Theatre33 Hosts Second Annual BITFest, Celebrates Multicultural Performing Arts

Era Pogosova  |  April 15, 2026

Held over the April 3-5 weekend, the second annual Bellevue International Theatre Festival (BITFest), produced by Theatre33, offered a powerful reminder of what can happen when artists, audiences, and communities come together with a shared purpose. Read the blog from Era Pogosova below.

A WEEKEND OF GLOBAL STORYTELLING

Over the course of a weekend, what unfolded was more than a series of performances; it was a vibrant, collaborative ecosystem of storytelling, learning, and connection that continues to resonate well beyond the closing ceremony and awards dinner.

From its earliest planning stages to the final curtain call, BITFest was built through an extraordinary team effort. Participating theatre companies brought not only their productions, but also their openness to share, learn, and engage with one another. Volunteers, technicians, adjudicators, workshop leaders, and partners all contributed to creating an environment where both artistry and community could thrive.

This year’s festival welcomed a diverse group of theatre companies representing a wide range of cultural backgrounds, performance styles, and languages. Each company contributed a unique artistic voice, reinforcing the festival’s mission to celebrate global storytelling within a local community context.

BITFest opened on April 3 with the introduction of all the participating theater companies and concluded with a showcase presentation of the Fringe version of Theatre33’s award-winning Constellations. On Saturday, April 4, audiences enjoyed “The Case of the Crushed Petunias by Resonance Studio Theatre from Redmond, WA (in English), “Pillows” by Fool House Art Collective from Portland, OR (in Russian with English audio subtitles) and “Is; Land” by Hawberry Productions from Shoreline, WA (in Mandarin Chinese without subtitles). On Sunday, the final day of the festival, audiences were treated to “A Lovely Sunday for Creve Coeur” by Scarlet Sails Cultural Foundation from Portland, OR (in Russian with English subtitles), “The Secret of the Chest” by SOVA Theatre Studio from Chicago, IL (pantomime) and “My Grandfather Was a Cherry Tree” by Stray Dog from San Pedro, CA (in Russian with English subtitles).

RECOGNITION AND COMMUNITY

The adjudication process added another layer of depth to the experience. Esteemed adjudicators brought thoughtful, constructive feedback, engaging directly with artists. Their presence elevated the level of discourse and provided valuable insights that many participants described as one of the most impactful aspects of the festival.

The awards ceremony served not only as a moment of recognition, but as a celebration of collective achievement. Productions were acknowledged for excellence in acting, directing, technical design, and overall production quality — yet the tone remained one of shared success rather than competition. 

BUILDING BRIDGES ACROSS COMMUNITIES

One of the most meaningful outcomes of BITFest was its role as a vital gathering space for community theatres rooted in immigrant and multilingual communities. For many of these companies, creating theatre is not only an artistic pursuit, but a way to preserve language, sustain cultural identity, and build a sense of belonging in an adopted country.

BITFest offered a rare and meaningful opportunity for these artists to come together — to share stories in their native languages, to be understood without translation, and to connect with others navigating similar cultural and artistic paths. In this context, networking became something deeper than professional exchange; it became community-building. Companies were able to exchange resources, explore collaborations, and form relationships grounded in shared experience — relationships that will extend far beyond the festival weekend.

WHAT'S NEXT

These connections are already bearing fruit. In response to the enthusiasm and momentum generated this year, Theatre33 has begun planning for BITFest 2027 (April 2-4), with a continued commitment to expanding access and participation, and to strengthening support for immigrant and multilingual theatre makers across the region.

In addition, the festival has sparked the development of a year-round online workshop series aimed at supporting community theatres with ongoing professional development, skill-building, and cross-community dialogue. This initiative reflects a broader vision: That BITFest is not just an annual event, but part of a sustained effort to strengthen and connect the multilingual theatre community.

As BITFest continues to grow, its impact is becoming increasingly clear. It is helping to shape a theatre culture that values inclusivity, artistic courage, and collaboration. It is creating space for new voices while supporting established artists. And most importantly, it is reminding us that theatre — at its core — is a collective act.

The success of this year’s festival belongs to everyone who participated: the artists who shared their work, the audiences who showed up with curiosity and openness, and the many individuals behind the scenes who made it all possible.

With gratitude and anticipation, we look forward to what comes next.

Learn more about Theatre33, and support their trip to Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2026.

Photography by: Marina Savilova