Arcadia University Theater’s fall production of “Speech & Debate” has been invited to participate in the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Region II Festival on Jan. 6 at Montclair University.

Written by Tony Award winning playwright Stephen Karam, “Speech & Debate” begins when budding journalist Solomon uncovers a sex scandal at his high school. He sets out to expose the truth by pressuring fellow high school misfits Diwata and Howie to share what they know. But as it turns out, Diwata and Howie each have an agenda of their own. How far will Solomon go to pursue his story? Accusations fly, secrets are revealed, and songs are belted out in this dark comedy about coming-of-age in the Internet era.

“I love ‘Speech & Debate’ because it addresses issues that are pressing in this day and age in a way that is funny and heartfelt,” said Daniel D’Albis ’17, who acts in the production.

The play, which was performed on campus from Oct. 7 to 16, was directed by Adjunct Professor and Azuka Theatre Artistic Director Kevin Glaccum as part of Azuka’s Virginia and Harvey Kimmel New Professionals Production. The production also stars Lindsay Deal ’17, Kristopher Karcher ’17, Janine Silano ’19, and Brenda Chavarria ’18. The set was designed by Parris Bradley, adjunct professor of Theater Arts, with lights by Joshua Schulman, adjunct professor of Theater Arts. The show is sound designed by 2016 Barrymore nominee Damien Figueras ’16.

The Kennedy Center American College Theater (KCACTF) is a national theater program involving 18,000 students from colleges and universities nationwide which has served as a catalyst in improving the quality of college theater in the United States. The KCACTF has grown into a network of more than 600 academic institutions throughout the country, where theater departments and student artists showcase their work and receive outside assessment by KCACTF respondents.