Venice Theatre will once again host the international aactWorldFest from June 15 to 20, 2026, welcoming community theatre troupes from around the globe to Southwest Florida for a weeklong celebration of performance and culture.
The festival will feature live productions, cultural workshops, and opportunities for attendees to connect through dinners, after-glow gatherings, drum circles, and informal lobby conversations. Past festivals have included theatre companies from Armenia, Bangladesh, Brazil, France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, Ukraine, and the United States. Many groups perform in their native languages, underscoring the event’s focus on theatre as a universal art form.
In addition to stage performances, festivalgoers will be able to participate in workshops ranging from theatrical wig styling to mindfulness for actors. The combination of cultural exchange, artistic learning, and social connection has made aactWorldFest a unique international experience for both performers and audiences.
To preview what’s ahead, Venice Theatre will host a “Pull Up a Chair” talk with Producing Executive Director Murray Chase and Director of Diversity, Education and Outreach Kristofer Geddie on Tuesday, Sept. 30, at 4 p.m. in the Raymond Center.
The 2026 festival marks another milestone in Venice’s role as host for one of the few world theatre events of its kind, bringing together artists and audiences to share stories, traditions, and friendships across borders.
Pictured is a scene from World Fest 2022 of Teatro delle Ombre’s “Clan Macbeth”.
