KCACTF is a national theatre program involving 18,000 students from colleges and universities nationwide. From January through March, the festival offers students and theatre departments from more than 600 academic institutions from various regions the opportunity to participate in showcases; 125 are then selected to travel to Washington, D.C. for an expenses-paid trip to participate in the Kennedy Center presentation in April.

There will also be the presentation of awards for excellence in production, directing, choreography, acting, writing, design, stage management, dramaturgy and dramatic criticism.

Started in 1969 by the Kennedy Center's founding chairman Roger L. Steven, KCACTF's mission is to celebrate the finest and most diverse work produced in university and college theatre programs throughout the United States. According to the program, more than 16 million theatregoers have attended approximately 10,000 festival productions nationwide.

The festival is made up of state, regional and national festivals that run year-round, where KCACTF participants can share their work and experience the community of theatre artists. The events aim to provide opportunities for participants to develop their skills and forge professional, long-lasting relationships. Since its inception, KCACTF has given more than 400,000 theatre students the opportunity to have their work reviewed and receive national recognition for excellence in drama.

The Festival's overarching mission is improve the quality of college and university theatre programs in America by encouraging academic institutions to give distinguished productions and to try new plays, experimental works and revitalized classics. To learn more about arts programs at colleges and universities across the country, visit PlaybillEDU.com.