those looking to experience something fresh and interactive in the local arts scene, the Loop Festival offers an inside look at the creative process—and the chance to be part of it. With performances happening in one of Grants Pass’s most dynamic cultural spaces, the event promises an engaging mix of entertainment, education, and artistic exchange.
Tickets and livestream access are available now at https://aggregatecollective.ludus.com.