The American College Theatre Festival has suspended their affiliation with the John F. Kennedy Performing Arts Center, and has ended their 58 year partnership with the D.C. institution for the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival (KCACTF).
The organization revealed the severance in a Facebook post, writing that their affiliation is "no longer viable," while also asserting that this does not mark an end for The American College Theatre Festival's programming, but a new beginning:
"Due to circumstances and decisions that do not align with our organization’s values, the National Committee, which includes regional leadership (regional chairs, regional playwriting chairs, regional design, technology, and management chairs, and the building opportunity through leadership and development chairs) has voted to suspend our affiliation with the Kennedy Center. We are proceeding with the eight vibrant regional conferences as planned for 2026...The American College Theatre Festival will continue, and we are confident that we can and will sustain the extraordinary opportunities, celebrations, and connections that define our work. We remain steadfast in our mission to encourage, recognize, and celebrate the finest and most diverse work created in college and university theatre programs; to provide opportunities for participants to develop their skills, insight, and professionalism; to elevate the quality of theatre produced in higher education; to champion distinguished productions of new plays—especially those written by students—as well as revitalized classics and bold, experimental works, and building opportunity through leadership and development."
This separation comes on the heels of the Kennedy Center board voting to rename the historic venue the Trump-Kennedy Center. The voting board were all appointed by President Trump earlier this year. The official website has already changed its header to read "The Trump Kennedy Center," though the URL remains kennedy-center.org. Since Trump took over the Kennedy Center earlier this year, deposing its former leadership and installing himself and his loyalists at the head of it, the President has also been vocal about his desire to have the institution itself renamed after him. In response to the change in leadership, a number of high profile artists and shows (including the Hamilton tour) have cancelled their engagements at the Center, and ticket sales have fallen as a result.
In partnership with the John F. Kennedy Center, The American College Theatre Festival's annual KCACTF has long served as the culmination of the collegiate theatre year, highlighting diverse and exciting theatre from more than 600 colleges and universities throughout the United States, all competing in one of eight regional competitions.
