On Sunday, April 2, 1972, The Washington Postpublished an article entitled “ ‘Dismal Fare’ For a Theatre Festival.” The article referred to the productions of the American College Theater Festival, then the only genuine showcase in the nation for the work of the educational theater. Though out of context, a phrase from this inflammatory statement is pertinent here: “… our college drama departments are far worse off than we thought, emasculated by academism and timidity, unable or unwilling to immerse themselves in the meaningful theater movements of our time….”

The day before “Dismal Fare” was published, a proposal for the establishment of another festival was formally announced. The new event was intended exclusively to promote and produce experiments in theatre production among students in American colleges and universities.