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The American College Theater Festival (ACTF) is a national theater program involving 18,000 students annually from colleges and universities across the country. ACTF aims to:
Encourage, recognize, and celebrate the finest and most diverse work produced in university and college theater programs;
Provide opportunities for participants to develop their theater skills and insight, and achieve professionalism;
Improve the quality of college and university theater in the United States; and
Encourage colleges and universities to give distinguished productions of new plays, especially those written by students; the classics, revitalized or newly conceived; and experimental works.
Since its inception, ACTF has given more than 400,000 college theater students the opportunity to have their work critiqued, improve their dramatic skills, and receive national recognition for excellence. More than 16 million theatergoers have attended approximately 10,000 festival productions nationwide.
Region 1 American College Theatre Festival Updates
Region 1 American College Theatre Festival Updates
⭐️Cameron Holmes received "Achievement in Sound Design"!
⭐️Sydney Hamre received "Achievement in Stage Management"!
⭐️Max Dupuis received an Honorable Mention in Stage Management!
⭐️Shea Lowney received an Honorable Mention for Allied Crafts!
⭐️Sara Gluck received the "Outstanding Performance in an NPP Play" award from the National Playwriting Program!
⭐️Gia Meola received the "Regional Recognition Award" for Dramaturgy!
⭐️James Bridges received the first place LMDA/ACTF Student Dramaturgy Award!
CONGRATULATIONS!!!! 🎉🎉🎉
We are so proud of all of our students for their excellent work at the festival! #TeamSalemState 💙🧡
Upcoming Events:
Upcoming Events:
ACTF Blitz
ACTF Blitz
ACTF Blitz
Saturday, January 24, 2026
4:00pm-7:00pm
Sophia Gordon Center.
All students attending ACTF with the Theatre Department will present their material in front of an audience. It’s a fabulous dress rehearsal for the festival, and a great opportunity for the rest of the department to see all of your work!
Info for All Students and Faculty attending ACTF:
Info for All Students and Faculty attending ACTF:
ACTF REGION 1 Festival 58
ACTF REGION 1 Festival 58
January 27 - 31, 2026
January 27 - 31, 2026
Albany Hilton Conference Center in Albany
Albany Hilton Conference Center in Albany
Important Dates:
Important Dates:
1. The Region 1 festival is Tuesday, January 27 – Saturday, January 31, 2026 in Albany, NY.
2. There will be a Mandatory ACTF Info Meeting for all students and faculty who are attending KCACTF on Thursday, December 11, 2025, from 1:00pm-2:00pm in the SGRR. (December 11 is Reading Day, so no classes or finals are scheduled.) This meeting truly is mandatory- if you do not attend the meeting and fill out your travel paperwork, you cannot attend the festival.
3. The ACTF Blitz will be Saturday, January 24, 2026, from 4:00pm-7:00pm in the Sophia Gordon Center. All students attending ACTF with the Theatre Department will present their material in front of an audience. It’s a fabulous dress rehearsal for the festival, and a great opportunity for the rest of the department to see all of your work!
To-Do List:
To-Do List:
All students who were nominated by the Theatre Department are strongly encouraged to reach out to their faculty mentors ASAP if they have not already done so.
All students are responsible for submitting their own online Program Registration Form. In order to receive all deadlines and information for the various area tracks at the festival (acting, directing, playwriting, etc.), all student participants should fill out the Program Information Form ASAP.
All students and faculty need to provide their emergency contact and health insurance information for the SSU travel paperwork on Thursday, December 11 at the Mandatory ACTF Info Meeting.
Important Clarifications:
Important Clarifications:
Theatre majors who are nominated by the Theatre Department and faculty members should not submit their own paid Registration. All registrations for Theatre majors and faculty will be done by Ashley in the Theatre Office after the ACTF Info Meeting/grades are posted in December- please do not register and pay for yourself.
Students who are nominated by the Theatre Department have hotel rooms that were reserved by the Department. They do not need to reserve their own hotel room.
Travel
Travel
All students are responsible for their own transportation to the festival.
Hotel Address: 40 Lodge Street, Albany, New York, 12207
Parking: Onsite parking is available in our attached parking garage at a discounted rate of $15.00 per night.
Students who are Self-Nominating
Students who are Self-Nominating
Students who choose to self-nominate and attend the festival themselves are fiscally responsible for their own travel, hotel room, and festival registration.
Hotel Rates:
Rates are Per Room, Per Night: $109 plus 15% Room Tax ($125.35 inclusive of tax)
Single/Double/Triple/Quad (Max of 4 Adults Per Room)
All hotel rooms must be reserved before January 1, 2024. Be sure to make your hotel reservations early, as the hotel will book up quickly!
Registration Pricing:
Early Bird Registration (by Dec 31) – $128.36
Regular Registration (Jan 1 – Jan 24) – $153.84
On-Site Registration (Jan 28-Jan 31) – $204.79
One Day Registration – $51.94
Students who choose to self-nominate should still attend the mandatory ACTF Info Meeting on Thursday, December 11 at 1:00pm in the SGRR to fill out their travel paperwork for the University.
All students are responsible for submitting their own online Program Information Form. In order to receive all deadlines and information for the various area tracks at the festival (acting, directing, playwriting, etc.), all student participants should fill out the Program Information Form ASAP.
2025 SSU Theatre Department Nominations
2025 SSU Theatre Department Nominations
ACTF Nominees for Mad Forest
ACTF Nominees for Mad Forest
The Salem State University Theatre and Speech Communication Department is thrilled to announce the MAD FOREST merit award recipients and Irene Ryan nominees for the Region 1 American College Theatre Festival in January 2026:
Merit Award Recipients/Nominees (Who are encouraged to submit their work for KCACTF):
1. James Bridges for Dramaturgy
2. Jennifer O’Connell for Stage Management
Additional Merit Awards (Special recognition):
1. Cast and Crew (Ensemble Work )
Irene Ryan Acting Scholarship Nominees:
1. Lauren Abramson
2. Mez Mezzapelle
Irene Ryan Acting Scholarship Alternate:
1. Dylon Medeiros
Congratulations!
ACTF Nominees for Everybody
ACTF Nominees for Everybody
The Salem State University Theatre and Speech Communication Department is thrilled to announce the EVERYBODY merit award recipients and Irene Ryan nominees for the Region 1 American College Theatre Festival in January 2026:
Merit Award Recipients/Nominees (Returning students who are encouraged to submit their work for ACTF):
1. Gia Meola for Dramaturgy
2. Sydney Hamre for Stage Management
3. Shea Lowney for Sound Engineering
Additional Merit Awards (Special recognition):
1. Ensemble Merit award for the Cast of Everybody
Irene Ryan Acting Scholarship Nominees:
1. Abi Martin
2. Samson Willcox
Irene Ryan Acting Scholarship Alternate:
1. James Bridges
Congratulations!
ACTF Nominees for As You Like It
ACTF Nominees for As You Like It
The Salem State University Theatre and Speech Communication Department is thrilled to announce the AS YOU LIKE IT merit award recipients and Irene Ryan nominees for the Region 1 American College Theatre Festival in January 2026:
Merit Award Recipients/Nominees (Returning students who are encouraged to submit their work for ACTF):
1. James Bridges for Dramaturgy
2. Jennifer O’Connell for Stage Management
Merit Award Recipients (Graduating seniors):
1. Ian Tomarakos for Dramaturgy
Additional Merit Awards (Special recognition):
1. The As You Like It Stage Management Team: Jennifer O’Connell, Stefani Galeano, Lillie-Marie LeClair, and Charlie Marrero
2. Cameron Holmes for Music Composition
Irene Ryan Acting Scholarship Nominees:
1. Sara Gluck
2. Raya Young
Irene Ryan Acting Scholarship Alternate:
1. Cameron Holmes
Congratulations!
ACTF Nominees for Collective Rage: A Play in 5 Betties
ACTF Nominees for Collective Rage: A Play in 5 Betties
The Salem State University Theatre and Speech Communication Department is thrilled to announce the Collective Rage: A Play in 5 Betties merit award recipients and Irene Ryan nominees for the Region 1 American College Theatre Festival in January 2026:
Merit Award Recipients (returning students are encouraged to submit their work for ACTF):
Lola Cassino for Dramaturgy
Max Dupuis for Stage Management
Merit Award Recipients (graduating seniors):
Bella Perez for Allied Crafts (Props)
Irene Ryan Acting Scholarship Nominees:
Lola Cassino
Katie Hoskyns
Irene Ryan Acting Scholarship Alternate:
Christina Izaguirre
Congratulations!
2025 Region 1 Awards
2025 Region 1 Awards
2025 Region 1 Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival Awards!
2025 Region 1 Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival Awards!
⭐️Jennifer O’Connell received the Mental Health Stage Management Award!
⭐️Alecia DiCicco received Honorable Mention for Lighting Design!
⭐️Bella Perez received Honorable Mention for Allied Crafts!
⭐️James Bridges received the Dramaturgy Award!
⭐️Cameron Nye received the Past Chair Scholarship!
⭐️Raya Young received the Best Scene Partner Award!
⭐️Sara Gluck won 1st Place in the Irene Ryan Acting Scholarship!
CONGRATULATIONS!!!! 🎉🎉🎉
#TeamSalemState
Recent Festivals and Accolades
Recent Festivals and Accolades
2024 Region 1 Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival Awards
2024 Region 1 Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival Awards
⭐️ Mandi Clifford won the SDC (Directing) competition!
⭐️Cam Cottuli won 1st place for Stage Management!
⭐️ Sarah Jean Durning is the 2nd alternate for the Irene Ryan Acting Scholarship, and won the Classical Acting Award!
⭐️ Caroline Forbes won 1st Alternate for the Irene Ryan Acting Scholarship!
⭐️ Anya Saben won Best Scene Partner for the Irene Ryan Acting Scholarship!
⭐️ Connor Stamm won an Allied Crafts award for Technical Direction, and placed 5th in the Tech Olympics!
⭐️ Ian Tomarakos won 1st place for the Irene Ryan Acting Scholarship!
CONGRATULATIONS!!! 🎉🎉🎉
#TeamSalemState
2023 Region 1 Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival Awards
2023 Region 1 Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival Awards
Stephen Caliskan is the Region 1 Finalist for the National Irene Ryan Acting Scholarship, with an invitation to the National festival in Washington D.C. this spring! Stephen also received the NETC Best Monologue award!
Sam Kiff is the Region 1 Finalist for the KCACTF Excellence in Costume Design Award, with an invitation to the National festival in Washington D.C. this spring!
Jordan Mitchell is the Region 1 Finalist for the SDC Directing Initiative Award, with an invitation to the National festival in Washington D.C. this spring!
Lily Barnes is the Region 1 Finalist for the KCACTF Excellence in Stage Management Award, with an invitation to the National festival in Washington D.C. this spring!
Isabella Perez is the Region 1 Finalist for The Randy Lutz Allied Design & Technology Award, with an invitation to attend USITT this spring!
Destany Foley received Honorable Mention in Allied Design and Technologies!
Rachael Schuster won the Dramaturgy Regional Recognition Award!
Alyssa Fluet won the VASTA Award (for voice) and the Region 1 Classical Acting Award!
Michelle Moran won the Region 1 Finalist Scene Partner! As a National Irene Ryan Acting Scholarship Scene Partner, she is invited to attend the National festival in Washington D.C. this spring!
As the scene partner for the Region 1 Irene Ryan Acting Scholarship finalist, Anya Saben will also be attending the National festival in Washington, D.C. this spring!
CONGRATULATIONS!!! 🎉🎉🎉
#TeamSalemState
2022 Region 1 Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival Awards
2022 Region 1 Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival Awards
Benjamin Richard: KCACTF Honorable Mention for Sound Design, for Orlando
Caitlyn Luria: Irene Ryan Acting Scholarship Auditions- Second Alternate
Isaac Goldbaum: KCACTF Honorable Mention for Scenic Design, for Machinal
Alecia DiCicco: Jane Childs DTM Legacy Award for The Skin of Our Teeth
Jordan Mitchell: SDC Directing Initiative Award, Region 1 Finalist
Fernando Barbosa: Best Classical Acting Award and Irene Ryan Acting Scholarship Auditions- First Alternate
CONGRATULATIONS!!! 🎉🎉🎉
#TeamSalemState
2021 Region 1 Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival Awards
2021 Region 1 Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival Awards
ISAAC GOLDBAUM received the Region 1 Achievement in Scenic Design Award, the Vectorworks Award, a SILV Award (which includes an invitation to an intensive training program at The Stagecraft Institute of Las Vegas), and is an Individual Tech Trivia Champion!
LAURA CHIPMAN received a SILV Award (which includes an invitation to an intensive training program at The Stagecraft Institute of Las Vegas)!
HUNTER A. MOUNTZ received the Region 1 Excellence in Lighting Design Award, and will be competing at the national festival and attending the USITT Virtual Conference. Hunter also received a SILV Award (which includes an invitation to an intensive training program at The Stagecraft Institute of Las Vegas)!
FERNANDO BARBOSA received the NETC Best Comedic Actor Award!
RÉMANI LIZANA is the Region 1 Finalist for the National Irene Ryan Acting Scholarship and will be competing at the national festival!
Salem State University also won the Tech Trivia Championship overall, and will run the Tech Olympics at next year's Region 1 festival.
The cast of BEDROOM FARCE for Ensemble Work
MEGAN POBIEDZINSKI for Stage Management in BEDROOM FARCE
ETHAN S. DUNFORD for Sound Design in BEDROOM FARCE
ALEX "BOVIE" BOSIEVERT for Stage Management in THE LONG CHRISTMAS RIDE HOME
LAURA CHIPMAN for Projection Design in THE LONG CHRISTMAS RIDE HOME
The cast and crew of THE LONG CHRISTMAS RIDE HOME for Ensemble Work
Innovative Use of Technology: THE LONG CHRISTMAS RIDE HOME Salem State University
Special Achievement in Overall Production Design: THE LONG CHRISTMAS RIDE HOME Salem State University
Special Achievement in Costume Design: THE LONG CHRISTMAS RIDE HOME Salem State University -Jane Hillier-Walkowiak
Special Achievement in Puppet Design: THE LONG CHRISTMAS RIDE HOME Salem State University -Jane Hillier-Walkowiak
Special Achievement in Scenic Design: THE LONG CHRISTMAS RIDE HOME Salem State University –Michael M. Harvey
Special Achievement in Projection Design or Digital Editing: THE LONG CHRISTMAS RIDE HOME Salem State University –Michael M. Harvey
Special Achievement in Stage Management: THE LONG CHRISTMAS RIDE HOME Salem State University - Alex “Bovie” Boisvert
Special Achievement in Performance
THE LONG CHRISTMAS RIDE HOME Salem State University - (Steven) Caleb Dion
THE LONG CHRISTMAS RIDE HOME Salem State University - (Claire) Madison Gallagher
THE LONG CHRISTMAS RIDE HOME Salem State University - (Rebecca) Margaret Sweeney
Special Achievement in Ensemble Collaboration - Performance and Production: THE LONG CHRISTMAS RIDE HOME - Salem State University
Special Achievement: Overall Production: THE LONG CHRISTMAS RIDE HOME - Salem State University
Special Achievement in Directing: THE LONG CHRISTMAS RIDE HOME Salem State University - Peter Sampieri
CONGRATULATIONS!!! 🎉🎉🎉
#TeamSalemState
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