EAC to represent excellence in theatre at prestigious Kennedy Center Festival

Callie Walters Photo/EAC: Eastern Arizona College (EAC) is proud to announce its participation in the Region VIII Conference of the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival (KCACTF), to be held February 11-15, 2025, at Mesa Community College in Mesa, AZ. This remarkable achievement reflects the dedication and talent of EAC’s students and faculty in the performing arts. Pictured here is the cast of The Play That Goes Wrong.

By Lori Dugan/EAC

THATCHER —Eastern Arizona College (EAC) is proud to announce its participation in the Region VIII Conference of the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival (KCACTF), to be held February 11-15, 2025, at Mesa Community College in Mesa, AZ. This remarkable achievement reflects the dedication and talent of EAC’s students and faculty in the performing arts.

Hundreds of students and faculty from over 50 colleges and universities in KCACTF’s Region VIII—encompassing Arizona, Central and Southern California, Hawaii, Southern Nevada, Utah, and Guam—will gather to celebrate and compete in this prestigious event. Region VIII’s Conference showcases exceptional talent through individual performances, full-scale productions, and other creative works, competing for performance, design, technology, playwriting, and management awards.

EAC’s production of The Play That Goes Wrong” has been selected as one of only four winning invited productions for the festival. The cast and crew will take the entire production, including set, props, and costumes, to perform live at the event. Jeff Skiba, EAC’s Theater Director, expressed his pride and gratitude, stating, “We are so honored and excited for this opportunity as a reflection of the excellence that is EAC’s theater program. This is a great nod to the talented individuals working at and attending Eastern Arizona College. We’re deeply thankful to the college administration for their steadfast support of the arts.”

Adding to the celebration, several EAC theater students have been nominated for the prestigious Irene Ryan Acting Scholarship. These outstanding students include:

  • Addie Omerza
  • Brianna Richins
  • Noah Ellis
  • David Allred
  • Jocelynn Leon
  • Victoria Thatcher
  • Joanna Cuellar
  • Merrill Larsen
  • Kelbie Flake
  • Ayden Creed Johnson
  • Camille Woods

In addition to the invited productions, students will have the opportunity to participate in programs for design, technology, stage management, playwriting, performance, musical theatre, devised theatre, directing, and more. Winners of regional competitions will advance to the national KCACTF held at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C., during the week of April 15, 2025.

About the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival (KCACTF)

KCACTF is a national theater program involving 18,000 students annually from colleges and universities nationwide. The program’s mission is to:

  • Encourage, recognize, and celebrate the finest and most diverse work in college theater programs;
  • Provide opportunities for participants to develop their theater skills and achieve professionalism;
  • Improve the quality of college theater in the U.S. and
  • Promote distinguished productions of new and experimental plays. Since its inception, KCACTF has impacted over 400,000 theater students, providing a platform for excellence and innovation in the performing arts. 

About Eastern Arizona College

Since 1888, Eastern Arizona College has been the undisputed Smart Higher Education Destination, shaping student dreams into reality. With a faculty of qualified and caring instructors, EAC is committed to preparing students for high-demand careers and advanced studies at top universities.

EAC offers a diverse range of more than 90 degrees and certificates, including two bachelor’s degrees. The College is home to the state’s premier nursing school and a fine arts program that features Arizona’s only community college marching band. EAC also boasts an engineering program that prepares students for success at top-tier firms and universities.

Beyond academics, EAC is a vibrant community where students thrive, forging connections that last a lifetime. Experience on-campus housing, engage in over 30 clubs and organizations, participate in dynamic intramurals, and cheer for nationally ranked athletic and e-sports teams.

What sets EAC apart is its commitment to financial accessibility, allowing most students to graduate with $0 debt.

Choose EAC as your Smart Higher Education Destination. For more information, contact admissions@eac.edu or call (928) 428-8272.