AACTFEST: AACT’S NATIONAL COMMUNITY THEATRE FESTIVAL

Celebrating the art of community theatre across America

AACTFest exists to celebrate, elevate, and connect community theatre at the national level. It provides a unique opportunity for theatres to share their work beyond their local communities while learning from peers across the country.

Through a structured state, regional, and national festival process, AACTFest highlights exceptional productions that represent the diversity, creativity, and passion of community theatre today. The festival is designed not only to recognize excellence, but to foster growth through thoughtful adjudication, shared learning, and meaningful exchange.

Whether you’re a performer, director, designer, administrator, or volunteer, AACTFest offers an environment that supports artistic development, professional connection, and a deeper sense of belonging within the national theatre community.

AACTFest follows a multi-level festival cycle that begins locally and culminates in a national celebration of community theatre excellence.

Theatre companies first participate in their State and Regional AACT festivals, where productions are adjudicated and recognized for artistic achievement. Each region advances its top-honored production to the national level.

These selected companies come together at AACTFest to present their work on a national stage, representing the strongest community theatre productions from across the country and U.S. Military theatres overseas.

Throughout the festival, participants engage in performances, adjudications, educational workshops, and networking opportunities designed to encourage growth, learning, and connection at every level of experience.

AACTFest is more than a series of performances—it’s a full festival experience designed to inspire, educate, and connect the community theatre field.

• National theatre performances showcasing top-honored productions from AACT’s state and regional festivals
• Adjudicated performances with thoughtful feedback focused on learning and growth
• Educational workshops and sessions led by experienced theatre artists and administrators
• Networking opportunities with theatre-makers, volunteers, and leaders from across the country
• Awards and recognition celebrating excellence in performance, direction, design, and technical achievement

The path to the national stage starts at the local level.

Theatre companies begin their AACTFest journey by participating in their State and Regional AACT festivals. Each state and region manages its own festival process, timelines, and requirements, which ultimately lead to qualification for the national festival.

Looking for an example of what to expect? You can explore the 2025 Festival Handbook for an overview of typical guidelines, schedules, and festival information. The AACTFest 2027 Festival Handbook will be released in Summer 2026.

Need help getting started or finding your state contact?
📧 Contact Festival Coordinator Mary Jo DeNolf at [email protected]