Vectorworks has congratulated the student winners of the 2026 Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival (KCACTF) regional design awards. These talented designers have demonstrated standout creativity and technical skill in scenic and lighting design, representing the next wave of storytellers in the entertainment industry.
The Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival is a national program that annually engages more than 18,000 students from colleges and universities across the United States. Since its inception, KCACTF has provided more than 400,000 students with opportunities to have their work critiqued, refine their dramatic skills, and gain national recognition for excellence, with millions of theatregoers attending productions nationwide.
“These students are already telling ambitious stories with thoughtful, technically strong designs, and that’s exactly the kind of work that moves our industry forward,” said Vectorworks Academic Marketing Manager Tyler French. “We’re excited to help them deepen their skills with Vectorworks Spotlight and keep building confidence as they step into professional roles.”
Vectorworks is proud to support KCACTF’s mission by recognizing student designers in the Design, Technology, and Management disciplines and helping them build fluency with the same professional tools used across live entertainment and events. Each 2026 regional design award recipient will receive a complimentary Vectorworks Spotlight annual subscription.
2026 KCACTF Vectorworks Award Recipients:
Region 1: Orrin Dow, SUNY Dutchess Community College
Region 2: Maxwell Leeuwen, Towson University
Region 3: Gemma Ffrench, Wilbur Wright College
Region 4: Noah Checketts, Georgia Southern University
Region 5: Jordan Malone, University of Kansas
Region 6: Alec Ochoa Razo, Angelo State University
Region 7: Skylar McLeod, Linfield University
Region 8: Magnus Terry, Paradise Valley Community College
“At KCACTF, we’re committed to giving student designers space to experiment, refine their craft, and connect with working professionals,” said Misti Bradford, National Chair, Design, Technology and Management at KCACTF. “Partners like Vectorworks make it possible for our students to learn on professional-grade tools and see a clear path from the classroom to the rehearsal room and beyond.”
Vectorworks remains committed to empowering students and educators by offering free educational licenses, lab software, discounted professional subscriptions through the student2PRO program, and extensive training resources through Vectorworks University.
