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AACTWorldFest

Celebrate community theatre from around the world with captivating performances, interactive workshops, and vibrant cultural exchanges, all in stunning Venice, Florida. Coming June 15-20, 2026.

AACTWORLDFEST
A Global Theatre Experience
 

AACTWORLDFEST logo

Venice, Florida • June 15–20, 2026
A world-wide, week-long community theatre festival featuring shows from around the globe, parties, workshops, and more.
  • Delightful dinners, afterglows, drum circles, and “lobby gabs”
  • Workshops from wigs and styling to mindfulness for actors
  • International performances, often in native languages
AACTWORLDFEST performance

What is aactWORLDFEST?

aactWORLDFEST is a world-wide, week-long community theatre festival featuring shows from around the globe, parties, workshops, and more.

Many productions are performed in their native language, but it’s easy to follow what’s happening because the language of theatre is universal.

Twelve countries shared performances with us in 2022: Armenia, Bangladesh, Brazil, Central African Republic, France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Switzerland, United Kingdom, a virtual performance from Ukraine, and the United States.

Community
Delightful dinners, afterglow gatherings, impromptu drum circles, and “lobby gabs” make up the recipe for life-long, global friendships.
Learning
Enjoy a variety of learning experiences involving an array of theatre forms, from the care and styling of theatrical wigs to mindfulness for actors.
Lots of Theatre
Delight in performances from top-quality troupes from around the globe. The language of theatre is universal.

Pricing Packages

Choose the experience that fits your festival week
All packages include access to festival community events, with options for shows, workshops, and seating levels.
The Star Package
$570 AACT Member | $620 Non-Member | $520 Student
  • Early check-in and registration (separate desk)
  • Opening Ceremony
  • Priority seating to every show in all theatres
  • All workshops
  • All Afterglow Parties (ID required for student registrations)
  • Star Event admission (event announced April 2026)
  • Exclusive festival swag bag
Supporting Player
$380 AACT Member | $430 Non-Member | $330 Student
  • Opening Ceremony
  • Every show included in all theatres (no assigned seats)
  • Two workshops of your choosing
  • All Afterglow Parties (ID required for student registrations)
  • Closing Celebration
  • Festival swag bag
The Ensemble Package
$330 AACT Member | $410 Non-Member | $280 Student
  • Opening Ceremony
  • Shows in the Main Theatre only
  • All Afterglow Parties (ID required for student registrations)
  • Closing Celebration
  • Festival swag bag
Student registrations require ID for Afterglow Parties.

Hotel & Accommodations

Festival Hotel Update
The discounted festival rate at Home2 Suites by Hilton Nokomis Sarasota Casey Key is now fully booked. Rooms are still available nearby at Ramada by Wyndham Venice Hotel Venezia.
Ramada by Wyndham Venice Hotel Venezia
Nearby Hotel Option
425 US 41 Bypass N
Venice, FL 34285
Additional nearby lodging options are also available throughout the Venice–Nokomis area.

Festival Schedule at a Glance

A Week of Global Theatre, Workshops & Community
Get a quick look at the week’s major schedule blocks, including registration, performances, workshops, colloquia, AACT meetings, awards, special events, and afterglows. All times listed are Eastern Time. For performance countries, workshop titles, venues, and full event details, view the full schedule.
Monday, June 15
  • 12:00 PM-7:00 PM: Registration Desk Open
  • 6:00 PM-7:00 PM: Welcome Reception
  • 7:00 PM-7:45 PM: Opening Ceremony & Parade of Flags
  • 8:00 PM-10:30 PM: Performances
  • 10:30 PM-1:00 AM: Afterglow
Tuesday, June 16
  • 9:00 AM-12:00 PM: Workshop
  • 12:00 PM: Registration Desk Open
  • 12:45 PM: AACT Awards
  • 1:00 PM-10:00 PM: Performances
  • 4:00 PM-5:00 PM: Colloquia
  • 10:00 PM-1:00 AM: Afterglow
Wednesday, June 17
  • 9:00 AM-12:00 PM: Workshop
  • 9:00 AM-12:00 PM: AACT Meetings
  • 12:00 PM: Registration Desk Open
  • 12:45 PM: AACT Awards
  • 1:00 PM-5:00 PM: Performances
  • 5:30 PM-6:45 PM: Colloquia
  • 7:00 PM-10:00 PM: Beach Party
Thursday, June 18
  • 9:00 AM-12:00 PM: Workshop
  • 9:00 AM-12:00 PM: AACT Meetings
  • 12:00 PM: Registration Desk Open
  • 5:45 PM: AACT Awards
  • 6:00 PM-10:00 PM: Performances
  • 10:00 PM-1:00 AM: Afterglow
Friday, June 19
  • 9:00 AM-11:30 AM: Workshop & AACT Meetings
  • 12:00 PM: Registration Desk Open
  • 12:45 PM & 6:15 PM: AACT Awards
  • 1:00 PM-10:10 PM: Performances
  • 5:00 PM-6:00 PM: Colloquia
  • 10:10 PM-1:00 AM: Afterglow
Saturday, June 20
  • 8:00 AM-9:00 AM: Theatre Campus Tour
  • 9:00 AM-12:00 PM: Workshop & Meetings
  • 12:00 PM: Registration Desk Open
  • 12:45 PM: AACT Awards
  • 1:00 PM-5:00 PM: Performances
  • 5:30 PM-6:30 PM: Colloquia
  • 7:30 PM-8:30 PM: Star Ticket Holder Reception
  • 8:30 PM-9:30 PM: Closing Ceremony & Awards
  • 9:30 PM-1:00 AM: Afterglow
Schedule is subject to change. Additional details may be announced closer to the festival.

A Global Festival Tradition

For decades, aactWORLDFEST has brought community theatre artists together from across the globe to share stories, traditions, and creative perspectives.

It’s more than a festival—it’s a reunion of cultures. Artists gather for late-night afterglows, spontaneous music, shared meals, and conversations that turn into lifelong friendships.

Each festival adds another chapter to a growing international tradition built on collaboration, creativity, and the universal language of theatre.

Central African Republic at aactWORLDFEST Bangladesh at aactWORLDFEST Australia at aactWORLDFEST 2018 Germany at aactWORLDFEST 2018