An excerpt from Ann Arbor Civic Theatre's 2012 production of "Leaving Iowa" - by Tim Clue and Spike Manton - earned rave reviews at Michigan’s American Association of Community Theatres’ festival in Kalamazoo, which took place Feb. 22-24. Every cast member earned individual acting awards, and the the company also received awards for outstanding direction and lighting/sound design. The company now advances to the regional competition, happening in Wisconsin April 19-21.

A2CT released a press release about their success:

“We were thrilled to do so well in the festival,” says A2CT managing director Suzi Peterson. “We entered the festival at the urging of 'Leaving Iowa''s director, Michael Schacherbauer. Michael was heavily involved in theater festivals in Ohio for years, but A2CT has not entered the festival since the early 90’s. The event was a great way to mingle with other community theater members and to see what other theaters do; we indeed made some new friends in the theater community. We are looking forward to the regional competition in April.”

In preparation for the regional competition in April, a dress rehearsal of the excerpt of "Leaving Iowa" will take place at the A2CT Studio Theatre and will be open to the public, to help defray costs of sending the cast and crew to Wisconsin. A specific date and time is yet to be determined.

The talented and versatile cast of Leaving Iowa features Nick Boyer as Don, Matt Steward as Dad, Kathleen Beardmore as Mom, and Dana Denha as Sis. The cast also includes Isaac Ellis, Cassie Mann, and Steven White playing multiple characters.

For information about A2CT and the open dress rehearsal of "Leaving Iowa," visit www.a2ct.org or call 734-971-2228.

Jenn McKee is the entertainment digital journalist for AnnArbor.com. Reach her at jennmckee@annarbor.com or 734-623-2546, and follow her on Twitter @jennmckee.