Carthage’s cast and crew of ‘The Genderless Play Experiment’ attend KCACTF
The Carthage Theatre Department brought their outstanding cast and crew of “The Genderless Play Experiment” to the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival (KCACTF), an annual national theatre program involving thousands of students from colleges and universities from all around the United States.
The festival is an opportunity for college-level theatre students to receive valuable critiques for their work, refine their dramatic skills, and gain national recognition for their feats in the world of theatre.
Carthage participates in the Region III festival, which includes theatre productions from colleges and universities in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Wisconsin, and Western Ohio. This branch of the KCACTF took place from Jan. 10 through Jan. 14 at the University of Michigan in Flint, Michigan. Carthage’s showcase of the “The Genderless Play Experiment” took place on the festival’s first day in the Capitol Theatre.
When asked about the valuable experience of being able to perform “The Genderless Play Experiment” at the KCACTF, cast member Katherine Layendecker ’25 said, “This was not only a wonderful experience where I got to put on a show for people who love theatre as much as I do, but also the chance to perform in front of a large audience. Though I’m unsure of the exact number, I can say with absolute certainty that I have never had the chance to perform in front of so many people. It was phenomenal to interact with that audience and my fellow cast members for this show at KCACTF.”
In addition to bringing various theatre productions together, the KCACTF also offers valuable networking opportunities for students pursuing careers in theatre and theatre production.
“People always tell you that networking is important, but when you are at the KCACTF, you could be standing in the Subway line next to someone from an off-Broadway touring company or taking a workshop from the casting director of the TV show ‘The Bear,’” said Emily Halfmann ’25, festival attendee. “It really brings to light the importance of always being a good, professional person.”
This experience is extremely valuable to the lives and careers of our theatre students at Carthage, and such experiences lend only to the future success, skill, and accomplishment of the talented and hardworking individuals, students and faculty alike, involved in the Theatre Department. What a fantastic opportunity it is not only to be able to attend this festival, but also to further introduce the world to Carthage’s fiercely talented students and faculty
Well done to all of the cast and crew of “The Genderless Play Experiment.” We are looking forward to what the Theatre Department and its members will bring us (and the world at large) next!