The first female recipient of the Academy Award for best director, Kathryn Bigelow, must have started a trend that has spread all the way to the Bothell High Theatre Arts department. Eight senior girls took on the challenge of directing seven one-act plays for the ninth annual BHS Dramafest this year.

Dramafest begins with “Best of the Fest”, the three one-act plays judged as the best of the seven to be performed. This year’s plays are “Freak,” co-directed by Rhianna Bennett and Jasmine Cobb; “Miss Polly’s Institute for Criminally Damaged Young Ladies Puts on a Show,” directed by Kylie McElrath; and “The Long View,” directed by Dana Floberg.

The “Best of the Fest” performances are at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 29-30 in the Northshore Performing Arts Center, 18125 92nd Ave. N.E., Bothell.

The four remaining plays make up “Rest of the Fest” beginning at 2 p.m. Oct. 30. This year’s “Rest of the Fest” plays are “Murder Well-Rehearsed,” directed by Kaitlyn McElrath; “The Rude Mechanicals,” directed by Kelly Lohr; “Governing Alice,” directed by Audrey Michael; and “13 Ways to Screw up Your College Interview,” directed by Lauren Michael.

Immediately following the Saturday evening performances, the BHS Theatre Arts department will host its own version of the Tony Awards. The one-act chosen as Best Play will move on to the State Thespian Festival in March. The evening will conclude with the announcement of instructor James Wilson’s choice for the spring musical.

Dramafest tickets are available on the department’s Web site or at the door one hour before each performance. Tickets are $6 for children, students with ASB, seniors and military; $8 for adults. Guests are also asked to bring non-perishable food items to donate for the BHS Thespian Society’s annual food drive. Donation bins will be in the lobby.