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Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival (The Kennedy Center)

Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival

Started in 1969 by Roger L. Stevens, the Kennedy Center American College Theater (KCACTF) is a national theater program involving 18,000 students from colleges and universities nationwide, which has served as a catalyst in improving the quality of college theater in the U.S. The KCACTF has grown into a network of more than 600 academic institutions throughout the country, where theater departments and student artists showcase their work and receive outside assessment by KCACTF respondents.The goals of the KCACTF are: To encourage, recognize, and celebrate the finest and most diverse work produced in university and college theater programs; To provide opportunities for participants to develop their theater skills and insight, and achieve professionalism; To improve the quality of college and university theater in America; To encourage colleges and universities to give distinguished productions of new plays, especially those written by students; the classics, revitalized or newly conceived; and experimental works.

Upcoming Millennium Stage Performances

Watch these performances free at the Kennedy Center or online.

The KCACTF Hip-Hop Theater Creator Awards

4/7/14: The KCACTF Hip-Hop Theater Creator Awards

The Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival presents a showcase of award-winning hip-hop theater works from colleges and universities around the country in the Kennedy Center Atrium. Please note: This performance contains explicit language. Part of One Mic: Hip-Hop Culture Worldwide.


Watch Past Performances

University of Puerto Rico: <i>Platero y Yo</i> 4/18/13: University of Puerto Rico: Platero y Yo

Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival presents a performance of the family show that focuses on Platero, a little donkey whose tenderness is used to explore the simple joys of life. Adapted from Juan Ramón Jiménez’s classic book of poems of the same title, the performance will be in Spanish with English captioning.

University of Puerto Rico: Platero y Yo

Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival presents a performance of the family show that focuses on Platero, a little donkey whose tenderness is used to explore the simple joys of life. Adapted from Juan Ramón Jiménez’s classic book of poems of the same title, the performance will be in Spanish with English captioning.
National Finalists of the KCACTF Ten-Minute Play Award 4/17/13: National Finalists of the KCACTF Ten-Minute Play Award

Tattoo You by Lisa Kenner Grissom, Lesley University, and Disconnect by Caity Shea Violette, University of Minnesota-Duluth, both directed by Lee Mikeska Gardner; Washing Up by Milbre Burch, University of Missouri, and Like Pigeons by Nate Harpél, Savannah College of Art and Design, both directed by Rob Urbinati. Plus, a selection from the recipient of the Harold and Mimi Steinberg National Student Playwriting Award: A Second Birth by Ariel Mitchell, Brigham Young University, directed by Colin Hovde.

National Finalists of the KCACTF Ten-Minute Play Award

Tattoo You by Lisa Kenner Grissom, Lesley University, and Disconnect by Caity Shea Violette, University of Minnesota-Duluth, both directed by Lee Mikeska Gardner; Washing Up by Milbre Burch, University of Missouri, and Like Pigeons by Nate Harpél, Savannah College of Art and Design, both directed by Rob Urbinati. Plus, a selection from the recipient of the Harold and Mimi Steinberg National Student Playwriting Award: A Second Birth by Ariel Mitchell, Brigham Young University, directed by Colin Hovde.
Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival 4/19/12: Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival

The national finalists of the KCACTF Ten-Minute Play Award present their original works.

Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival

The national finalists of the KCACTF Ten-Minute Play Award present their original works.
Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival 1/31/11: Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival

KCACTF marks the anniversary with a special scholarship program for short plays, monologues, soliloquies, songs, and spoken word inspired by the life, presidency, and legacy of John F. Kennedy. See the winning pieces performed. Part of The Presidency of John F. Kennedy: A 50th Anniversary Celebration.

Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival

KCACTF marks the anniversary with a special scholarship program for short plays, monologues, soliloquies, songs, and spoken word inspired by the life, presidency, and legacy of John F. Kennedy. See the winning pieces performed. Part of The Presidency of John F. Kennedy: A 50th Anniversary Celebration.
Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival 4/14/10: Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival

Priscilla Dreams the Answer by Walt McGough and Girls Play by Masha Obolensky.

Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival

Priscilla Dreams the Answer by Walt McGough and Girls Play by Masha Obolensky.

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