AACT YouthFest 2025
In tandem with AACTFest 2025, AACT will once again be presenting a Youth Festival, June 22-25, 2025. Applications to perform are now open! Six youth theatre companies will be selected to perform at AACTFest 2025 in Des Moines, Iowa. The productions by these youth groups from around the country will be adjudicated in an open forum that fosters a learning and educational experience for all. The festival week will also include workshops, activities, and social events just for them. Thanks to the generous support of the Jack K. Ayre and Frank Lee Ayre Foundation, performing groups may apply for travel and housing funding. Funding will be awarded based on need and scale. [Photo: Meet Mr. Lincoln, Academy of Children's Theatre of Richland, Washington. YouthFest 2019]. |
- Death Takes the Train, by D.M. Larson, performed by The Terrace Playhouse Youth Theatre Troupe, United States Army Garrison, Ansbach, Germany (AACT Region X)
- Mockingbird (Touring Version), adapted by Julie Jensen from the National Book Award-winning novel by Kathryn ErskineDeath Takes the Train, by D.M. Larson; performed by Blue Springs City Theatre, Blue Springs, Missouri (AACT Region V)
- Once on This Island JR, book and lyrics by Lynn Ahrens; music by Stephen Flaherty, performed by Star Center Theatre, Gainesville, Florida (AACT Region IV)
- A Game, by Dennis E. Noble, performed by Theatre33, Bellevue, Washington (AACT Region IX)
- Silent Sky, by Lauren Gunderson, performed by Verona Area Community Theater, Verona, Wisconsin (AACT Region III)
Apply now to perform!
Deadline to submit is July 31, 2024
To be eligible, a theatre must:
- Maintain an AACT Organizational membership
- Read and review the Youth Fest Participant Guide
- Complete the AACT Youth Fest Application
- Submit one letter of support illustrating the support of your community for your theatre and/or testifying to your theatre's creative and organizational abilities. Letter can be uploaded to application sent separately by July 31, 2024.
Important future dates:
- Notification of Acceptances will be sent no later than September 16, 2024
- Publicity and Marketing Materials are due to AACT no later than October 10, 2024
- Selected Theatres are to complete their AACTFEST Funding requests by October 31, 2024
- Notifications of funding amounts will be sent by November 30, 2024
- Theatre Companies must register by March 1, 2025
- Submit AACT YouthFest Technical Form by April 1, 2025
Interested directors can email their inquiries to AACT Youth Fest Chair, Chad-Alan Carr at [email protected].
Youthfest 2025 is made possible by is made possible in part by a grant from the Jack K. Ayre and Frank Ayre Lee Theatre Foundation