Mission, Purpose, Values

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AACT is “sharing the light.”

As the curtain rises again on live theatre, our communities are thrilled to be able to go out and “find the light” at their live performance home: community theatre.

AACT is dedicated to providing the resources to grow and produce theatre in our communities. For volunteers, professionals, and audiences, AACT shares its vast resources and networks with individuals throughout the country and the world, like you! AACT: We are Community. We are Theatre .

— AACT President Kristofer Geddie

Our Purpose

• AACT offers a wide range of opportunities to share experiences, problems, successes and love of theatre.
• Founded in 1986, AACT is a nonprofit corporation that 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.

   

Our Mission

Mission Statement
AACT Helps Theatres Thrive.

Nonprofit Status
AACT is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation.
 

Our Positions

Black Lives Matter
AACT strives to create positive public awareness through the performing arts. The theatre should always be a safe place in our communities. Our stories, our experiences, and our lives are what connects us, unites us, inspires us, teaches us, and puts a mirror up to the face of humanity. AACT is committed to those fundamental principles. To our Black colleagues, artists, members, and partners, AACT stands with you in the movement towards greater equality, equity, inclusion, and justice. Your voice matters. Your story matters. Black Lives Matter.

To learn more or to find out how you can help, explore these resources:

• Black Theatre Network: blacktheatrenetwork.org/
• National Bail Fund Network via the Community Justice Exchange: communityjusticeexchange.org/nbfn-directory
• NAACP Legal Defense Fund: naacpldf.org/
• Communities United Against Police Brutality: cuapb.org/what_we_do
• Black Lives Matter: blacklivesmatter.com/
• Movement for Black Lives: m4bl.org
• Black Visions Collective: blackvisionsmn.org/
• Dear White American Theatre: weseeyouwat.com/
• Facebook: #openyourlobby
• Facebook: #blacklivesmatter
   

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

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.
 

Position Statement on HIV/AIDS
Recognizing that HIV/AIDS is a 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.