Haverhill, MA (December 11, 2025) — Northern Essex Community College Theater is once again taking center stage among the region’s best programs. The Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival (KCACTF) has selected NECC Theater to perform its spring 2025 production of The Vagina Monologues by Eve Ensler at the Region I Conference 58 in New York this January.

The show features alumna Mirrorajah Metcalfe ’25 and students Maggie Evans, Jenny Ngo, and Naima Eve. All four actors were also nominated to compete in the Irene Ryan Acting Scholarship. Jessica Newey received award nominations for stage management, lighting design, and dramaturgy.

“Festival,” as it’s called, brings together hundreds of college theater students, professors, and professionals from New England and New York to showcase their work and share their expertise. The Vagina Monologues was one of just six finalists chosen out of 60 productions, including shows from many prestigious four-year schools.

The KCACTF is a national theater program involving 18,000 students from colleges and universities nationwide, which has served as a catalyst for improving the quality of college theater in the United States. More than 600 academic institutions participate in state, regional, and national Kennedy Center American College Theater Festivals. The National Festival will be held in April in Washington, D.C.

NECC Theater has a long track record of success at both the regional and national Festivals. Notably, NECC Theater’s production of Hurricane Diane by Madeleine George was selected to perform at the Region I festival in 2024 and went on to receive thirteen national awards and the student fellowship from The Kennedy Center.

Northern Essex offers a variety of theater and acting courses. Additionally, they stage several full productions and readings throughout the year. Anyone interested in learning more about NECC Theater or the audition process should email Professor Beatrice at bbeatrice@necc.mass.edu.