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AACTFest--the festival process that culminates in a national theatre festival-- is sponsored by AACT and is held in odd-numbered years. AACTFest presents a forum for community theatres from AACT's 10 regions to enter productions for adjudication and advancement from the state level to the regional level and finally, to the national level.
If you're new to the festival process, read our quick overview of the experience.
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AACTFest 2013, Carmel, Indiana, June 17-23 |
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AACTFest 2011, Rochester, NY |
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AACTFest 2009, Tacoma, WA |
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AACTFest 2007, Charlotte, NC |
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AACTFest 2005, Kalamazoo, MI |
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AACTFest 2003, Torrington, CT |
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AACTFest 2001, Harrisburg, PA |
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AACTFest 1999, Memphis, TN |
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The
Birth of AACTFest |
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Complete history of AACTFest |
AACT accepts applications for hosting future AACTFests: See Guide
to Hosting
(general information for all festival hosts/chairs)
This festival process is regulated by AACT through the Vice-President for Festivals and the AACT Festival Commission. The Festival Commission consists of a chair, recorder, current national festival chair, two standing committees, and such other at-large members as might be appointed. Each committee supports a particular part of the festival process. Adjudication Committee. Selects adjudicators for the National AACTFest, suggests possible adjudicators at other levels, collects adjudicator evaluation forms, and advises the Festival Commission Chair in matters related to adjudication. Technical Support Committee. Runs production meetings, supervises rehearsals and production at the National AACTFest, supports production at other levels, and advises the Festival Commission Chair on rulings related to production. National AACTFest Chair. Produces a specific national festival, works and coordinates with other committees and reports to the Festival Commission Chair.
All Committees participate in the biennial Handbook review.
The AACT Staff provides information for state and regional packets, certificates for companies entering state and regional festivals, maintains a database of membership and confirms membership and/or fee payment status for all entering companies. AACTFest Goals To provide an optimum learning experience through festival entry at state, regional, and national levels, which affirm, support, and nurture community theatre companies as they strive toward excellence in theatrical productions. To stimulate and inspire community theatre companies to strive for the best work possible and to recognize them for their achievement through an appropriate adjudication process. To provide a learning experience in artistic, technical, and management areas for people in attendance through performances, adjudication, and workshops. To develop enlightened and discerning audiences for community theatre.
Many criteria are in place to achieve the aforementioned goals. Among the most significant are: All theatre companies must meet the same eligibility standards and requirements. Maximum time limits are 60 minutes performance time; 10 minutes set-up time and 10 minutes strike time. Qualified and impartial adjudicators are essential to the success and fairness of the festival process. All actors, musicians and stage personnel must begin set-up and end strike either in or immediately adjacent to the "on deck" areas. The festival must be held in a functioning theatre facility. A production must be performed in the same form at all festival levels. The house must be closed during each performance. Adjudicators must not discuss productions before the first ballot. The Festival Commission Representative will make the final determination in all matters of dispute during a festival.
Members may refer to the AACTFest Handbook for specific information. The Handbook and related forms are available in Acrobat/PDF form from the AACTFest Handbook page.
Questions about the festival process may be addressed to the VP
via e-mail to festivals@aact.org.
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