REVIEW: Solofest at Whitefire Theatre

There’s something special about your very first festival. It’s equal parts adventure, nerves, and a big ol’ heap of hope. In 2022, I’d been writing my solo show, HOLY O, for two and a half years, and Solofest at the Whitefire Theatre in Los Angeles was my official festival debut. Before that, I’d done a couple of preview shows in Knoxville and Houston, which were well-received by my most loyal fanbase (read: friends and family). Naturally, I was hoping for the same kind of love in L.A.

I knew next to nothing about marketing or the festival circuit, but I followed every piece of advice the festival team offered. I flew in a few days early, teched my show in record time (my technician was thrilled), and crossed my fingers that ticket sales would miraculously soar past the 11 presales. You can probably guess how that went… No, I did not sell out the 90-seat house, but those 11 brave souls showed up (and no, I won’t confirm whether they were all friends).

After the show, I hosted a little reception in the lobby and basked in the post-show high as my patrons raved about the performance. My first festival was officially in the books. Then, the next morning, I woke up with a pit in my stomach: “What have I gotten myself into?”

Solofest was a great experience, but it was also a crash course in the festival hustle. Over the next few months, I took a breather, did some soul-searching, and realized that anything worth doing comes with a learning curve. That experience sparked my journey into self-producing, and I’ve been collecting new skills (and humility) ever since.

Standout Technical Offerings

Here’s a major perk: you get a four-hour technical rehearsal. Yes, four whole hours. That’s almost unheard of in the fringe world. (That might’ve changed by now, but you’ll still have plenty of time to tech in.) My technician knew the space inside and out and nailed everything I asked for. The Whitefire offers color washes and even gobos, which made my show look extra sharp.

HOLY O at Solofest 2022

The Whitefire Theatre itself is a cozy 90-seat house that used to be a sound studio, so the acoustics are pristine. The space is quiet, controlled, and intimate enough that you can project easily without voice amplification. In fact, if you want to use voice amplification, you have to make special arrangements.

And here’s an unexpected bonus: a professionally recorded and edited video of your show is included in your rental. Seriously! The videographer set up a mic in the front row that caught every word—I sounded mic’d even though I wasn’t. Because of the sound-treated stage, there were no footsteps or rustles picked up. You can even choose to stream your show through the Whitefire Theatre and sell tickets online, making this a surprisingly low-effort, low-cost way to reach audiences from afar.

Production Costs and Butts in Seats

Solofest requires a deposit once you’re booked, and then you’re responsible for 50% of the house before you start earning profit (minus the deposit). So, in a 90-seat venue, you’ll need to sell 45 tickets before you see a dime. And if you don’t meet that 45 ticket threshold, you are still responsible for paying that amount to the theatre.

Since there’s only one show per night and one venue, you can’t easily flyer or piggyback on other audiences. Unless you have a strong local base in Los Angeles, filling seats can be tough. My show landed on a Wednesday, which didn’t help. Most performers only get one performance, so there’s little time to build word of mouth. Shows now run Thursday-Sunday at 3:00 and 7:00. If you’re coming from out of town, I highly recommend pushing for a slot later in the weekend so you can market to other audiences.

Marketing and Awards

Solofest partners with NoHo Arts District, which offers publicity packages, press coverage, and reviews. You do pay for that exposure, but the reviews are professional and thoughtful. The festival also ends with awards judged by critics and organizers instead of audience votes, which is a refreshing change of pace.

That said, remember—Los Angeles is a movie town. Convincing non-friends to attend a theatre festival can feel like trying to sell sunscreen in Seattle. Social media ads? Probably not worth it. Focus on personal outreach, email lists, and charming DMs instead.

Overall Review

HOLY O after party at Solofest 2022; Nate Parde, Lauren Hance, Sandy Parde

Overall, Solofest has a lot going for it; you just need to know what you want out of the experience. If you’re local or have friends in L.A., you can fill the house with a bit of hustle. If you’re aiming for a high-quality recording, press coverage, or award recognition, it’s a fantastic choice.

If, on the other hand, your goal is a sold-out show and building notoriety, you might want to explore other festivals.

Still, for me, Solofest was an excellent first step. I left with a solid video, a better understanding of self-producing, and confidence to continue my fringe journey.

Applications for Solofest 2026 are now open! The season runs from February 5 to March 15, so if you’re ready to take the stage, start planning now. Who knows, maybe I’ll see you in the lobby, glass of wine in hand, celebrating your first festival.