Writing for Spotlight

Spotlight, the official publication of the American Association of Community Theatre, is published six times a year and distributed to 1,800 organizational and individual members. Spotlight is also available to members and non-members for viewing online. The January-February issue is mailed to over 7,200 community theatre contacts.

Spotlight promotes, connects, informs, and provides a platform for a diverse array of voices within the theatre community across the country.

Content represents a collection of educational topics, as well as the personal stories of those who work, play, live, and breathe theatre. Spotlight is positive and motivating. The tone of an article may take a variety of forms depending on subject matter ranging from satirical, entertaining, inspirational, analytical, informative, and educational.
.

Guidelines

• All submissions must be original content to which you own the rights.
• Word count is flexible, generally 600-1000 words
• Choose a great title: Think about the reader and what they’re looking to learn, discover, achieve, or the problem they want to solve, and then write your title to clearly speak to their need.
• Use a captivating opening statement: The opening paragraph should be engaging, telling the reader what they are about to experience and making them want to read on.
• Subheadings: Split up content with relevant subheadings to make it easier for readers to follow the logical flow of ideas.
• Include at least one actionable item: Include one or more questions to prompt the reader to consider the topic in relation to their own situation, and/or one or more actionable practical tip(s) that the reader can begin applying in their theatre work.
• Fact-check your article and provide sources for all your information not springing from your own experience..
• Images: You are welcome to include photos/graphics with your article. Please provide high-resolution images and include the source of the image. Include captions and identification of persons in photos, as well as photographer credit.
• Links to sources and related websites can be included within the article, or as a footnote.
• Salacious, hypercritical, or negative content is not accepted.

Article Topics & Types

• “How-to” – share a success story AND describe how others can use your model
• Arts advocacy – supporting arts on a local, regional, and national level
• Artistic vision – selecting a season, directorial decisions
• Development – raising funds, branding
• Marketing – selling tickets, social media
• Technical theatre – solving challenges in sets, lighting, costumes, stage management, etc.
• Producing - rights, royalties
• Society & activism - making a difference in the world through theatre
• Other potential topics include musical theatre, educational programs, arts administration, community, diversity & inclusion, international theatre
• Create  your own topic: Choose the topic based on your own unique passions, experiences, and area of professional expertise.

Queries: If you have an idea for an article, feel free to contact David Cockerell, Spotlight Editor & AACT' Marketing/Communications Director at [email protected].  In a few sentences, explain the scope of your article, and how you intend to approach it.  If you have photographs or graphics to accompany the piece, state that as well.

Submissions: Completed articles may be sent to David at [email protected]. Be sure to include the article text with title, images to support your article, and a brief bio (50 words or less), as well as your headshot photo. You may also include links to your website or social media account.

AACT reserves the right to:

• Decline articles submitted, without providing reasons. (We are a small team. It is not possible for us to provide feedback on all individual articles. Your understanding is appreciated.)
• Adjust article titles where necessary, to help optimize reader engagement.
• Make basic edits to articles (including but not limited to spelling, grammar, and paragraph/sentence structure for the purpose of improving readability).

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