YouthFest Companies
Meet the best of the best in youth theatre! These outstanding companies earned their place at AACT YouthFest 2025 after advancing through state and regional festivals... now they're taking the national stage in Des Moines.
YouthFest
national festival
AACTFest Cycle
AACT YouthFest 2025 National Companies
After months of preparation, seven exceptional youth theatre companies have been selected to take the national stage at AACT YouthFest 2025, held June 22–24 at the Des Moines Playhouse in Des Moines, Iowa.
These young artists will present their productions in a welcoming, educational environment that encourages growth, creativity, and collaboration. In addition to their performances, participants will enjoy a full schedule of workshops, activities, and social events designed just for them.
LANDMARK COMMUNITY THEATRE
Thomaston, CT
Region I
Disney's The Little Mermaid JR
Music by Alan Menken, Lyrics by Howard Ashman & Glenn Slater, Book by Doug Wright
EBONG THEATRIX
Bethesda, MD
Region II
Avinash
Written by Arindam Ghosh
CENTRAL PARK PLAYERS
Grand Haven, MI
Region III
Runaway Princess
Book by Kate Reinders, Music by Paul Gordon
CIVIC THEATRE OF GREATER LAFAYETTE
Lafayette, IN
Region III
Mac Beth
Adapted by Erica Schmidt
NORTHERN STARZ CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS
Ramsey, MN
Region V
Dark Road
Written by Laura Lundgren Smith
CLARK YOUTH THEATRE
Tulsa, OK
Region VI
Lost Girl
Written by Kimberly Belflower
TERRACE PLAYHOUSE YOUTH THEATRE TROUPE
US Army Garrison, Ansbach, Germany
Region X (U.S. Military Overseas)
In the Tank
Written by Rosemary Frisino Toohey
*Performance will be a Video Playback
These exceptional youth theatre companies will present their productions in an open forum designed to encourage learning and growth. In addition to performances, YouthFest participants will engage in workshops, activities, and social events tailored specifically for young theatre artists.
Thanks to the generous support of the Jack K. Ayre and Frank Ayre Lee Theatre Foundation, YouthFest is able to provide vital travel and housing assistance to participating groups, helping make this national celebration accessible for young theatre artists from across the country.