AACTFest 2025 at Hoyt Sherman Place

The American Association of Community Theatre (AACT) is thrilled to bring AACTFest 2025, the National Community Theatre Festival, to Des Moines, Iowa, June 25–28, 2025. This unforgettable, four-day celebration of theatre will feature 12 award-winning productions from across the country, selected through a national cycle of state and regional festivals. These performances showcase the very best in community theatre and represent a powerful range of voices, stories, and artistic excellence.

But the magic of AACTFest doesn’t stop at the curtain: full festival registration unlocks a dynamic lineup of educational workshops covering multiple aspects of theatre, from directing and design to performance and production. Attendees will also enjoy access to an industry exhibit hall, engaging networking events, and lively social gatherings with theatre-makers from across the nation.

Performances by the AACT National Companies kick off on Wednesday, June 25, at the stunning, historic Hoyt Sherman Place Theater. Just steps away, the Des Moines Marriott Downtown will serve as the Festival and Conference Headquarters, placing attendees in the heart of the city’s vibrant arts, dining, and entertainment scene.

2025 National Company Selections: 

• Time Stands Still – Quannapowitt Players (Reading, MA)

• Avinash – Ebong Theatrix (Bethesda, MD)

• The Way of All Fish – Sandy Spring Theatre Group (Gaithersburg, MD)

• Silent Sky – Stagecrafters (Auburn Hills, MI)

• Love, Loss, and What I Wore – Verona Area Community Theater (Verona, WI)

• Happy Hour at Pink Place – Highlands Lakeside Theatre (Sebring, FL)

• Tone Clusters – Tupelo Community Theatre (Tupelo, MS)

• Forever Plaid – Absolute Theatre (Rochester, MN)

• Men on Boats – Des Moines Playhouse (Des Moines, IA)

• Tuesdays with Morrie – Baytown Little Theater (Baytown, TX)

• Natural Shocks – Sopris Theatre Company (Glenwood Springs, CO)

• Constellations – Theatre33 (Bellevue, WA)

In addition to remarkable performances, AACTFest 2025 offers a Theatre Management pre-conference, interactive workshops, top-tier vendor displays, exciting design and monologue competitions, and fun social events. The experience culminates in a grand awards presentation celebrating excellence in community theatre.

AACTFest is not just a festival: it’s a celebration of the art and spirit of community theatre and an unparalleled opportunity for learning and connection. Festival registration is open now at aact.org/25 for those who want the full experience. Prefer to catch just a few performances? Individual show passes for performance blocks will be available starting May 1 at aactfest25.ludus.com.

The American Association of Community Theatre serves more than 7,000 theatres across the United States and its territories, including U.S. Military theatres overseas. AACT helps theatres thrive by providing education, networking, resources, and national recognition.