All around the nation, theater students work to have their talents noticed. In the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival (KCACTF), that’s exactly what happens.

KCACTF is a program where judges go to colleges to see student performances, and they select students to be accepted into the festival, where they have a chance to be awarded for excellence with scholarships.

The students who win at regionals, which the ISU theater department is hosting this year, win a scholarship. Four to six of the best performances at regionals get to go to nationals. According to the KCACTF website, “KCACTF has given more than 400,000 college theater students the opportunity to have their work critiqued, improve their dramatic skills and receive national recognition for excellence.”

At Iowa State, there are eight students who are regional nominees for the Irene Ryan Acting Scholarship, which features outstanding performances nominated throughout the school year. There are 16 $500 awards given to finalists at regionals, and two $3,000 scholarships given at nationals.

Out of 295 actors who were nominated, Mark Klooster, senior in performing arts, Brittny Rebhuhn, senior in performing arts, and Maddie Welterlen, senior in music and performing arts, made it as three of 64 to go on to the semifinals for the Irene Ryan competition. Only 16 of that 64 are selected for the finals.

Throughout the week, the festival will be going on at Iowa State Center, in Fisher Theater and the Scheman Building. ISU Theatre’s “Six Characters,” which was performed last spring, was selected to perform Thursday as one of the top plays in Region V.

If students wish to attend the festival for one day, they are allowed to register on-site on the first floor of the Scheman Building. One day registration is $30, and students would be required to wear a name tag in order to enter a performance or workshop.