Olivia Beaullan-Thong
  • Theatre
  • Class of 2016
  • Hamden, CT

Eastern Student Olivia Beaullan-Thong of Hamden Participates in Kennedy Center American College Theatre Program

2016 Mar 11

More than 20 theatre students, faculty and alumni from Eastern Connecticut State University participated in the annual Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival (KCACTF) earlier this semester. This year, Region I of the KCACTF was held at Western Connecticut State University in Danbury.

Among the participants was Olivia Beaullan-Thong '16 of Hamden, who majors in Theatre at Eastern.

Students competed in acting, design and technical theatre competitions; presented and attended workshops and shows; auditioned for festival shows and summer jobs/internships; and acted as festival interns and stage managers for festival productions.

Roger L. Stevens started the Kennedy Center American College Theatre (KCACTF) program in 1969. The KCACTF is a national theatre program with 18,000 participants from colleges and universities nationwide that has improved the quality of college theatre in the United States. The program has grown into a network with more than 600 academic institutions throughout the country. Theatre departments and student artists showcase their work in return for outside assessment by the KCACTF respondents.

"KCACTF is always an eye-opening experience for our students as they meet, work with and compete against hundreds of other theatre students from throughout the region," said Theatre Professor Ellen Brodie.

The KCACTF's mission is to encourage, recognize and celebrate the finest and most diverse work produced in university and college theatre programs. The participants are given opportunities to develop their theatre skills, insight and professionalism. The festival is aimed at improving the quality of college and university theatre in America.

The KCACTF is a program that lasts year-round in eight geographic regions in the United States. Participants celebrate the creative process while being able to share experiences and insights within the community. Participants can receive individual recognition through awards and scholarships in playwriting, acting, directing and design.

In January and February of each year, the festival offers a variety of activities, including workshops and award programs. Students get the chance to compete for awards as well as participate in workshops.