Regional theatre festival comes to Sioux Falls—hosted by local universities

January 18, 2019

The Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival Region 5 will be held in Sioux Falls on January 20-26 for its 51st festival. The event is hosted by South Dakota State University and the University of South Dakota in association with the University of Sioux Falls and Augustana University.

“I’m excited to bring this festival to my home,” said Jim Wood, KCACTF Region 5 Chair. “This is a great opportunity to show students a Midwestern community with a vibrant arts scene. I’m hoping students will see that you don’t have to leave to make art. Great art can happen wherever you are!”

More than 18,000 college and university students nationwide participate in KCACTF each year for a full week of total immersion in theatre. The Region 5 event brings together 1,500 college students from a seven-state region of Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota and South Dakota.

The event provides an opportunity for college students to pursue career success in the theatre industry with profession-based learning and hands-on experience. Each day of the festival includes various workshops, auditions and competitions.

“Hosting KCACTF in Sioux Falls is so exciting because it gives us an opportunity to showcase our city and its vibrant arts scene,” said USF Theatre Program Director and Assistant Professor of Theatre, Joe Obermueller. “We don't have to go to Minneapolis or Des Moines to experience great art—we've got it all right here in Sioux Falls.” 

The festival will be held at a variety of venues including the Washington Pavilion, Orpheum Theatre and Holiday Inn Sioux Falls-City Centre.

“USF is proud to be an associate host for KCACTF because the festival provides excellent opportunities for collegiate theatre artists to grow in their craft, build relationships among other students and professionals in our region, and most importantly, discover ways they can use their gifts in the arts to serve others,” Obermueller said.

This year 31 USF students will be participating in the weeklong festival through volunteering, auditions, attending workshops and more. Six USF students were nominated and are competing in the Irene Ryan Scholarship auditions. USF’s Alecia Martinez and Elena Luke are teaching two workshops at the festival. 

The states composing Region 5 include Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota and South Dakota.

The 2020 festival for Region 5 will be held in Sioux Falls as well. Learn more about KCACTF here.

Save the date for an opportunity to see the talent of USF theatre first hand by attending She Loves Me, April 10-14. Tickets here.