AACT World Fest

08/25/2026

The sizzle reel is here!

aactWorldFest is a world-wide week-long community theatre festival ...

07/08/2026

06/19/2026

Hear from Maria Fokina Rakotonarivo, Director of "Sweet Addictions" - Switzerland's show at aactWorldFest 2026 🌏

We loved speaking with Maria on topics about her show, countries showing support for each other, and so much more!

Did you catch Switzerland's show and their workshop? Comment below!

06/18/2026

Last night, Sharky's on the Pier went global! 🌏 We brought aactWorldFest to a Venice favorite as we celebrated seeing old friends, making new friends, and enjoying a special midweek gathering during the festival.

We want to take a moment to thank the incredible volunteers who have opened their homes and dedicated their time to making this festival possible. We also want to thank all of the countries for traveling to Venice and making this week so impactful, creating meaningful connections and unforgettable memories that truly showcase the power of theatre to bring people together.

Here's to the last few days of aactWorldFest! 🎭

06/18/2026

Thank you to our AACT World Fest volunteer bloggers! (Tom Erb Liz VanPatten, Logan Schultz and Nancy Huffaker) The first three posts are up. Follow along with their reactions at

Venice Theatre

06/15/2026

Let’s welcome the final spotlight before the festival begins tonight, Ghana 🇬🇭

A one-woman award-winning multimodal performance piece that generates fresh perspectives on the experiences of the nameless African women, men, and children who once languished in the dungeons of Cape Coast Castle and suffered the agony of the Middle Passage. Based on original, firsthand research in the Ghana dungeons for African captives, Walking with My Ancestors takes the audience on a ritual journey that leads to revelation, reconciliation, and rebirth.

Through live drumming, singing, dancing, and acting, the performer explores how our national and cultural climates connect with truths of our shared and painful pasts. Each performance ends with a discussion about histories, repair, affirmations, and futurities. Ultimately, it is a story we share about triumph over adversity, resilience, and survival.

Register before the festival begins tonight! https://venicetheatre.my.salesforce-sites.com/ticket/ #/instances/a0FUQ000004iGQ92AM

Learn more about Walking with My Ancestors: Cape Coast Castle here: https://venicetheatre.org/events/ghana/

06/15/2026

Introducing VOCES from the CreArte Latino Cultural Center!

VOCES is an original project that seeks to foster an open conversation about relevant topics for the community. These oral testimonies allow us to share the true story and experiences of those around us. Based on conversations with people from the Hispanic community in Manatee and Sarasota Counties, these stories are woven together to create a space where these testimonials are read and performed in English by actors.

This theatrical experience also provides the opportunity for a “talkback” at the end of each show, where the audience, director, people who have shared their testimonies, and actors can discuss the impact of these monologues.

This edition will focus on adolescence, exploring the experiences, challenges, and triumphs of young people in this crucial stage of life.

There is still time to register! AACT World Fest 2026 begins tonight! Register at https://venicetheatre.my.salesforce-sites.com/ticket/ #/instances/a0FUQ000004iGQ92AM

Learn more about VOCES here: https://venicetheatre.org/events/us-latino/

06/15/2026

Next up for our spotlight: Ukraine and Russia 🇺🇦 🇷🇺

Presenting... Common Air:

Olga was born in Moscow. Iryna was born in Ukraine. They both live in the U.S. now. What do they have in common with each other? What do they have in common with us? Even in a time of war, we all breathe common air. Through movement and improvisational music, Olga and Iryna will share their stories – their common air – with us.

Register for AACTWorldFest, there's still time! https://aact.org/worldfest