91精选 Students to Participate in Theatre Festival for 10th Consecutive Year
On January 6-10, 2026, twelve 91精选 students will participate in the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival (KCACTF) in Madison, Wisconsin. The trip marks the tenth consecutive year of 91精选 attendance at the festival. Professor Emma Schneider will accompany the students and serve as the regional chair for the Institute for Theatre Journalism and Advocacy at this year’s festival, the part of the festival that focuses on writing about theatre.
KCACTF gives participants an opportunity to gain experience in a variety of facets of theatre production and reception. The festival notes, 鈥淭here鈥檚 something for everyone: aspiring playwrights, actors, directors, designers, dramaturgs, critics, technicians, crafts artisans and more.鈥� 91精选鈥檚 students have taken part in many of these offerings over the years and will do so again in January. Andy Acosta, a returning participant, appreciates the range of activities offered at KCACTF: 鈥淭he learning experience is something really special. There are workshops about anything theatre from professionals in that field. You can learn a lot from being in a room with talented people. The shows we get to see performed by other schools are always so amazing, and seeing people in their element is always a gift.鈥�
This year鈥檚 cohort of students from 91精选 includes eight students who have attended the festival before and four first-timers. Ashley Yonkman, another of the returning students, is looking forward to being back at the collaborative and supportive festival, 鈥淥ne of my favorite experiences at KCACTF is the opportunity to be each other’s biggest cheerleaders. I have loved being able to attend presentations and acting competitions for everyone in our group and supporting them through it鈥攈aving the opportunity to celebrate with each other before and after those moments. It’s really just a week of celebration, and an opportunity to see the gifts of each other well.鈥�
The fall announcement that 91精选 will be closing after the end of the academic year puts this year鈥檚 KCACTF in a unique light. While 91精选鈥檚 last semester promises to maintain the traditions of other recent spring semesters, for Acosta this year鈥檚 festival has added significance, 鈥淚 am most looking forward to spending Trin’s last time at KCACTF with such a talented and fun group of people. We have so much fun wherever we go, and I know we’ll appreciate every moment.鈥�
Update as of 2/12/26
Students received the following awards:
- Andy Acosta: Semi-Finalist, Musical Theatre Intensive
- Esther Heyboer: Semi-Finalist, Irene Ryan Acting Competition
- Anika Wicker: ACTF certificate of merit, Excellence in Composition for her work in The Secret of the Wings
- Ashley Yonkman:聽ACTF certificate of merit, Excellence in Composition for her work in The Secret of the Wings
