A message from AACT President Bill Muchow

Community theatres involve more participants, present more performances of more productions and play to more people than any performing art in the country. We are critical to the cultural life of the communities of which we are a part. 

AACT is the national community theatre organization, whose chief goal is to enable community theatres across the country to become the cornerstones of the creative life of their communities -- to provide quality entertainment, intellectual stimulation, challenge and opportunity, to be worthy contributors to an improved quality of life for the communities which they serve.

A nonprofit corporation, AACT offers a wide range of opportunities to share experiences, problems, successes and love of theatre. Founded in 1986, AACT's history has its roots in earlier theater organizations. Like them, it serves both individuals and organizations by providing expertise, assistance and support so that community theatres can provide the best possible theatrical experience for participants and audience alike.

If you or your theatre company are not already a member, please take a moment to read more about the value we can add to your work--on stage or behind the scenes.

Bill Muchow
President
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Who We Are--and Why

• The American Association of Community Theatre (AACT) is the national voice of community theatre.  
  

• 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 forces overseas.  This includes:

  • Nearly 1 million volunteers

  • A combined annual budget of well over $60 million

  • More than 45,000 productions per year

  • More than 375,000 performances per year

  • Entertaining a total audience of 7.5 million people

  • Providing educational and community outreach programs for children, seniors, and underserved populations.
    

• AACT is the steward of the national adjudicated festival for community theatres, held every two years. This festival, in which representatives from AACT's 10 regions perform before a panel of adjudicators, results in awards of excellence, and invitations for participants to perform at theatre festivals in other parts of the world.
  

• AACT is the central resource for theatre information and resources, connecting not only members in an information network, but providing data and information to non-members, businesses, other arts and not-for-profit organizations, and the media, as well as to members of local, state and federal governments.
  

• Each year AACT provides more than 1800 members with publications, a members-only website, e-mail discussion group, specialized expertise, a detailed database of company and production data, workshops, and discounts on theater-related products and services.
  

Mission Statement

The mission of the American Association of Community Theatre is to foster and encourage the development of, and commitment to, the highest standards by community theatres, including standards of excellence for production, management, governance, community relations and service.

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Resolution on the NEA

The American Association of Community Theatre, believing:

That culture is our link to the past and the future, and a bridge to human understanding;

That creativity and expression are critical to the skills of problem solving, nurturing of the human spirit, and survival in an expanding world;

That Theatre is a collaborative art, building team work and community pride; and,

That public support is crucial to ensuring the accessibility of the arts to all people;

declares its support of the National Endowment for the Arts, and urges the continued funding and support by the Congress of the United States.

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Anti-Discrimination Statement

AACT believes in equal opportunity for employees and members. AACT's success depends on the effective utilization of qualified people, regardless of their race, creed, color, age, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law. We will not discriminate on the basis of these characteristics in any personnel or member action.

AACT expects all organizational members to adhere to current accessibility regulations. Reasonable accommodations to ensure inclusion by all participants should be made by the hosts of AACT events.

AACT encourages members to give this non-discrimination policy their full support through leadership and personal example.

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Position Statement on AIDS

Recognizing that AIDS is a growing threat to all people, the American Association of Community Theatre encourages all community theatres to initiate and participate in activities to increase awareness, tolerance, and support for individuals who are living with the disease.

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American Association of Community Theatre

1300 Gendy St. Fort Worth, TX 76107
866-687-2228 toll-free | 817-732-3177 phone |