Act 1 Productions
A highly-acclaimed performing arts company featuring plays, musicals, children’s theatre, dance concerts, and film festivals.
Act 1 is the producing arm of the DeSales University Division of Performing Arts. We encourage our students to bring truth and beauty to the world through their art forms in Theatre, Dance and TV/Film.
We invite you to join us in our celebration of truth and beauty in our production of plays, musicals, children’s theatre, dance concerts, and film festivals. Most of our productions can be seen either in person or streamed* — call or email our box office for your tickets and your preference.
The DeSales TV/Film students have been instrumental in filming these productions to deliver them in a virtual format. In addition, the Act 1 faculty and guest directors and designers continue to enjoy the challenge of discovering new ways to design sets, costumes, lighting, and sound for both social distancing and filmed live productions.
*Streaming rights are limited by the licensing organizations; not all shows are permitted to be streamed.
DeSales University Film Festival
A celebration of the diverse range of genres and styles form the next generation of DeSales filmmakers.
March 23rd 2024 - 7:30 PM
Upcoming Productions
Act 1 Presents the DeSales University Film Festival
The division of performing arts presents the DeSales University Film Festival, premiering on Saturday, March 25, at 8:00 p.m. in person at the Labuda Center for the Performing Arts and also with the films streaming online.
An exciting showcase of world premiere films, the DeSales University Film Festival features the emerging voices of film directors, screenwriters, producers, cinematographers, designers, editors, animators, and actors in the DeSales TV/film department. The event also includes photo highlight segments, showcasing beautiful and compelling art by the talented photographers of the TV/film department and the entire University.
New to DUFF this year is a high school competition where filmmakers from local schools submitted entries. The DUFF committee and department faculty will review submissions and select a winner. The top three finalists are invited to attend the festival, where the winning film will be announced and shown. The two runner ups will be recognized.
Films in the festival will compete for Best Overall Film or the DUFFY, as well as Best Performance, Best Screenplay, Best Cinematography, Best Directing, Best Editing/Sound Design, and the award for Audience Choice.
"Our students represent the future of filmmaking. They're working hard to put on a groundbreaking live show this year, and are excited to share their stories, dreams, and unique visions with the world.”
Judging the films this year are Kent Lamm, Maxwell Thorpe, and Tim Heidecker. Lamm is an award-winning LA-based freelance film director and editor. His first feature length film, "Bad is Bad," garnered more than seven million views on Vimeo and YouTube. It was one of the first features to be shot entirely on a digital single-lens reflex (DSLR) camera. As an editor, Lamm has worked for Apple TV, Netflix, Amazon, Sony Pictures, Beats by Dre, Nickelodeon, Air Jordan, Postmates, and CollegeHumor.
Thorpe has been key grip on many television shows, including "The Mandalorian," "Curb Your Enthusiasm," and "Star Trek: Picard." His film work has included "State of Play," "An American Crime," and "Hesher."
Guest judge Heidecker is an actor/comedian who is most known for his role in the movie "Us" and many other hit TV shows with Eric Wareheim. Originally from Allentown, he is a writer and producer, known for "Tim and Eric's Bedtime Stories," "Tim and Eric Awesome Show," "Great Job!," and "The Comedy."
For the DUFF photo competition, photographer Jared Polin will be the adjudicator. Polin has taken photographs for NASA, the Phillies, Bernie Sanders, musicians, and other high-profile clients. Polin is also known for his YouTube channel, FroKnowsPhoto, where he posts photography tutorials and camera reviews.
Considered the leading film school in the Lehigh Valley, the DeSales TV/film department boasts more than two dozen Emmy Award winners from among its students and alumni. The 23rd annual festival is the perfect time to show where our successful alumni began their careers, and also serves as a launch pad for student filmmakers as they begin their careers in the film, television, and entertainment industries.
The DeSales University Film Festival will be on Saturday, March 25, at 8:00 p.m. The live showing will take place on the Main Stage of the Labuda Center for the Performing Arts. Tickets for the live performance are $18 for adults and $15 for seniors and students.
DUFF films stream on March 25, 2023. Please note that, due to careful timing, this streaming event will only be available starting promptly at 8:00 p.m. Tickets to the streamed premiere are $15 per viewer.
Students who attend DeSales or any other Lehigh Valley college or university can purchase tickets for $8. Group discounts are available. Tickets may be purchased by calling the Labuda Center Box Office at 610-282-3192.
For information about the film lineup and details, please visit desales.edu/duff.
The Labuda Center for Performing Arts
The Labuda Center for the Performing Arts is home to most Act 1 events. It is handicapped accessible, and features the 473 seat Main Stage Theatre and the 187 seat Schubert Theatre.
GPS Location: 2755 Station Ave., Center Valley, PA 18032
