The Kansas City Actors Theatre (KCAT) is a non-profit theatre company in Kansas City, Missouri.Kansas City Actors Theatre." Kansas City Actors Theatre RSS. N.p., n.d. Web. March 28. 2014. <http://www.kcactors.org>.
History Started in 2004, Kansas City Actors Theatre was founded in order to "challenge and enlighten the Kansas City community by producing classic and modern-classic plays using Kansas City theatre artists". The company presents a collection of plays that are integrated either over a season or in rotating repertory, in order to deepen the appreciation of each play.Kansas City Actors Theatre. Kansas City Actors Theatre RSS. N.p., n.d. Web. March 28, 2014. <http://www.kcactors.org>.
The theatre is also known to be a place for young local actors to obtain experience in a professional setting.Trussell, Robert. "Acting Troupe Fills Niche in KC Theater". The Kansas City Star. June 2, 2005, sec. Theatre: 31. Print. The artist-led theatre company often collaborates with theatre students from the UMKC Theatre.Trussell, Robert. "Putting a Focus on Actors". The Kansas City Star. February 18, 2007, sec. Theatre: 16–17. Print. Suh, Grace. "Kansas City Actors Theatre and UMKC Theatre Join Forces in 'Oh, What a Lovely War!'". The Pitch. N.p., n.d. Web. April 14, 2014. <http://www.pitch.com/>. This mission was exemplified when it was the first theatre company to present Lanford Wilson's Tally Trilogy in repertory.Trussell, Robert. "Three from the Talleys". The Kansas City Star. June 1, 2006, sec. Theatre: 31. Print.
In 2015, KCAT was awarded the American Theatre Wing's National Theatre Company Grant.
KCAT uses professional actors in various performance spaces around Kansas City, Missouri."Kansas City Actors Theatre". Kansas City Actors Theatre RSS. N.p., n.d. Web. March 28. 2014. <http://www.kcactors.org Notably, KCAT has produced productions at the National World War I Museum,Cook, Liz. "Journey's End Digs into World War I with Grace and Wit". The Pitch. N.p., n.d. Web. April 14. 2014. <http://www.pitch.com>. H&R Block City Stage, and in Union Station. Many founders of KCAT are also professors at UMKC Theatre (the theatre department of the University of Missouri–Kansas City), including Tom Mardikes.Trussell, Robert. "Putting a Focus on Actors". The Kansas City Star. February 18, 2007, sec. Theatre: 16–17. Print.
For a short period, starting in 2006, KCAT changed its name to Actors Theatre, but the name returned to the original name shortly after.Trussell, Robert. "Putting a Focus on Actors". The Kansas City Star. February 18, 2007, sec. Theatre: 16–17. Print.
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