The American College Theatre Festival (ACTF) proudly announces the recipients of the 2026 National Production Awards and Meritorious Commendations, recognizing outstanding achievement in collegiate theatre across the United States. These honors celebrate work from the distinguished invited productions presented at the eight regional festivals and highlight exceptional artistry, innovation, and collaboration among student artists, faculty mentors, and theatre programs nationwide. Selected from hundreds of productions performed at colleges and universities across the country in 2025, the award-winning works represent the highest level of creative excellence showcased through ACTF.

Cast, crew, and supporters of “The Vagina Monologues.”

Northern Essex Community College received 13 awards and commendations in all for its invited production of “The Vagina Monologues.”

“Each year, the American College Theatre Festival reminds us just how vibrant and imaginative theatre in higher education can be,” said Brad Dell, National Chair of ACTF. “The productions recognized this year showcase the extraordinary talent, artistry, and innovation of students, faculty, staff, and guest artists from across the nation. Their work reflects the collaborative spirit and creative excellence that define college theatre today, and we are thrilled to celebrate the remarkable achievements emerging from our campuses.”

National Awards

The Citizen Artist Award 
The Citizen Artist Awards recognize programs in higher education using theatrical production to promote long-term societal impact in artistic terms, encouraging empathetic exploration of the complex cultural and physical world, and advocating for justice on campus and throughout the world.

•”The Vagina Monologues,” by Eve Ensler, Northern Essex Community College

Facilitation of a Brave Rehearsal Space 
This recognition celebrates theatre faculty and guest artists who/that create a rehearsal room community that prioritizes the mental, physical, and emotional well-being of their student artists and empowers those students to take on challenging stories or moments onstage.

• “The Vagina Monologues,” by Eve Ensler, Northern Essex Community College

Distinguished Performance in a Play 

• Maggie Evans, “The Vagina Monologues,” by Eve Ensler, Northern Essex Community College
• Naima Eve, “The Vagina Monologues,” by Eve Ensler, Northern Essex Community College
• Mirrorajah Metcalfe, “The Vagina Monologues,” by Eve Ensler, Northern Essex Community College
• Jenny Ngo, “The Vagina Monologues,” by Eve Ensler, Northern Essex Community College

Distinguished Performance Ensemble 

• “The Vagina Monologues,” by Eve Ensler, Northern Essex Community College

National Alliance of Acting Teacher of Excellence (Region 1) 

• Brianne Beatrice, Northern Essex Community College

ACTF Meritous Commendations

“The Vagina Monologues” produced by Northern Essex Community College:

• Performance and Production Ensemble
• Projection Design – Rick Ingham
• Director of a Play – Brianne Beatrice
• Resilient Leadership of a Theatre Program
• Dramaturg – Jessica Coutinho Newey

Spring Production

This weekend, NECC Theater will present this spring’s production, “Angels in America,” by Tony Kushner. The show will be performed April 30- May 3 at the Chester H. Hawrylciw Theater in the Spurk Building on the Haverhill Campus.

Showtimes:
April 30, 4:00 p.m.
May 1, 7:00 p.m. – President’s Performance – Reservations are recommended and can be made by contacting Heather Ringwald
May 2, 7:00 p.m.
May 3, 2:00 p.m.

General Admission: $20
Students & Seniors: $10

Purchase tickets here.