Altoona Community Theatre (ACT) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose mission is to produce quality live theatre that is entertaining and intellectually stimulating, provide outlets for residents to express themselves creatively, and to foster appreciation for the arts and stimulate their growth through educational programming. All production work onstage and backstage is performed by over 200 volunteers who donate their time and talents.
ACT produces four mainstage productions annually in the historic Mishler Theatre, a restored 1906 vaudeville-burlesque house seating 800 people that is rented by the group for the final two weeks prior to each production. The shows – presented in September, November, February and May — are given for four performances each.
ACT averages about 900 subscribers from a geographic base of up to 60 miles away. Typical attendance for individual productions rages from 1,600 for non-musicals to 3,000 for musicals. ACT productions are budgeted around $25,000 for a play and $50,000 for a musical. ACT pays Blair County Arts Foundation nearly $75,000 annually to rent the historic Mishler Theatre for its shows.
In 1983, ACT purchased the former Downtown Elks Lodge, converting the once-vacant building into an administrative office, rehearsal hall, set construction and storage area and costume construction and storage area. Annual operating cost for the facility is $30,000.
Mission
Mission
The mission of Altoona Community Theatre is to produce quality live theatre that entertains and uplifts audiences and provides opportunities for creative expression, collaboration and skill development.
The Early Days
In the late 1920s, a private elocution teacher named Dean Dreifus fulfilled a dream by establishing a local performing group called the Altoona Theatre Guild. A few years later, the troupe changed its name to Altoona Little Theatre and received a growth spurt when some performers from The Chicago Stock Company (which ran out of funds and folded during a summer engagement at Lakemont Park) remained in the area for awhile. In November 1948, after additional growth, those involved with the troupe decided it was time to formalize its existence and incorporated as Altoona Community Theatre.
Finding Home
ACT mounted its productions in a variety of venues around town: the Penn Alto Hotel, Roosevelt Junior High School, the undergraduate center at Ivyside Campus, Altoona High School and St. Luke’s Church, to name a few. In 1965, when it was announced the Mishler Theatre was to be razed, ACT joined forces with the Blair County Arts Foundation to buy the historic theatre and begin renovation. ACT’s production of The Sound of Music marked the gala reopening of the Mishler in March 1969 and today, ACT remains the primary tenant of the theatre, still owned and operated by BCAF.
The Elks Lodge
In 1983, ACT realized the necessity of having a home away from the Mishler. Through the generous cooperation of Mr. & Mrs. Irving & Joan Seltzer and Mr. & Mrs. Sam & Rose Port, ACT purchased the former downtown Elks Lodge around the corner from the theatre to convert to its operational head-quarters. The facility houses an administrative office, rehearsal hall, meeting room, set construction shop, wardrobe workroom and costume storage area. Since the purchase of the building, major improvements have been completed, including replacing or sealing all the windows, restoring water and heat to the upper stories, and adding handicapped accessible bathrooms on the first level. ACT is currently undertaking various projects to better utilize the interior storage spaces and to improve the exterior of the building.
Growing Together
ACT made a major commitment to its development in July 1987 by establishing a full-time position to oversee its administrative operation. Since then, the troupe has grown considerably … from a budget of $40,000 to $300,000. Even with such growth, however, all of the work for ACT shows is still done by volunteers.
Well known for its quality productions, ACT has taken top honors at state and regional theatre festivals and has received national exposure as the featured theatre in STAGE DIRECTIONS, a community theatre trade magazine. As one of Blair County’s premier arts organizations, ACT remains dedicated to entertaining and enlightening the community and providing local residents with the opportunity to showcase their creative talents onstage and backstage.
Awards & Honors
ACT has repeatedly won top honors at state and regional community theatre competitions…
- 1993 – ON TIDY ENDINGS
Theatre Association of Pennsylvania State Festival, Best Production, Outstanding Acting: Robert Hoffer, Outstanding Director: Joyce Kipp - 1993 – ON TIDY ENDINGS
Eastern States Theatre Association Regional, First-Runner-Up Production, Outstanding Performance by a Young Actor: Aaron Burkle - 1996 – STRANGERS
Theatre Association of Pennsylvania State Festival, Best Production, Outstanding Direction: Steven C. Helsel, three Outstanding Acting awards: Phyllis Conroy, David R. Leonard, Kate Kale Wolf; Outstanding Original Script: Rob Biter, Outstanding Use of Props - 1996 – STRANGERS
Eastern States Theatre Association Regional, First-Runner-Up Production - 1997 – SUMMER SHOWER
Theatre Association of Pennsylvania state festival, Outstanding Actress: Joyce Kipp - 1998 – PARALLEL LIVES
Theatre Association of Pennsylvania State Festival, Outstanding Acting: Kate Kale Wolf - 2001 – GRACE AND GLORIE
Pennsylvania Association of Theatres State Festival, Best Production - 2001 – GRACE AND GLORIE
Eastern States Theatre Association Regional Festival, First-Runner Up, two Outstanding Acting awards: Gail Alberini, Cathy Anastasi - 2003 – SMOKEY JOE’S CAFÉ
Pennsylvania Association of Community Theatres, Best Production - 2003 – SMOKEY JOE’S CAFÉ
Eastern States Theatre Association Regional, five individual Outstanding Performance awards: Jen Gerhart, Julie Gicking, Mallory Keith, Molly Riva, Brian Williamson - 2006 – THE COMPLETE WORKS OF WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE ABRIDGED
Pennsylvania Association of Community Theatres Festival, Stage Managers’ Award - 2007 – BEYOND THERAPY
Pennsylvania Association of Community Theatres Festival, Stage Managers’ Award, Outstanding Acting: Karen Volpe - 2007 – BEYOND THERAPY (Showcase Production)
Eastern States Theatre Association Regional, Outstanding Achievement in Acting: Karen Volpe & Jonathan O’Harrow
The Mishler is owned and operated by the Blair County Arts Foundation.