The Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival (KCACTF) is making a grand return to the City of Glendale for the first time since Michael Jackson was moonwalking, circa 1994. The much-anticipated event will run from February 12-17, 2024, and it promises to gather some of the nation's brightest college theatre prodigies.

For those not in the know, Glendale, CA is ready to paint the town red, seriously folks, they're ready to roll out the red carpet for approximately 18,000 students from colleges across the map, including spots as diverse as Hawaii to Utah, and even Guam. The festival's website is the go-to source for an eye-popping event program brimming with public performances of the region’s top four winning plays, and obviously, a whole lot more.

Glendale city officials are buzzing with excitement. "We are thrilled to return to Glendale and its local community college after many years holding the festival in other locations,” Shaunté Keakalani Caraballo, MFA, let slip during a chat about the week-long art fest. And it seems Glendale Community College is set to become theatre central, decked out with the necessary digs to accommodate the shebang.

The festival is not just about watching stellar performances, it's an educational circus featuring competitions in categories like acting, lighting, directing, writing, and stage design. Bradley Calvert, Community Development Director, chirped in, “We also hope our local community joins and gets a glimpse of some of the amazing festival performances.”

If you're wondering about this corner of Los Angeles County, Glendale isn't just another pretty place on the map. With a population swinging over the 200,000 mark, it's got more to it than just a dynamic downtown. Think tech companies hobnobbing with high-end eateries and a chock-full Arts & Entertainment District that is pure catnip for the fancy diners out there. The festival is just another jewel in its cultural crown, promising to showcase a wide array of young theatrical talent.

As for tickets and any additional info on the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Arts Festival, make a beeline for their website, where everything you need to know is at your fingertips. And for those wondering what's up with Glendale's economic scene, direct your browser to ChooseGlendaleCA.com.