A Conference for Theatre Education: For Students, Staff, and Faculty in Higher Education
Region II
American College Theatre Festival
“I am certain that after the dust of centuries has passed over our cities, we, too, will be remembered not for victories or defeats in battle or in politics, but for our contribution to the human spirit” – John F. Kennedy
Dear Colleagues and Students,
For 58 years, the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts has been an integral and vital partner in advancing the work of the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival (KCACTF). The Kennedy Center staff—particularly those in the Education Division, including Gregg Henry, Kelsey Mesa, Jordan LaSalle, and David Kilpatrick—have been outstanding champions for our students and extraordinary partners in the leadership and operations of KCACTF for decades. We are deeply grateful for their vision, dedication, and commitment, which have helped make KCACTF a thriving, impactful organization that has transformed the lives of students and created a community of creativity and belonging.
Unfortunately, our affiliation with the Kennedy Center is no longer viable. Due to circumstances and decisions that do not align with our organization’s values, the National Committee, which includes regional leadership (regional chairs, regional playwriting chairs, regional design, technology, and management chairs, and the building opportunity through leadership and development chairs) has voted to suspend our affiliation with the Kennedy Center. We are proceeding with the eight vibrant regional conferences as planned for 2026.
We want to assure you that this change does not mark an end—but a new chapter. The KCACTF National Committee and the Regional conferences have long been operated under a separate nonprofit organization, ACTF Management, Ltd. The American College Theatre Festival will continue, and we are confident that we can and will sustain the extraordinary opportunities, celebrations, and connections that define our work. We remain steadfast in our mission to encourage, recognize, and celebrate the finest and most diverse work created in college and university theatre programs; to provide opportunities for participants to develop their skills, insight, and professionalism; to elevate the quality of theatre produced in higher education; to champion distinguished productions of new plays—especially those written by students—as well as revitalized classics and bold, experimental works, and building opportunity through leadership and development.
The leadership of ACTF Management, Ltd. has been thoughtfully preparing for this transition and is confident in a positive, sustainable path forward. We ask for your grace and patience as we continue to plan, reorganize, and explore this new structure and national partnerships. We are committed to transparent communication and will keep you updated regularly as plans develop.
ACTF will continue to serve as a ghostlight—a beacon of joy, a sanctuary for all, and a place where every artist feels seen, safe, welcomed, celebrated, and beloved.
With care and gratitude,
The American College Theatre Festival National Committee
Festival 59 will be January 12 – 16, 2027 in Albany, NY!
Production Registration
Please note that registering for a response does not guarantee that we can find an available or appropriate volunteer respondent. Productions should be entered no later than 30 days before your opening date to give everyone the best chance of having a successful response.
To get more information on Responding and Respondent Training click here.
2025 – 2026 Production Registration Costs
Price for a Participating Production: $400
Price for an Associate Production: $300
Welcome to The American College Theater Festival Region 2!
For over 50 years ACTF has supported and celebrated all things theatre at colleges and universities across the country. Region 2 includes schools and programs of all shapes and sizes in Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Northern Virginia, Washington DC, and West Virginia. Please explore this site to discover the many opportunities for innovation, engagement, and professional development ACTF can offer students, faculty, and staff in all disciplines of theatre. The “about us” section showcases the dedicated team of volunteers who work hard to make all our programs a reality, without whom ACTF would not be possible. There are a million ways to participate: follow us on all social media platforms, or sign up below to receive our newsletter to stay informed on opportunities and all things ACTF 2. I’ve loved this program and region since coming to the festival as a student and have seen first-hand the value it has provided the young artists who participate each year. I am honored and excited to serve as your current chair, and here to provide any information or support I can, (or to hear your awesome ideas) – email chair@kcactf2.org .
Thank you for your interest, your enthusiasm, and your dedication to building the future of theatre,
Cassie King
Muskingum University
Region 2 Chair
BOLD - BUILDING OPPORTUNITY THROUGH LEADERSHIP AND DEVELOPMENT
We recognize that a broad range of experiences and perspectives strengthens our organization, enriches the educational mission, and prepares the next generation of creative leaders in American theater.
We affirm our commitment to programming, policies, and practices that uphold excellence in theater education and artistic development for student participants, teaching artists, and organizational leadership at both regional and national levels.
We encourage the growth of confident and capable student leaders who meet the challenges of the field with creativity, resilience, and integrity. We expect discourse and pedagogy that fosters positive change in the representation of all communities, both onstage and off. We reject practices that perpetuate harmful stereotypes or cultural appropriation.
We expect production respondents to engage with respect, avoid discriminatory comments, and embrace the wide spectrum of artistic choices found on college campuses across the country. We support collegial exploration of new ideas, grounded in respect for long-held artistic practices and the communicated intentions of the playwright. Through these commitments, we affirm our role in advancing the highest standards of theater education, creative expression, and leadership—honoring the complexity of our collective historical legacies, engaging fully with the present, and reimagining a future for the American theater that reflects and represents us all.
