The Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival (KCACTF) is a national theatre program dedicated to the improvement of collegiate theatre in the United States. Focused on the celebration of diverse and exciting theatre, KCACTF involves students from more than 600 colleges and universities throughout the United States. Overview While the culmination of the KCACTF is the national festival held in Washington, D.C. at the Kennedy Center, the majority of students involved in the program compete in one of eight regional competitions. Over 18,000 students are involved in at least one aspect of KCACTF. Although the national festival is intended to be the pinnacle of the collegiate theatre year and not necessarily a competition, there are a number of scholarships and awards presented throughout the week, including the Irene Ryan Acting Scholarships. Other competitions include playwriting, directing, set design, costume design, lighting design, sound design, and the Eugene O'Neill Theatre critic's institute and dramaturgy awards, including the David Mark Cohen National Playwriting Award. Regions KCACTF has divided up the United States in 8 separate regions. There are: National Committee Personnel Gregg Henry - Co-Manager, Artistic Director Susan Shaffer - Co-Manager, Administration Mark Kuntz - National Chair Dr. Harry Parker - National Vice-Chair Karen Anselm - Member at Large Mark Charney - National Coordinator for the Critic's Institute Michael Dempsey - National Theatrical Design Chair Catherine Norgren - ATHE Liaison John Uthoff - USITT Representative Kate Snodgrass - National Chair of Michael Kanin New Plays Program Roger Hall - National Vice Chair of NPP Gary Garrison - NPP Member at Large National Award Winners (Productions) Previous Award Recipients Production Awards The productions below have been recognized for their outstanding achievement. Additionally, the "nominees" for each category have been recognized for distinguished achievement. Outstanding Production of a Play 2014 - Pentecost by David Edgar, Middlebury College 2013 - Vincent In Brixton by Nicholas Wright, Utah Valley University 2012 - Six Characters adapted from Luigi Pirandello's Six Characters in Search of an Author, Iowa State University. Outstanding Production of a Musical 2014 - Next to Normal book and lyrics by Brian Yorkey and music by Tom Kitt, Utah Valley University 2013 - Godspell, music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz, book by John-Michael Tebelak, California State University, Fullerton 2012 - Flipside: The Patti Page Story by Greg White, University of Central Oklahoma. Outstanding Production of a New Work 2014 - Decision Height by Meredith Levy,