Alabama Conference of Theatre

Community Theatre News

sue — Mon, 07 May 2012 22:11:00 +0000

May 7, 2012– This year’s community festival now accepting participating groups entries! Click on ACTFest ’13 for more information.

February 10–AACT NYC Convention is a Bargain!

AACT’s New York City Convention 2012 is right around the corner (July 12-‐15), but it isn’t too late to “be a part of it!” Check the AACT website at www.aact2.org/event/NYC for details. Leap now to get the early bird rate -‐ only $997 (double occupancy) until February 29.

The American Association of Community Theatre wants to help you enjoy the Big Apple with community theatre friends from around the country. What better way than with friends who share your passion? And some of them visit often, so will be your guides!

The Millennium Broadway Hotel, in the heart of the Theatre District, is headquarters for the AACT Convention. Registration includes three nights, but if you want, add nights at the Millennium for only $230 per room per night.

Select your two shows from a list of options, including the 2011 Tony Award-‐winning play, War Horse. Even if you have seen the movie, you have not seen the heart of War Horse until you have seen the Broadway production. War Horse is a thrillingly unique theatrical epic in which actors tell the story alongside (and sometimes astride) lifelike horse puppets.

Noted playwright Ken Ludwig will be the guest of honor at the Celebrity Reception on Thursday afternoon. Meet Mr. Ludwig and hear him tell of his experiences as a playwright of well-‐known and much-‐produced plays such as Lend Me a Tenor, Moon Over Buffalo, and Leading Ladies.

One of the most popular features of New York AACT Conventions is the workshops, tapping into NYC resources, including the ever-‐popular New York actor panel. Meet royalty house reps face to face. Visit the fabulous TDF Costume collection or the hat construction studio of a Broadway designer. Learn a musical theatre dance number from a Broadway choreographer as if you are a member of the company! And more!

For more information and to register for the AACT NYC Convention 2012 visit www.aact2.org/event/NYC or call 866-‐687-‐2228.

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The American Association of Community Theatre (AACT) is the source for community theatre networking, resources and support. AACT represents the interests of more than 7,000 theatres across the United States and its territories, as well as theatre companies with the armed services overseas.

AACT National Office | 1300 Gendy St., Fort Worth, TX 76107 | 866-687-2228 toll-free | 817-732-3178 fax

February 9:

Interested in seeing productions at the Southeastern Theatre Conference community theatre festival at the amazing Chattanooga Theatre Centre in March? CTC will be selling tickets at the door to each block of performances all festival long. Alabama’s shows are scheduled for Friday afternoon, March 9!

Block 1 – Thursday, 3/8 – 9:00am to 11:30am – South Carolina (*Vortex*) and Florida (*[title of show]*)

Block 2 – Thursday, 3/8 – 7:00pm to 9:30pm – Mississippi (*God of Carnage*) and Mississippi (*for colored girls…*)

Block 3 – Friday, 3/9 – 1:30pm to 4:00pm – Alabama (*Crafty*) and Alabama (*Agnes of God*)

Block 4 – Friday, 3/9 – 8:00pm to 10:30pm – Georgia (*The All Night Strut*) and Tennessee (*The Last Flapper*)

Block 5 – Saturday, 3/10 – 11:00am to 1:30pm – Kentucky (*Dearly Departed*) and West Virginia (*I Am My Own Wife*)

October 17: ACTFest ’12: Four shows competed on October 15 from Wetumpka, Alabaster, Opelika, and Guntersville. Adjudicators April Marshall (North Carolina), Fulton Burns (Mobile, AL), Beth Harvey (Florida) chose the following to advance to Southeastern Theatre Conference in March, 2012:

“Agnes of God” by South City Theatre (Alabaster)
“Crafty” by Auburn Area Community Theatre (Opelika)

Awards:

Best Actress: Andrea Holliday, Auburn Area Community Theatre
Best Actor: Not Given
Best Supporting Actress: Kristy Meanor, Wetumpka Depot Players
Best Supporting Actor: Jeff Langham,Wetumpka Depot Players
Best Ensemble: Whole Backstage Theatre (Guntersville)

Talent Competition:Adult Division: Lisa Ponder Student Division

Best Musical Theatre Duo: Lexi Scarbrough and Grant Lackey
Best Monologue: Jared Wright
Best Musical Solo: Laura Kate Smith
Best Acting Duo: Laura Kate Smith and Jack Mullins

– October 10: Alabama’s annual community festival schedule is now complete: Download that and other relevant documents at:

Alabama WINS at SETC

sue — Mon, 05 Mar 2012 04:30:59 +0000

ACT is so proud of all our Alabama participants at this year’s SETC in Chattanooga, TN, March 7-10, 2012. Many of our students were being recruited into college and professional theatre programs and our productions stole the show!

THEATRE FOR YOUTH INVITATIONAL FESTIVAL

The Whole Backstage Theatre, Guntersville, AL

SECONDARY FESTIVAL

Best Costumes “Androcles and the Lion” Mountain Brook HS

Best Set “The Drowsy Professor” Bob Jones HS, Madison, AL

Best Direction “The Drowsy Professor” Bob Jones HS, Madison, AL

All Star Cast:

Zachary Fitzgibbon, Bob Jones HS
Olivia Skillern, Bob Jones HS
Meryem Tunagur, Mountain Brook HS

Best Actor Brandon Mallette Bob Jones HS

Runner Up Best Show: Bob Jones HS

Superior Ranking: Bob Jones HS and Mountain Brook HS

COMMUNITY FESTIVAL

All Star Cast:

Sue Ellen Gerrells, “Agnes of God,” South City Theatre, Alabaster
Andrea Holliday, “Crafty,” Auburn Area Community Theatre, Opelika

Runner Up Best in Show: “Crafty,” Auburn Area Community Theatre, Opelika

ADDITIONAL AWARDS/SCHOLARSHIPS

1. The Polly Holliday Award: Allie Phifer, Spain Park High School, Hoover, AL

$1,000 to a student entering a regionally accredited undergraduate school to study theatre.

2. The William E. Wilson Award: Jason Bozeman, Gadsden City High School

$6,500 to a secondary school educator pursuing a graduate degree in theatre or speech and theatre in a regionally accredited graduate program.

ACT Announces Interactive Calendar for Members

sue — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 19:03:45 +0000

ACT is pleased to offer its member organizations an interactive calendar through Google calendars. On this site, members can post their events and have them appear on our home page Calendar! Just one of the benefits of ACT membership. For more information, contact Executive Director Sue Ellen Gerrells.

Secondary Division News

sue — Sun, 02 Oct 2011 21:31:28 +0000

January 6: Check out an amazing secondary school $12,000.00 scholarship opportunity by clicking here!

December 5: The dust has settled and the last award has been given. Thanks to all the teachers and judges who made this event so spectacular. A special thanks to our one act judges: Tammy Killian (University of Montevallo), Kristy Meanor (Wetumpka Depot Players), John Spiegel (Piedmont College, Georgia), Scott Snell (Equity actor from Tennessee) and Lynn Nelson (Tupelo Community Theatre, Mississppi). Click here for 2011 Trumbauer Final Results

College and University Division News

sue — Sun, 02 Oct 2011 21:21:38 +0000

December 5: ACT Scholarship Auditions/College Fair Report –

The Alabama Conference of Theatre Scholarship Audition and College Fair was held December 1 at the University of North Alabama. Over 100 students competed for 3 $1000 scholarships to an Alabama university or college to major in Theatre/Drama. The winners of this year’s awards are:

Allie Phifer – Spain Park High School
Anna Mollica – Thompson High School
Chelsea Dyer – Sparkman High School

In addition, representatives from some of the major Alabama universities were on hand to “call back” those students they wished to encourage to apply.

University of Alabama
University of South Alabama
University of Alabama, Birmingham
University of Auburn, Montgomery
University of Montevallo
University of North Alabama
Troy University
Miles College

Thanks to Randal Blades, ACT College/University Chair and our host’s: the University of North Alabama’s Department of Theatre for a wonderful evening!