Spotlight Magazine

Dive into AACT's official publication, featuring the latest news, trends, and stories from the world of community theatre. Access current and recent issues, available in print for members and online for all. Stay informed and inspired!

Spotlight Magazine

Informative, insightful, indispensable

Spotlight is the official publication of the American Association of Community Theatre, mailed to organizational & individual members, and also available to members and non-members for viewing online. >> Advertise in Spotlight >> Your Voice in Spotlight

Current Issue

Summer 2026

Contents: Star Power Interview: Finding the Path: How community theatre shaped Jeff Kready’s Broadway journey ~ Grand Rapids Civic Theatre Celebrates 100 Years: Michigan's largest community theatre marks centennial with landmark season and a look to the future ~ The Quiet Power of Dramaturgy: How a dramaturg can help every theatre, large or small, tell the same story together ~ Educational Programming Survey ~ Many Wonders, Many Lessons: Morrie Enders tours the ancient theatres of Greece ~ Theatre Traditions: The Little Rituals That Hold Us Together ~ And much more!

>> Click here for flip-page version. >> For standard PDF, click here

>> Education Survey of Community Theatres (extended version)

Recent Issues

spring 2026

Contents: AI in the Arts; Star Power Interview: From Paducah to Shucked; New Voices and New Stories- How Theatres Are Attracting New Audiences; Community Theatre Board of Directors Survey; Before the Curtain Rises; World Theatre Day March 27; Friends We'll Miss: Jon Douglas Rake; From Crisis to Connection: The Story of AACT's Online Resource Group.

>> Click here for flip-page version. >> For standard PDF, click here

>> Board of Directors Survey article (extended version)

Winter 2025-26

Contents: 2026 Season Survey, WorldFest, The Year of Giving Back, On the Road with Hamilton, Playwrights Corner (Sean Grennan), Bringing Climate into Your Work, Mondial du Théâtre 2025, Boards in the Spotlight Returns, Inclusivity in Theatre: MTI's Broadway Senior, AACT Annual Contributors.

>> Click here for flip-page version. >> For standard PDF, click here

>> 2026 Season Survey (extended version)

FALL 2025

Contents: AACTFest 2025; AACT YouthFest 2025; The "Big Beautiful Bill" Impact on Charitable Giving; The Video Paradox; Demystifying Digital Scenery; Fundraising and Friend-Building; Star Power Interview with Animal Trainer Bill Berloni; The Penguin Project; Woodland Opera House, Woodland, California.

>> Click here for flip-page version. For standard PDF, click here

>> Longer, more detailed versions of Digital Scenery Woodland Opera House, Playwright Leslie Kimbell articles.

Summer 2025

Contents: AACT NewPlayFest Winning Scripts; National Awards; Making Dreams Come True - The Jack K. Ayre and Frank Ayre Lee Theatre Foundation; Eat, Drink, Plays!; Hendersonville Theatre; Safeguarding Youth in Your Theatre; Countdown to AACTFest 2025; AACTFest and YouthFest Performances; National Directors Conference.

Click here for flip-page version. For standard PDF, click here.

Spring 2025

Contents: Contributed Income Survey; New Friends, New Funds; Community Theatre to Broadway; Building a Safety Committee; Breaking Barriers and Bringing Stories to Life; Friends We'll Miss - Norm McPhee; AACTFest 2025; AACT YouthFest 2025; Community Theatre Management Conference; 2025 Adjudication Seminar.

Click here for flip-page version. For standard PDF, click here

Winter 2024-25

Contents: AACTFest 2025; AACT YouthFest; New York Theatre Adventure; NewPlayFest; Adjudication Seminar; Break a Leg, Not the Bank (A guide to effective show promotion and advertising); Turning Adversity into Opportunity; A Tradition of Fiddler; Community Theatre to Broadway Star; "Pay What You Will" Performances; Federal Employment Regulations; Valparaiso's Memorial Opera House.