== Description ==

Altoona Community Theatre is a not-for-profit organization with one full-time employee who oversees the administration of the group’s activity, supported by a part-time Administrative Assistant and a part-time Wardrobe Supervisor. All production work onstage and backstage is performed by over 200 volunteers who donate their time and talents. ACT produces four mainstage productions annually in the historic Mishler Theatre, a restored 1906 vaudeville-burlesque house seating 800 people that is rented by the group for the final two weeks prior to each production. The shows – presented in September, November, February and May -- are given for four performances each.


ACT averages about 1,300 subscribers for the season from a geographic base of up to 60 miles away. Some subscribers come from as far as Indiana, Johnstown, Bedford, Huntingdon, State College, Boalsburg, Clearfield and Philipsburg. Typical attendance for individual productions rages from 1,600 for non-musicals to 3,000 for musicals. ACT productions are budgeted around $8,000 for a comedy, drama or mystery; $20,000 for a small musical and $30,000 for a large-scale musical. ACT’s typical expenses for producing musicals include royalties $9,000; orchestra $5,500; sets $2,000; costumes $4,000 and sound $2,500. ACT pays Blair County Arts Foundation nearly $25,000 annually to rent the historic Mishler Theatre for its shows.


In 1983, ACT purchased the former Downtown Elks Lodge operations headquarters, converting the once-vacant building into an administrative office, rehearsal hall, set construction and storage area and costume construction and storage area. Annual operating cost for the facility is $15,000.

History

In the late 1920s, a private elocution teacher named Dean Dreifus fulfilled a dream by establishing a local performing group called the Altoona Theatre Guild. A few years later, the troupe changed its name to Altoona Little Theatre and received a growth spurt when some performers from The Chicago Stock Company (which ran out of funds and folded during a summer engagement at Lakemont Park) remained in the area for awhile. In November 1948, after additional growth, those involved with the troupe decided it was time to formalize its existence and incorporated as Altoona Community Theatre.


ACT mounted its productions in a variety of venues around town: the Penn Alto Hotel, Roosevelt Junior High School, the undergraduate center at Ivyside Campus, Altoona High School and St. Luke's Church, to name a few. In 1965, when it was announced the Mishler Theatre was to be razed, ACT joined forces with the Blair County Arts Foundation to buy the historic theatre and begin renovation. ACT's production of The Sound of Music marked the gala reopening of the Mishler in March 1969 and today, ACT remains the primary tenant of the theatre, still owned and operated by BCAF.


In 1983, ACT realized the necessity of having a home away from the Mishler. Through the generous cooperation of Mr. & Mrs. Irving & Joan Seltzer and Mr. & Mrs. Sam & Rose Port, ACT purchased the former downtown Elks Lodge around the corner from the theatre to convert to its operational head-quarters. The facility houses an administrative office, rehearsal hall, meeting room, set construction shop, wardrobe workroom and costume storage area. ACT is currently undertaking major plumbing improvements to restore water to the upper floors of the building and renovate the first-floor bathrooms to make them handicapped accessible.


ACT made a major commitment to its development in July 1987 by establishing a full-time position to oversee its administrative operation. Since then, the troupe has grown considerably ... from a budget of $40,000 to $180,000 and from a subscription base of 800 to 1,300. Even with such growth, however, all of the work for ACT shows is still done by volunteers.


Well known for its quality productions, ACT has taken top honors at state and regional theatre festivals and has received national exposure as the featured theatre in STAGE DIRECTIONS, a community theatre trade magazine. As one of Blair County’s premier arts organizations, ACT remains dedicated to entertaining and enlightening the community and providing local residents with the opportunity to showcase their creative talents onstage and backstage.

Mission

The mission of Altoona Community Theatre is

To produce quality live theatre that is entertaining and intellectually stimulating

To provide an avocational outlet for area residents to express themselves creatively in all facets of the theatre arts

To foster appreciation for the theatre arts throughout the community and to stimulate their growth through educational and other programming.

Awards

ACT has repeatedly won top honors at state and regional community theatre competitions...

1993 - ON TIDY ENDINGS - Theatre Association of Pennsylvania State Festival, Best Production, Outstanding Acting: Robert Hoffer, Outstanding Director: Joyce Kipp

1993 - ON TIDY ENDINGS - Eastern States Theatre Association Regional, First-Runner-Up Production, Outstanding Performance by a Young Actor: Aaron Burkle

1996 - STRANGERS - Theatre Association of Pennsylvania State Festival, Best Production, Outstanding Direction: Steven C. Helsel, three Outstanding Acting awards: Phyllis Conroy, David R. Leonard, Kate Kale Wolf; Outstanding Original Script: Rob Biter, Outstanding Use of Props

1996 - STRANGERS - Eastern States Theatre Association Regional, First-Runner-Up Production

1997 - SUMMER SHOWER - Theatre Association of Pennsylvania state festival, Outstanding Actress: Joyce Kipp

1998 - PARALLEL LIVES - Theatre Association of Penna State Festival, Outstanding Acting: Kate Kale Wolf

2001 - GRACE AND GLORIE - Pennsylvania Association of Theatres State Festival, Best Production

2001 - GRACE AND GLORIE - Eastern States Theatre Association Regional Festival, First-Runner Up, two Outstanding Acting awards: Gail Alberini, Cathy Anastasi

2003 - SMOKEY JOE’S CAFÉ - Pennsylvania Association of Community Theatres, Best Production

2003 - SMOKEY JOE’S CAFÉ - Eastern States Theatre Association Regional, five individual Outstanding Performance awards: Jen Gerhart, Julie Gicking, Mallory Keith, Molly Riva, Brian Williamson

Links

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