On behalf of the KCACTF Region VIII Board of Governors, I welcome you to Festival 42. We gather each year to acknowledge outstanding theatre and to celebrate the accomplishments of theatre departments at colleges and universities throughout our region. 

Without the hospitality of the folks at Dixie State College of Utah and the dedication of the members of the regional board, as well as the many individuals who support this organization as respondents, an event like this would not be possible. I want to thank you all for spending so much of your valuable time and energy to support this organization.

Lately, I’ve been reflecting on that idea myself? Why do we spend so much time and energy doing theatre? What is our return for all this effort. 

It is clear that in our current world the idea of human connection is lost within the technology of communication. We email, text and tweet. But are they conversations? 

Theatre for me has become the opportunity for conversation. We discuss while we collaborate creating theatre. Even a performance is a conversation with the audience. Humans in a room together communicating.

That is what I find so satisfying about my theatre work. And KCACTF allows for that conversation to continues. I challenge you to find every opportunity for conversation this week at festival. Seeing the work gives us something common to discuss, but it is the exchange of ideas that helps us grow as artists. 

In an effort to help these conversations along we’ve schedule several of the production responses immediately after the performances. My hope is that you will stick around to be part of the conversation with our guest respondents.

We also have new social events for both the faculty/staff and students. We are starting a student fringe festival this year with a student social to follow. An opportunity for students to perform their own work and discuss that work with their peers. For the faculty/staff, we’re scheduling a Pasta Dinner as well. I wanted to create an opportunity for us to come together to discuss the festival experience in a dining atmosphere.

As we worked to put together this festival, it became clear to me why I spend so much energy. The rewards I get from the conversations that start at the responses during the academic year, to the discussions with my colleagues on the regional board and the dialogue with the representatives from the host school are immeasurable. I hope you enjoy your conversations this week as well.

John H. Binkley, Regional Chair
Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival, Region VIII