MESA, Arizona -- Jan. 2, 2024 -- Mesa Community College and its Communication, Theatre & Film Arts department is hosting the prestigious Region VIII Conference of the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival (KCACTF) Feb. 11-15, 2025.

Hundreds of students and faculty from over 50 colleges and universities in KCACTF Region VIII states: Arizona, Central and Southern California, Hawaii, Southern Nevada, Utah, and Guam will compete during Conference 57.

Individual performances, full-scale productions and other student works compete for awards recognizing excellence in the arts and craft of theater, which includes performance, design, technology, playwriting and management.

Following the regional competition, award recipients and representatives from selected productions go on to attend the national KCACTF at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C. the week of April 15, 2025.

MCC initially had the honor of hosting the KCACTF Region VIII in 2017, and again in 2018 for KCACTF’s 50th anniversary conference, because of the proximity of its two state of the art facilities, the MCC Theatre and Performing Arts Center. ”

“I am incredibly proud of the exceptional caliber of our Theatre department, whose dedication, passion, and talent continually set a high standard for excellence in the performing arts. It is truly an honor to host the regional KCACTF conference this year,” said Puvana Ganesan, Ph.D., chair of MCC’s Communication, Theatre & Film Arts department.

“This opportunity not only reflects the hard work and creativity of our students and faculty but also underscores our department's commitment to fostering a vibrant, innovative community of artists. Being chosen to host such a prestigious event is a testament to the strength of our program, and I am excited to see our students and faculty engage with the wider theatre community in this meaningful way.”

In its 57th year, the national KCACTF gathers award recipients from the eight regional festivals to provide students with master classes with leading artists from the international theatre community, opportunities to engage with peers from other regions, seats at local Washington D.C. productions, auditions for scholarship and residency opportunities, and attendance at the KCACTF national award ceremony.

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Media Contact:Dawn Zimmer, dawn.zimmer@mesacc.edu, 480-461-7892

An education in Theatre & Film Arts at MCC provides a valuable base from which to launch careers in film, television, stage, management, marketing, advertising, law, politics, theology, social work, or therapeutic fields. Students are provided opportunities to work with industry professionals from across the country and be successful at national competitions such as the national Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival and the AriZoni Theatre Awards of Excellence. Experience ranges from acting, design, writing, directing and serving as a crew member in a variety of productions. Learn more about the program and upcoming performances at mesacc.edu/arts.

The Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival (KCACTF) encourages and celebrates the finest and most diverse theatrical productions from colleges and universities nationwide. Through the regional and national festivals, the KCACTF celebrates the achievements of theater programs, individual students, and faculty of colleges and universities throughout the United States. The eight regional festivals provide opportunities for colleges and universities to showcase their finest work to diverse audiences of theater students and faculty from their regions. MCC is part of KCACTF Region VII. Additional information is available online at https://kcactf-8.org

Mesa Community College (MCC) is nationally recognized for its excellence in university transfer, career and technical programs, civic engagement, and innovative education. Serving over 25,500 students annually, MCC offers a range of degree and certificate programs across its two campuses and additional locations. MCC students contribute more than 8,500 hours of community service annually. For nearly 60 years, MCC has been a key resource for education, workforce development, and lifelong learning. The college enhances student success through Guided Pathways with Integrated Support Services and is dedicated to diversity, equity, and inclusion. A Hispanic Serving Institution, nearly 50% of MCC students are first-generation college attendees, and it boasts the largest indigenous student population among Maricopa County Community College District (MCCCD) colleges. The MCC American Indian Institute supports students from 22 Arizona tribes and additional out-of-state tribes. MCC's diverse student body includes hundreds of international students. Our award-winning faculty are committed to helping students achieve their goals through high-quality education and training. Located in the East Valley of Phoenix, Arizona, on the traditional lands of the O'odham, Piipaash, and Yavapai Peoples, MCC is one of 10 MCCCD colleges. Learn more at mesacc.edu.

MCC is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), hlcommission.org.

The Maricopa County Community College District (MCCCD) is an EEO/AA institution and an equal opportunity employer of protected veterans and individuals with disabilities. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, or national origin. A lack of English language skills will not be a barrier to admission and participation in the career and technical education programs of the District. MCCCD does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability or age in its programs or activities. For Title IX/504 concerns, call the following number to reach the appointed coordinator: (480) 731-8499. For additional information, as well as a listing of all coordinators within the Maricopa College system, visit www.maricopa.edu/non-discrimination.