Disney's Cinderella Kids comes to the ACT Theater

Registration is open for Disney's Cinderella Kids presented by ACT Kids.

CLICK HERE FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION AND REGISTRATION

GODSPELL at ACT Theater March 25-April 3

Tickets are on sale now for GODSPELL March 25-April 3 at the ACT Theater in North Andover, MA CLICK HERE TO ORDER TICKETS ALL SEATING IS RESERVED

Music Rehearsal Video Let There Be Peace on Earth - A Very Special Christmas Cabaret at ACT

Come join us for a very special Christmas Cabaret - A Night of Hope this December 11-13th.  This special Christmas Cabaret Extravaganza is a critical community theater fundraiser and benefit for the Emmaus House food pantry in Haverhill, MA   Come celebrate the season with night of singing, dancing, laughter and joy.  www.acttheatercompany.com check out a clip from our music rehearsal for this number.

An Evening of Hope - A Christmas Cabaret in North Andover, MA at the ACT Theater

Members of the ACT Family from the past nine years and folks new to our community have joined together to bring An Evening of Hope - A Christmas Cabaret to the ACT Theater in North Andover this December. We are excited to share an evening of everyone's favorite Christmas Songs and Medleys as well as a few fun surprises! In the spirit of joy, hope and compassion we are asking our patrons to bring one non-perisable food item which will be donated to The People's Pantry in North Andover to help those in need this winter season. Tickets are on sale now. Happy Holidays and we hope to see you there!

The Taste of ACT - Wine, Food, Entertainment and More! Don't miss it this Friday

Hi Everyone, This message is coming to you from a very tired Cara...why am I tired? Because I and my wonderful committee have been working on the AMAZING event that is going to be The Taste of ACT this Friday night!!!! We have amazing auction items, food and desserts from some of the best restaurants and caterers in the area, not to mention a fabulous seasonal wine selection. The event is taking shape before my eyes...if you know me you know I have my room set up layout, and color coded spreadsheet of things to do. What I really need is your help though, in spreading the word about this amazing event. As is the trend these days, we have a lot of people that have confirmed they are coming, but have yet to buy a ticket...nothing stresses me out more! lol. This is ACT's biggest fundraiser of the year so until I know that there are confirmed bodies in the room, I will not rest easy. I know everyone is insanely busy these days, but my request is that you take 10 minutes and reach out to your friends and family via email, text, Facebook, carrier pigeon, hieroglyphics,...whatever your preferred method of commutation, and tell them about this great event. All they need is to like ti drink wine, enjoy great food, and of course have a fabulous time. It's not even about loving theater, or support ACT directly. What I'm asking you, is to ask them to support YOU, because ACT is an organization that you care about or someone in your family cares about. The event was designed so anyone off the stress could have a blast...we have to sell it that way. They may not come for ACT directly...but they would come for you, and in the process, have a great night out. Win win win! smile emoticon I know that if we each reach out to our contacts, we can get that room full. Encourage them to buy their tickets in advance...if nothing else, because you know this nice girl named Cara that would love to get some sleep before Friday night. If you haven't gotten your tickets yet, this is the link: http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/2414120 I appreciate your continued support and excitement for this event. It's months of prep and hours of work for the committee, but the result is always amazing and one of the reasons ACT can continue to do what we do. Have a great day, and I hope to personally see you all on Friday night!!!! CaraFred

OLIVER! The Musical arrives in North Andover at the ACT Theater this June

Don't miss Lionel Bart's well loved musical OLIVER! with ACT Theater Company in North Andover, MA this June. Adapted from "Oliver Twist" by Charles Dickens the beloved musical will hit the stage at The ACT Theater in Osgood Landing for a run in June. The story revolve around OLIVER running away from the orphanage run by the heartless Mr. Bumble, Oliver meets the Artful Dodger and is recruited to pick pockets for Fagin. There, Oliver finds a friend in Nancy, but neither she nor the boy are fit for a life of crime. Featuring great songs like Consider Yourself, Oom-Pah-Pah, Who Will Buy and Food Glorious Food you won't want to miss this family friendly show! Tickets are on sale now at the online box office for ACT Theater Click the Link Here

ACT Theater Company 1632 Osgood Street Osgood Landing North Andover, MA 01845 ACT Website www.acttheatercompany.com Box office (978) 276-9568

Summer Theater Camp Programs at the ACT Theater- North Andover's Best Summer Theater Experience

Join us this summer for 2 fabulous theater intensive programs at the ACT Theater. Our Act Kids STEP Intensive Beauty and the Beast Jr. Who: Students Entering 2nd grade - 6th grade. STEP Intensive Begins: July 13- July 31st Weekdays from 9-3 (extended hours available) Where: Act Theater Company Show Dates: July 31st and August 1st Tuition: $950 - $100 Discount if Registered and paid in full by April 1st Auditions: TBD in June This is a three week theater intensive program, in which the students not only rehearse for the show, but also receive theater education in music, dance and acting. The first half of the day is the educational portion, when the students have classes. The afternoon is spent working on various elements of the show. The program culminates with a full scale performance of the musical, Disney's Beauty and The Beast Jr. The ACT Summer Education Theater Programs are designed to develop, hone and encourage students vocal, dance, and acting abilities. The ACT Staff are trained professionals and educators in their fields and bring a unique knowledge to our students, that is different from any other program. We believe that students gain the most in an intimate learning environment. We limit our program size so that each student receives more individualized feedback and attention from the teachers. In addition, there is more opportunity to make lasting friendships, practice skills, work one on one, and much more!

Avenue Q in North Andover this weekend April 10, 11, 12

Friday's performance of Avenue Q is SOLD OUT and only a few seats remain for Sat. There are tickets for Sunday's performance at 5pm. Don't miss this hysterically funny show! www.acttheaterco.com ACT Theater 1632 Osgood St North Andover

Avenue Q The Musical ACT Theater North Andover, MA April 2015

Post by ACT Theater Company.

Avenue Q in North Andover, MA at the ACT Theater April 2015

Join us April 10-12 for Avenue Q the musical! Limited seating all seats are assigned tickets available online now www.acttheatercompany.com Gut wrenching humor, a catchy score and puppets. Although it may look like a familiar street, Avenue Q if filled with hysterical adult humor and themes. Come join us for what will be one of the funniest, most entertaining nights out you will ever have in a theater!

Steel Magnolia on stage live January 31 thru February 1 North Andover's Theater - ACT Theater 1632 Osgood St N Andover, MA at Osgood Landing

Robert Harling's classic dramatic comedy STEEL MAGNOLIAS is live on stage at the NEW ACT Theater in North Andover 1632 Osgood Street at Osgood Landing. The theater opened to the public in October with Mel Brook's Young Frankenstein the Musical. ACT Theater produces musicals, plays and concerts year long in it's new 160 seat theater and also offers classes in the dramatic arts for all ages. Check out this incredible production of Steel Magnolias Jan 31st - Feb 1st and the rest of season which includes Avenue Q, Oliver, Fiddler on the Roof and more. Visit www.acttheatercompany.com for more information and tickets

ACT is proud to announce the cast of Robert Harling's Steel Magnolias

ACT is proud to announce the cast of Robert Harling's Steel Magnolias TRUVY.................... Greta DiGiorgio ANNELLE.................. Abbie Sawyer CLAIREE.................. Cara Kennedy SHELBY................... Erin Jenkins M'LYNN................... Lisa Jones OUISER................... Susan Hawes Join us at the ACT Theater 1632 Osgood Street North Andover, MA this January for Steel Magnolias. More details coming soon. ACT Theater Company 1632 Osgood St North Andover, MA 01845 www.acttheatercompany.com theater@acttheatercompany.com

2014 - 2015 Season for ACT Theater

We have been busy! If you have not been by the space construction is happening at a rapid rate and our new home is coming together! Its very exciting. Young Frankenstein is a hoot- its very hard to stay in character because its just so funny. Please spread the word this is a show you don’t want to miss. We are hoping people will come in costume for the Halloween show! We have our Annual Wine Tasting scheduled for Nov 14th. Please save the date- lots of exciting things to come on that! Our Holiday party will also be announced soon we hope you can all make it. We finally have our season complete. With the construction and the craziness of everything some things have been moved and others have unfortunately had to be moved to next season. BUT we have some amazing opportunities coming up... and here they are: Next Up Steel Magnolias- Auditions Nov 11 & 12 Show Jan 30, 31, Feb 1 Winnie the Pooh-(kids – 6th grade) Sign up now! Auditions Nov 10, 12 Show Jan 9 &10 Fiddler on the Roof- Auditions Dec 9 and 11 Show March 6,7,8 (rehearsals start after the New Year!) Ave Q- Auditions Feb 3 & 5th – Shows April 10, 11 12 13- (middle and High School) Auditions Feb 24, 26 Show May 8, 9 ,10 Oliver- Auditions March 31, April 2- Show June 19, 20, 21 STEPS Program will begin this year on July 13 We are still working on a Christmas Revue more news to follow. Classes for kids and adults will start after the New Year! We are looking for groups that might wish to rent the space for small shows, concerts, and other performing arts types of entertainment to fill the schedule. If you know of anyone or anything please pass them along to me. Charles Gracy - Artistic Director ACT Theater Company charles@acttheatercompany.com www.acttheatercompany.com

You Can Be A Hero - ACT Today We Are Almost There! We Are Counting On You!

We are over 60% there! The light at the end of the tunnel is getting brighter and brighter. You can help us get there. Whether you've done one show or 20, you know the impact theater has on everyone involved, from the cast to the audience. If nothing else..how many of us have groaned on tech week that we would gladly pay to not have to move the set...now is your chance to make sure we don't ever have to move another set offsite again. $10. $25. $50. Every single dollar makes a difference. WOW! As the number of dollars raised gets higher and higher, and so much closer to our goal (we are at over 60% funded and 103 backers!) we can’t help but think about why we started this Kickstarter. We wanted to be able to create a home for the future generation of performers to be able to learn and find their voice. In order to do that we have to have ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) compliant bathrooms, which the funds raised from Kickstarter will build. Help us continue to give these young performers a chance to shine! Help us continue to give these young performers a chance to shine! Having just wrapped up the ACT Kids and ACT Jr. Summer Education Programs, which performed Disney’s The Jungle Book Kids and Pippin, we have a renewed commitment to our dream of having theater space. The passion and determination these kids and teens have for their love of performing is astounding and humbling. They are the reason we are doing this. Help us keep giving these faces a stage and spotlight!!! ACT Theater Company in The Boston Globe ACT Theater 1632 Osgood Street Suite 102 North Andover, MA 01845 ACT THEATER COMPANY ONLINE

Everyone has the ability to change a life. Will you help?

Help us build a 200 seat theater and classroom space in North Andover, MA. Let's get kids off the screens, and into the spotlight! Everyone has the ability to change the life of a child. With “The Spotlight Initiative” ACT is trying to do just that … improve the lives of our local youth by offering programs that will build confidence and forge friendships. It’s a sad reality that in today’s world, the light we most often see illuminating our children’s faces is that of a computer, tablet, phone, or TV screen. ACT Theater Company wants to change this reality. We want to make our young people’s faces shine from a different light: the spotlight. To make this dream into a reality, we need your help. We need to raise $80,000, but need at least $22,000 to get us started. ACT Theater Company’s mission is to entertain, educate, and enrich the lives of our members, our audiences, and the community. We strive to perform professional-quality live theater that embraces diversity, fosters a passion for the performing arts, and touches the lives of the entire community. The ACT Theater will be a gathering place for young people and adults from all areas, to nurture their love of performing. In a time when arts education budgets are being slashed in our schools, ACT will keep theater alive for the next generation. We are not only building a theater, we are building a home for the arts. When children are engaged in the arts, it’s proven that they do better academically. But we don’t just want them to do better in school - ACT wants them to flourish in life and be the best they can be. The skills that are taught in workshops, classes and educational programs at ACT can be used in classroom presentations, college interviews, and in conversations with teachers and adults. When asked to describe ACT, our students came up with words and phrases like: confidence building, safe, family, commitment, accepting, fun, teamwork, passion, friendship, welcoming, and hard work. These are skills and lessons that students will carry with them for their entire lives … and it all begins by putting them in the spotlight. You might wonder if participating in theater can really do all this. It can. Being involved in theater is so much more than just getting up on stage and learning lines and music. It’s about being part of a team and making a commitment. It’s about taking part in something that is bigger than just one person and expecting excellence from all those involved. It’s about learning to work with different personalities and people of all types, and creating something that is not just about what is happening on stage, but what the people in the audience are seeing and feeling. In a world where our youth are often forced to grow up before their time, ACT seeks to surround them with a nurturing and fun environment that embraces their differences and helps them love themselves for who they are. By having a home base, ACT will be able to offer more programs for students and adults of all ages. We will be able to put our educational class plan and curriculum into action. Since we have never had a performance space of our own, we have been limited in the number of offerings we can provide each year. The Spotlight Initiative will change that. Our own theater will change everything and allow us to take our classes, workshops, and youth shows to the next level. Your pledge will touch every person that walks through the doors of The ACT Theater - not just the countless kids and teens, but the adults who mentor them, and the audiences that come to see their faces in the SPOTLIGHT. You can make this possible. You can change their lives. ACT Theater Company 1632 Osgood Street Suite 102 North Andover, MA www.acttheatercompany.com

Father's Day 2 for 1 sale! Last Chance to see The Sound of Music Jun 15 2 Tix $20

Last chance to see The Sound of Music today Sunday 2pm FATHER'S DAY 2 FOR 1 TICKETS SALE SPECIAL - Get two tickets for the price of one today at the box office with the attached coupon. The Sound of Music Final Show Sunday June 15th 2pm West Middle School Theater 70 Shawsheen Road Andover, MA 2 tickets today's matinee for $20 www.ACTTheaterCompany.com (978)276-9568

"Meet the Cast of Les Miserables" blog series #10: Jean Valjean!

Charles Dizon Gracy, our Jean Valjean

Charles was educated at Bard College in NY as a drama/dance major and received a B.S. in Theater Education at SSU. He studied voice with Arthur Burrows of The NY Met, dance/acting with Eileen Passloff in the Stanislavski Method, Kate Kohler Amory in the Grotowski Method of Acting, Peter Sampieri for Directing and Theatre History, dance with Jean Churchill of the Boston Ballet, and Albert Reed of the Merce Cunningham Company. Always continuing to hone his craft, Charles currently studies voice with Brett Johnson. Some of his favorite roles include Jerry (The Full Monty), the Baker (Into the Woods), and the Lion (The Wiz). His directing credits include Steel Magnolias, Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, Chicago, Cinderella, Rent, The Wiz, and Les Misérables Jr.

What was your first experience with Les Misérables?

My first experience with Les Mis was as a middle schooler. I was fascinated with musical theater at that point and began studying with local teachers. Here in Boston, they had a casting call for Young Cosette and Gavroche. One of my theater friends (who was 2 years younger than me) went out and was cast as Gavroche. I remember going into the city to him and was completely mesmerized by the whole thing. I immediately purchased the cast album and t-shirts! I remember purchasing a big t-shirt so I would have it a while. I wore that shirt all over Russia in 1990 when I was an exchange student there!

What has it been like to prepare for your role?

This role has been one of the most challenging—not only to prepare the character, but also to prepare vocally. I find the music more challenging than Into the Woods, which I thought was extremely difficult at the time. Jean Valjean has a complete character arc that the audience needs to buy into, or else the story falls flat. 

What about this production excites you the most?

The sheer talent associated with this production is mind blowing. I can’t wait until we step out on that stage! I think people will be completely blown away. 

How has local theatre and performing enriched your life?

When we started this group we wanted it to be a supportive, friendly, and respectful place. We have gathered together some of the most talented and professional people in the area and their grace and spirit are a blessing each and every day.

Les Miserables Live In Studio

Les Miserables Live In Studio

Check out the great article featuring some of the cast of ACT's Les Miserables Live in the Studio.  October 25-27 at The Collins Center for the Performing Arts Andover Tickets on sale now visit ACT Theater Company

"Meet the Cast of Les Miserables" blog series #9: Meet Gavroche!



Andrew Jones, our Gavroche
My name is Andrew Jones. I am 11 years old and in the 6^th grade at West middle School in Andover. Les Misérables is my 6^th show with ACT.  I previously appeared in Annie (Orphan ensemble), Aladdin, Jr. (Aladdin), Willy Wonka (Oompa Loompa #2 and ensemble), Seussical the Musical (Jojo) and Little Mermaid, Jr. (Prince Eric). At school, I have also appeared inMulan, Jr.(ensemble) and Beauty and the Beast, Jr. (Gaston).  Besides Gavroche, my favorite role so far has been as Jojo is Seussical. I love to perform and I have learned so much and have gained a lot of self-confidence from doing shows with ACT.  I like to do shows with ACT because it feels like being in a movie or a TV show and that is what I would like to do for real someday. When I am not in school or at rehearsal you might find me on the golf course, playing tennis or playing video games.


What was your first experience with Les Misérables?
My first experience with Les Misérables was watching the movie with my mom.  I knew I wanted to be in ACT’s production but I didn’t know anything about the show other than what my mom had explained to me.  We planned a movie night at home and watched it together.  When I saw the movie I knew that I just had to play Gavroche.

What has it been like to prepare for your role?Preparing for the role of Gavroche was easy and it just came naturally to me.  I learned all of my music quickly and was pretty much off-book by my first rehearsal. The role of Gavroche has been fun to create because he is involved in the revolution and gun battle and ever since I was 2 years old I have always loved playing with army guys (the Toy Story green army guys were my favorite!) and creating battles in video games and role playing with Nerf, paintball and airsoft guns.  I like how Gavroche is a little cocky and self-confident because that helps me to act and feel the same way, even when I am not rehearsing.

What about this production excites you most?What excites me most is that from my perspective the rehearsals have been going so well.  Everyone is trying their best to make this a fantastic production and I know that we will all deliver.  Being on stage with so many performers (we have more than 80 in the cast) and such talented principals is electrifying.


How has performing in local theater enriched your life?Performing in local theater has enriched my life because, as I said before, I have gained a lot of self-confidence from doing shows with ACT as well as the shows through my school(s).  Doing theater makes my life a lot more livable because it is so much fun and gives me something to look forward to.  It is like going to a job that I love.  I just love acting and performing and ACT has given me the opportunity to do what I love.


Is there anything else you would like to add?I want to thank Mark and Charles Gracy and the entire production team for selecting me for the role of Gavroche and allowing me to be a part of such an epic show.

"Meet the Cast of Les Miserables" blog series #8: Meet Cosette!

Chantal Desjardins, our Cosette

Chantal is from Haverhill, MA. Last May, she graduated from UMass–Lowell with degree in Communications with a focus in Philosophy and recently became an executive assistant for a company that ships high-valued products all across the country. Part-time, she works at a shoe store to feed her extreme addiction to shoes! Chantal has been in love with theatre since she first went on a stage at 6 years old. She has performed with the North Shore Music Theatre, Emerson Umbrella, Pentucket Players, Colonial Chorus Players, and Anna Smulowitz Productions; this is her first show with ACT Andover. Some of her favorite roles include Peter (Jesus Christ Superstar), Cinderella (Into the Woods), Isabelle (Scrooge), and a Delta Nu (Legally Blonde). When she is not working or on stage, she loves playing with her three-year-old Shih Tzu, Darla (like the Little Rascals character).

What was your first experience with Les Misérables?

After my mom and grandmother went to see a production of Les Mis in Boston, they both fell in love with the show. I was too young to see the show at the time, but one day my mom recorded (on a VHS not DVR!) the PBS showing of the Les Misérables 10th Anniversary Dream Cast. She played the song “Castle on a Cloud” for me over and over. Already knowing I could sing, I think she did this as a way to get me singing something besides the Annie selections she was all too familiar with. As I grew up, I learned to love the entire show, and saw my first live production at Andover High School (coincidentally, the same as Cara Kennedy, who plays Madame Thénardier!).

What has it been like to prepare for your role?

Besides having a minor panic attack that my Mezzo singing voice would have to sing very high Soprano notes, I was very interested in the development of my character. I don’t think audience members get much about who Cosette is, based on what she sings. Spoiler alert?... She lives a very privileged life, falls in love at first sight, and then is one of the only characters in the show to have a “happy ending,.” Unfortunately, that’s about it. I want to make sure I could convey her emotions more deeply, and show some kind of underlying message that you don’t hear, but rather see. I want to make sure I can create a realistic person out of the typical “sheltered, love-struck” woman everyone is used to seeing.  

What about this production excites you the most?

I feel so incredibly lucky to be a part of one of the first companies in the area to perform the full show. I also get to share the stage with some of the most talented people I have worked with before. I think I will be most excited when I see the real barricade for the first time. My favorite scenes are the ones that take place on the barricade, and I think it creates one of the most iconic images in theatre. 

How has local theatre and performing enriched your life?

Musical theatre has helped me feel confident enough to pursue a career in communications. I have been able to develop great speaking skills, as well as being able to interact with the public comfortably. What I love most about being in musicals, however is being able to transform into a totally different person. It’s also great when I get to sing about stuff without being looked at strangely!