Kennedy Center's/ American College Theatre Festival

KC/ACTF Region II

The Kennedy Center's/ American College Theatre Festival

What is ACTF?

The American College Theatre Festival is a 5-day long gathering of students and faculty from universities who are interested in theatre to share ideas and view one another's work. In addition to performances and competitions, there are a wide range of activities that, in the past, have included workshops and seminars on such topics as playwriting, auditioning, voice, movement, stage combat, scenic painting, set design, and so on

There are a total of eight regional festivals sponsored by the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts which are held yearly throughout the country during January and February. We are in Region II along with universities from Maryland, Delaware, D.C., New Jersey, and New York.

Who may attend?

Any MU student. 

What does it cost?

In years past the total costs were under $200, which included registration, transportation, and hotel. Some fees will be paid by U.T. for participants in Irene Ryan Competition or other technical competitions. Deposits are required for all students who want to attend and students must comply with all aspects of the ACTF contract or they will be excluded from the trip.

What is the Irene Ryan Acting Scholarship Competition?

Two Irene Ryan Scholarship participants are chosen for each UT mainstage production by an ACTF respondent who adjudicates the show on one of the performance nights.  To accept a nomination means that the participant will attend the Regional Festival in January

At the Festival, participants will be required to perform a monologue and a scene or song for a panel of judges (consisting of directors from other universities). Winners from that round compete in semi-finals in front of the entire Festival. Finals are held the last night of the Festival and two winning participants from each region are chosen. These two winners will then go to the Kennedy Center National Festival where they will perform in an evening of scenes in front of top professional actors, directors, producers, and casting agents.

Getting ready for the Conference

Check out the Region II website

Past MU Irene Ryan and Merits

Our Town

Dezi Sommerville: Irene Ryan Nominee
Christine Furey: Irene Ryan Nominee 

Certificates of Merit:
Victor Capecce: Set Design
Tony Elliot: Directing
Tina Stout: Production Manager 

Lesson Before Dying

Torren Cooper: Irene Ryan Nominee
Tyriq Clark: Irene Ryan Nominee

Certificates of Merit: 

Venetian Twins

Aaron Dake: Irene Ryan Nominee
Jordan Donaldson: Irene Ryan Nominee

Certificates of Merit: 

Despite These Marks

Christian Kriebel: Irene Ryan Nominee
Holly Meola: Irene Ryan Nominee

Certificates of Merit:
Jen Trewhella: Stage Manager 

Proof

Mariah Mamas- Irene Ryan Nominee
Paul Goraczko- Irene Ryan Nominee

Certificates of Merit:
Gene Ellis: Directing
Joe Brice:Stage Manager
M James Crossan: Lighting Design
Ben Spirk: Set Design
Jen Trewhella: properties

Pirates of Penzance

Paul Dellock-Hughes: Irene Ryan Nominee
Kayla Klase: Irene Ryan Nominee

Certificates of Merit
Beth Ingrahm:Excellence Stage Management
Mike Wiltraut: Excellence in Sound Design
Ensemble: Excellence in Ensemble work

Children's Hour

Kathleen Verbo: Irene Ryan Nominee
Mariah Mamas: Irene Ryan Nominee

Certificate of Merits
Victor Capecce Certificate of Merit : Set Design

Scene Recommend for Festival Act 3: The Scene between Characters Karen and Martha demonstrate significant character Depth and Journey, especially on the part of the actor playing Martha

Heathen Valley

Matthew McLaughan Irene Ryan Nominee
Brian Viera Irene Ryan Nominee

Certificate of Merits
Tony Elliot: Excellence Directing
Philip Vonada: Excellence Scenic Design
Alyssa Rader: Excellence Stage Management
Ensemble: Excellence in Performance
Tish Smith: Excellence in Costume Design
Kevin Coyle: Excellence in Sound Design
Keith Henninger: Excellence in Light Design

Earth and Sky

School for Husbands

Irene Ryan Nominee
Brian Viera: Irene Ryan Nominee

Brilliant Traces

Mariah Mammas: Irene Ryan Nominee
Jeffery Wolfhal: Irene Ryan Nominee

Certificate of Merits
Michael Swanson: Excellence Directing
Victor Capecce: Excellence Scenic Design
Chelsea Senic: Excellence Stage Management
Ensemble : Excellence in Performance 

OEDIPUS the King

Daniel Weaver: Irene Ryan Nominee 
Matt Hudas: Irene Ryan Nominee