Edition 1 | 2019-2020

A Welcome from the AACT President

You are about to experience some of the most unforgettable days of your life. You are here because you love theatre, and you will be immersed in it. Twelve award-winning theatre companies from the U.S. and from the U.S. Military Services Overseas have come together to share their best work with you. The casts, crews, and their avid followers would love to talk to you, to share their stories and hear yours. Not only will you see some great theatre, but you’ll also have the opportunity to socialize and network with theatre folks from all over the country and overseas.

Where do I begin to list all that should be on your bucket list for the festival? Monologue competition; design competition; Keynote speaker, playwright James Sherman, the author of Beau Jest, Jest a Second, Romance in D, and The God of Isaac; adjudications following the shows; and exhibits where you’ll have the opportunity to network and find answers to your theatre-related questions. Take a deep breath because you’ll want to do as much as you can. Study the schedule and map out a plan. And have fun! That’s why we’re all here!

YouthFest 2019 offers performances by six companies that have been invited to participate, with funding support from the Jack K. Ayre and Frank Ayre Lee Theatre Foundation. These young people revitalize all of us with their unflagging energy and the pure joy they express to be part of AACT and this historic festival.

Speaking of history, could we have chosen a more historic site for our festival than Gettysburg? Join a Gettysburg bus tour, it’s a great opportunity to visit historic battlefields from the Civil War. And there is so much more you can do on your own. Try to fit in sightseeing and good eating, but don’t miss the great workshops and opportunities such as AACTChats. And don’t forget the Silent Auction sponsored by the AACT Endowment. Open your wallet and help make future national festivals rock.

There’ll be receptions and social events sponsored by our many Corporate Partners, starting with the Welcome Party. Keep your eyes peeled for who is sponsoring all the events. Our Corporate Partners are throwing out the red carpet for you. Be sure to thank them when you get a chance. And the week culminates on Saturday night with the Awards Ceremony. It’s the perfect time to celebrate and acknowledge the great moments we will have experienced together.

Carole Ries AACT President

AACTFest 2019 | aact.org 2 June 18-22 | Gettysburg, PA AACTFest 2019 | aact.org 3 June 18-22 | Gettysburg, PA Did You Know? Young people who participate in the arts for at least three hours on three days each week through at least one full year are: • 4 times more likely to be recognized for academic achievement • 3 times more likely to be elected to class office within their schools • 4 times more likely to participate in a math and science fair • 3 times more likely to win an award for school attendance

• 4 times more likely to win an award for writing an essay or poem

AACTFest 2019 | aact.org 4 June 18-22 | Gettysburg, PA AACTFest 2019 | aact.org 5 June 18-22 | Gettysburg, PA

table of contents Welcome from AACT President...... 2 Welcome from Gettysburg Mayor...... 3 Welcome from the PA Governor...... 5 Schedule of Events...... 8-16 National Companies...... 17 AACT YouthFest 2019 Companies..... 19 Workshops...... 20-25 Gettysburg Hotel Map...... 26 AACTChats...... 28 Exhibitors...... 28 AACTFest 2019 Thanks...... 29 Adjudicators...... 34-39 Corporate Partners...... 40 AACT Board and Staff...... 45 Silent Auction...... 46 NewPlayFest 2020...... 49 National Awards...... 50 Years of Service...... 51 Awards Show...... 51 Legacy Society...... 52 National Festival Staff...... 53 Majestic Theater...... 55 Gettysburg Community Theatre...... 56 Special Thanks...... 56 Guides and Criteria...... 58-59

Use the AACTFest 2019 mobile app to enhance your AACTFest experience. Set your schedule, access maps, and find important information. Go to aactfest2019.sched.com to enjoy the mobile web version of the app.

ADVERTISING This program is published in association with Onstage Onstage Publications Publications, 1612 Prosser Avenue, Kettering, OH 45409. 937-424-0529 | 866-503-1966 This program may not be reproduced in whole or in part e-mail: korlowski@ without written permission from the publisher. JBI Publishing is a division of Onstage Publications, Inc. Contents © 2019. onstagepublications.com www.onstagepublications.com All rights reserved. Printed in the U.S.A.

AACTFest 2019 | aact.org 7 June 18-22 | Gettysburg, PA Schedule of Events

Date/Time Event Location SUNDAY, JUNE 16

3– 10PM Community Theatre Gettysburg Hotel Management Conference Ballroom

MONDAY, JUNE 17

Community Theatre Gettysburg Hotel 8:30AM – 8:30PM Management Conference Ballroom Gettysburg Hotel 10AM – NOON AACTFest Steering Committee College Room

1 – 5PM Registration Desk open Gettysburg Hotel Atrium

Gettysburg Hotel 3:30 – 4:30PM AACT Finance Committee meeting Stevens Room AACT Executive Gettysburg Hotel 4:30 – 6:30PM Committee meeting Stevens Room Adjudication Seminar/Intro Gettysburg Hotel 6 – 8PM to Adjudication Webster Room AACTFest 2019 Welcome Party! 8:30 – 10PM sponsored by Disney Theatrical Gettysburg Train Station Productions

TUESDAY, JUNE 18

Gettysburg Hotel 8 – 8:50AM Member Engagement Team Webster Room Gettysburg Hotel 8 – 8:50AM Accreditation Task Force Stevens Room Community Theatre Gettysburg Hotel 8:30 – NOON Management Conference Ballroom Gettysburg Hotel 9 – 10:45AM AACT Board of Directors Stevens Room Gettysburg Hotel 9 – NOON Adjudication Seminar College Room Show Load-in/Tech Meetings/ Majestic Theater 9AM – 5PM Rehearsals backstage

9AM – 5PM Registration Desk open Gettysburg Hotel Atrium

Gettysburg Hotel 10:45 – 11:45AM Education Committee Stevens Room

11:45AM AACT YouthFest Task Force Stevens Room

AACTFest 2019 | aact.org 8 June 18-22 | Gettysburg, PA AACT COMMITTEE/TEAM MEETINGS WORKSHOPS Gettysburg Hotel Gettysburg Hotel or as listed NATIONAL COMPANY PERFORMANCES YOUTHFEST PERFORMANCES Majestic Theater Majestic Theater

Gettysburg Hotel 1 – 4PM Adjudication Seminar College Room Gettysburg Hotel 1:30 – 2:30PM Endowment Committee Stevens Room Gettysburg Hotel 1:30 – 2:30PM International Committee Webster Room Gettysburg Hotel 3 – 4PM Youth Activities Committee Stevens Room Gettysburg Hotel 3 – 4PM Region Reps Webster Room Gettysburg Hotel 4 – 5PM Festival Committee Stevens Room Gettysburg Hotel 4 – 5PM Communications Team Webster Room Gettysburg 4:30PM Youth Pizza Party Community Theatre MTI Senior Showcase & Reception, 4:30 – 6PM sponsored by Music Theatre Gettysburg Hotel Ballroom International Majestic Theater balcony 6 – 10PM Silent Auction open Online 24 hrs.

6:30PM AACTFest 2019 Opening Ceremony Majestic Theater

Adjudication Seminar and Gettysburg Hotel 7 – 10:30PM Performances College Room The Pillowman by Martin McDonagh 7PM Majestic Theater Region IX – Tacoma Little Theatre Walking With My Ancestors by Ama Oforiwaa Aduonum 8:40PM Majestic Theater Region III – Coalescence Theatre Project Afterglow After the shows The Upper Crust Restaurant sponsored by Stage Rights

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 19

Show Load-in/Tech Meetings/ Majestic Theater 8AM – 5:45PM Rehearsals backstage Gettysburg Community 8:30AM – NOON Youth Arts Leadership Conference Theatre 8:30 – 9:45AM WORKSHOPS Gettysburg Hotel Put Your Hometown on Stage Eisenhower North

AACTFest 2019 | aact.org 9 June 18-22 | Gettysburg, PA Schedule of Events

Gettysburg Hotel 8:30 – 9:45AM Social Media Management 101 Eisenhower South Using Game Engines to Empower Gettysburg Hotel Interactive Digital Scenery Webster Room Gettysburg Hotel 8:30 – 9:45AM Festival Commissioners Stevens Room Gettysburg Hotel 9AM – NOON Adjudication Seminar College Room

9AM – 12:30PM Registration Desk open Gettysburg Hotel Atrium

Gettysburg Community 9:45 – 11:15AM Youth Monologue Preliminaries Theatre Stage 10 – 11:15AM WORKSHOPS Broadway Sr.: Transforming Senior Gettysburg Hotel Theatre with the MTI Jr. Series Eisenhower South Dramatic Dreamers – Rhythm, Gettysburg Hotel Humor, and Pathos of Tennessee Eisenhower North Williams

What Did You Say? – 10 Tips that Gettysburg Hotel Welcome People With Hearing Loss Webster Room to Your Theatre Gettysburg Hotel 10 – 11:15AM Strategic Planning Task Force Stevens Room 11:30AM – Gettysburg Hotel State Contacts 12:45PM Webster Room 11:30AM – AACTChat/Grab&Go Lunch Gettysburg Community 12:45PM Fundraising Theatre Stage Exhibitors/AACT Design NOON – 4PM Competition Gettysburg Hotel Ballroom set-up Majestic Theater balcony NOON – 10PM Silent Auction open Online 24 hrs. The Diviners by Jim Leonard, Jr. 1PM Majestic Theater Region IV – Wetumpka Depot Players Silent Sky by Lauren Gunderson 2:35PM Majestic Theater Region V – Salina Community Theatre

4:30 – 6PM Registration Desk open Gettysburg Hotel Atrium

Vendor Exhibits open/Exhibitor 5 – 6:30PM Cocktail Party sponsored by Gettysburg Hotel Ballroom Concord Theatricals

AACTFest 2019 | aact.org 10 June 18-22 | Gettysburg, PA AACT COMMITTEE/TEAM MEETINGS WORKSHOPS Gettysburg Hotel Gettysburg Hotel or as listed NATIONAL COMPANY PERFORMANCES YOUTHFEST PERFORMANCES Majestic Theater Majestic Theater

Adjudication Seminar and Gettysburg Hotel 7 – 11PM Performances College Room Who Will Sing for Lena? 7PM by Dr. Janice Liddell Majestic Theater Region I – The Lexington Players A Life by Adam Bock 8:30PM Region III – Actors Collaborative Majestic Theater Toledo Afterglow After the shows The Upper Crust Restaurant sponsored by Stage Rights

THURSDAY, JUNE 20

Show Load-in/Tech Meetings/ Majestic Theater 7AM – 9PM Rehearsals backstage 8:30 – 9:45AM WORKSHOPS Audience Participation: Bringing Gettysburg Hotel Audience Members Onto the Stage Stevens Room Gettysburg Hotel Avoiding Cultural Appropriation Eisenhower North Bridging the Gap between Gettysburg Hotel Community Webster Room and Professional Theatre Gettysburg Hotel Creating Food from Fabric Eisenhower South Special Needs Theatre…Change Gettysburg Community Lives! Theatre Stage Saying “Yes, and…” – Majestic Theater 8:30 – 11:15AM Improvisational Techniques Rehearsal Hall for the Actor Gettysburg Community 8:30AM – NOON Youth Arts Leadership Conference Theatre Exhibitors/AACT Design 8:30AM – NOON Gettysburg Hotel Ballroom Competition open

9 – 11AM Gettysburg Battlefield Bus Tour begins at Majestic Theater

Gettysburg Hotel 9AM – NOON Adjudication Seminar College Room

9AM – 12:30PM Registration Desk open Gettysburg Hotel Atrium

10 – 11:15AM WORKSHOPS Gettysburg Hotel Discovering Shakespeare Eisenhower North

AACTFest 2019 | aact.org 11 June 18-22 | Gettysburg, PA Schedule of Events

Everything You Need to Know Gettysburg Hotel 10 – 11:15AM About Licensing Eisenhower South Getting Butts In The Seats: Gettysburg Hotel Promoting and Selling Out Webster Room Gettysburg Hotel The 11 Rules of Theatre Branding Stevens Room Gettysburg Community Razabox 101 – Acting From the Body Theatre Stage 11:30AM – AACTChat/Grab&Go lunch Gettysburg Community 12:45PM Youth Theatre Theatre Stage Majestic Theater balcony NOON – 7PM Silent Auction open Online 24 hrs. Kaleidoscope by Ray Bradbury 1PM Majestic Theater Region X – Stuttgart Theatre Center YouthFest: Lockdown by Douglas 2:30PM Majestic Theater Craven Lafayette Theatre Academy The Pretty Trap by Tennessee 3:45PM Majestic Theater Williams Region VI – Playhouse 2000 Adjudication Seminar and Gettysburg Hotel 3:45 – 6:30PM Performances College Room

4:30 – 6PM Registration Desk open Gettysburg Hotel Atrium

YouthFest: Once Upon a Mattress music by Mary Rogers, book by Jay 4:55PM Thompson, Dean Fuller, Marshall Majestic Theater Barer, lyrics by Marshall Barer Premier Arts Ambassadors Gettysburg Community 5:30 – 7PM Adult Monologue Preliminaries Theatre Stage

5:30 – 7:30PM Gettysburg Battlefield Bus Tour begins at Majestic Theater

AACT Endowment Event/ Gettysburg Community 8:30 – 10PM Private Reception Theatre Ken Davenport in a concert of songs from the Broadway musical 9PM The Upper Crust Restaurant Gettin the Band Back Together presented by Broadway Licensing

AACTFest 2019 | aact.org 12 June 18-22 | Gettysburg, PA AACT COMMITTEE/TEAM MEETINGS WORKSHOPS Gettysburg Hotel Gettysburg Hotel or as listed NATIONAL COMPANY PERFORMANCES YOUTHFEST PERFORMANCES Majestic Theater Majestic Theater

FRIDAY, JUNE 21

Show Load-in/Tech Meetings/ Majestic Theater 7AM – 6PM Rehearsals backstage Gettysburg Hotel Starbucks 8:30 – 9:45AM AACTFest Cycle Task Force Conference Room Exhibitors/AACT Design 8:30AM – NOON Gettysburg Hotel Ballroom Competition open 8:30 – 9:45AM WORKSHOPS Gettysburg Hotel Pet Me Not, Nor My Dog Eisenhower North Gettysburg Hotel Podcast University Stevens Room Resources and Solutions for Gettysburg Hotel Musical Theatre Eisenhower South Wrestling with a Monster: Gettysburg Hotel Costuming a Musical Review Webster Room Majestic Theater Vocal Projection for the Stage Rehearsal Hall Gettysburg Community 9AM – NOON Youth Arts Leadership Conference Theatre

9AM – 12:30PM Registration Desk open Gettysburg Hotel Atrium

10 – 11:15AM WORKSHOPS Are you Ready for Disasters? Gettysburg Hotel The 3 Proven Strategies for Easy Stevens Room Preparedness Gettysburg Hotel Building A Volunteer Army Eisenhower North Interactive Storytelling: Managing Gettysburg Hotel the Chaos of Allowing the Audience Webster Room to Set the Path of the Story The Wonderful World of Senior Gettysburg Hotel Theatre: Many Ways a Community Eisenhower South Theatre Can Involve Older Adults Majestic Theater Freeing the Body to Free the Voice Rehearsal Hall How Can Broadway Help You? Gettysburg Community Building The Bridge Between Theatre Stage Broadway and Community Theater Gettysburg Hotel 10:30 – 11:30AM Adjudication Seminar College Room

AACTFest 2019 | aact.org 13 June 18-22 | Gettysburg, PA Schedule of Events

Keynote Address – Playwright Gettysburg Hotel 11:30AM James Sherman Eisenhower North & South

Perspectives From Both Sides of the Footlights A veteran of Chicago’s Second City improv company, James will share wisdom, humor, and anecdotes gleaned from his decades of experience as both an actor and playwright. He will enlighten and entertain with insights gained from “both sides of the footlights” during his life and career in the theatre. With his relaxed and engaging delivery, James will remind you of the fun and excitement that drew you into theatre, while inspiring you to take risks and reach for even greater achievements in the future. James Sherman is the author of the plays Magic Time, The God of Isaac, Mr. 80%, The Escape Artist, Beau Jest, This Old Man Came Rolling Home, Jest a Second!, Romance in D, From Door to Door, The Old Man’s Friend, Affluenza!, Half and Half, Relatively Close, Jacob and Jack, and The Ben Hecht Show.

Silent Auction open Majestic Theater balcony NOON – 5PM bidding closes at 5 Online 24 hrs. Design Competition Judging 12:30 – 5PM Gettysburg Hotel Ballroom closed to all but adjudicators Romeo and Juliet by 1PM William Shakespeare Majestic Theater Region IV – Mill Town Players

YouthFest: Back Cover by Emily 2:40PM Hageman The Road Less Traveled Majestic Theater Community Theatre Company

YouthFest: Keeping Mr. Lincoln 3:45PM by Sandra Fenichel Asher Majestic Theater Academy of Children’s Theatre

4:30 – 6PM Registration Desk open Gettysburg Hotel Atrium

Adjudication Seminar and Gettysburg Hotel 4:45 – 6:30PM Perfromances College Room Design Competition Talkback with 5:30 – 7PM Gettysburg Hotel Ballroom Adjudicators AACT Annual Membership Meeting 6:30PM Majestic Theater & National Awards Presentations The Dixie Swim Club by Jessie Jones, 7:30PM Nicholas Hope, Jamie Wooten Majestic Theater Region II – Forge Theatre YouthFest: 1984 by George Orwell, adapted by Robert Owens, Wilton E. 8:55PM Majestic Theater Hall, Jr., and William A. Miles, Jr. Workshop Theatre Afterglow After the shows The Upper Crust Restaurant sponsored by Stage Rights

AACTFest 2019 | aact.org 14 June 18-22 | Gettysburg, PA AACT COMMITTEE/TEAM MEETINGS WORKSHOPS Gettysburg Hotel Gettysburg Hotel or as listed NATIONAL COMPANY PERFORMANCES YOUTHFEST PERFORMANCES Majestic Theater Majestic Theater

SATURDAY, JUNE 22

Show Load-in/Tech Meetings/ Majestic Theater 8 – 10:40AM Rehearsals backstage 8:30 – 9:45AM WORKSHOPS Audio Description: Gettysburg Hotel the Visual Made Verbal Eisenhower South Gettysburg Hotel Discovering Shakespeare Webster Room Majestic Theater 8:30 – 11:15AM The Zen of Improvisational Acting Rehearsal Hall Exhibitors/AACT Design 8:30 – NOON Gettysburg Hotel Ballroom Competition open Gettysburg Hotel 9 – 11AM AACT Board of Directors Meeting Stevens Room Gettysburg Hotel 9AM – NOON Adjudication Seminar College Room Gettysburg Community 9AM – NOON Youth Arts Leadership Conference Theatre

9AM – 12:30PM Registration Desk open Gettysburg Hotel Atrium

10 – 11:15AM WORKSHOPS Gettysburg Hotel Avoiding Cultural Appropriation Eisenhower North Broadway Sr.: Transforming Senior Gettysburg Hotel Theatre with the MTI Jr. Series Eisenhower South Gettysburg Hotel Social Media Management 101 Webster Room 11:30AM – AACTChat/Grab&Go Lunch Gettysburg Community 12:45PM Volunteers Theatre Stage Monologue Competition Finals 11:45AM – sponsored by Dramatists Majestic Theater 12:45PM Play Service Exhibitors/AACT Design NOON – 3PM Gettysburg Hotel Ballroom Competition dismantle The Other Place by Sharr White 1PM Majestic Theater Region VII – Sopris Theatre Company Marriage Play by Edward Albee 2:40PM Region VIII – Chino Community Majestic Theater Theatre Gettysburg Hotel 3:30 – 6PM Adjudication Seminar College Room

AACTFest 2019 | aact.org 15 June 18-22 | Gettysburg, PA Schedule of Events

YouthFest: This Side of Heaven by 4:20PM Don Zolidis The Terrace Playhouse Majestic Theater Youth Theatre Troupe

Awards Cocktail Reception 7 – 8PM sponsored by Theatrical Rights Majestic Theater Worldwide

8PM Awards Recognition Ceremony Majestic Theater

8:30PM AACTFest Awards Show Majestic Theater

AACTFest 2019 Closing 9:30PM – Celebration Party sponsored by Gettysburg Hotel Ballroom MIDNIGHT Concord Theatricals

SUNDAY, JUNE 23 Gettysburg Hotel 8:30 – 9:30AM Adjudication Seminar College Room

AACTFest 2019 | aact.org 16 June 18-22 | Gettysburg, PA AACTFest 2019 National Companies

Region I Who Will Sing for Lena? by Dr. Janice Liddell The Lexington Players, Lexington, Massachusetts

Region II The Dixie Swim Club by Jessie Jones, Nicholas Hope, and Jamie Wooten Forge Theatre, Phoenixville, Pennsylvania

Region III A Life by Adam Bock Actors Collaborative Toledo, Toledo, Ohio

Walking With My Ancestors by Ama Oforiwaa Aduonum Coalescence Theatre Project, Bloomington, Illinois

Region IV Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare Mill Town Players, Pelzer, South Carolina

The Diviners by Jim Leonard, Jr. Wetumpka Depot Players, Wetumpka, Alabama

Region V Silent Sky by Lauren Gunderson Salina Community Theatre, Salina, Kansas

Region VI The Pretty Trap by Tennessee Williams Playhouse 2000, Kerrville, Texas

Region VII The Other Place by Sharr White Sopris Theatre Company at Colorado Mountain College, Glenwood Springs, Colorado

Region VIII Marriage Play by Edward Albee Chino Community Theatre, Chino, California

Region IX The Pillowman by Martin McDonagh Tacoma Little Theatre, Tacoma, Washington

Region X Kaleidoscope by Ray Bradbury Stuttgart Theatre Center, Stuttgart, Germany

AACTFest 2019 | aact.org 17 June 18-22 | Gettysburg, PA

AACT YouthFest 2019

The second national AACT YouthFest is an integral part of the AACTFest 2019 National Festival. Six youth theatre companies will perform at Gettysburg’s Majestic Theater.

Keeping Mr. Lincoln by Sandra Fenichel Asher ACADEMY OF CHILDREN�S THEATRE Richland, Washington academyofchildrenstheatre.org

Lockdown by Douglas Craven LAFAYETTE THEATRE ACADEMY Lafayette Society for Performing Arts LaGrange, Georgia lsparts.org

Once Upon a Mattress, Music by Mary Rodgers, book by Jay Thompson, Dean Fuller and Marshall Barer, lyrics by Marshall Barer PREMIER ARTS AMBASSADORS Elkhart, Indiana premierarts.org

Back Cover by Emily Hageman THE ROAD LESS TRAVELED COMMUNITY THEATRE COMPANY Farley, Iowa rltheatre.org

This Side Of Heaven by Don Zolidis THE TERRACE PLAYHOUSE YOUTH THEATRE TROUPE United States Army Garrison, Ansbach, Germany

1984 by George Orwell, adapted by Robert Owens, Wilton E. Hall, Jr., and William A. Miles, Jr. WORKSHOP THEATRE Willis, Texas

AACT YouthFest 2019 is made possible in part by a grant from the

AACT YouthFest 2019 is sponsored in part by

AACTFest 2019 | aact.org 19 June 18-22 | Gettysburg, PA AACTFest 2019 Workshops

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 19, 2019 8:30-9:45am

ARTISTIC Put Your Hometown on Stage Eisenhower North Bring fresh theatrical material from your hometown to the stage with must-see productions based on current or historic events and personalities. Margaret Engel, Playwright, Journalist, Disney Author

MARKETING/DEVELOPMENT Social Media Management 101 Eisenhower South Expand your reach in your community and increase ticket sales tenfold by applying secret tools, resources, and habits Digital Marketers are using. Chris Murphy, Digital Marketer, Host of Community Theater Heroes podcast

TECHNICAL/DESIGN Using Game Engines to Empower Interactive Digital Scenery Webster Room Explore the possibilities that game engines, like Unity3D, bring to a community theatre to create projection effects like cueing interactive elements in a digital set. Ruth Comley, Assistant Teaching Professor, Entertainment Technology Center at Carnegie Mellon University (Pittsburg, PA); Creative Director, Stage and Steal Productions

10:00-11:15am

ARTISTIC Dramatic Dreamers – Rhythm, Humor, and Pathos of Tennessee Williams Eisenhower North Tennessee Williams remains one of America’s greatest playwrights and one of the hardest to perform. Get inside tips to unravel his romantic language. Murray Chase, Producing Executive Director, Venice (FL) Theatre

EDUCATION/OUTREACH Broadway Sr.: Transforming Senior Theatre with the MTI Jr. Series Eisenhower South In the United States, 300,000 people turn 65 every month. It’s time to put them on stage and in the spotlight at your community theatre. We will show you how! Morrie Enders, Executive Director, Lincoln (NE) Community Playhouse; John Prignano, COO, Director of Education and Development, Music Theatre International

What Did You Say? – 10 Tips That Welcome People With Hearing Loss To Your Theatre Webster Room Learn ten inclusive tips to keep people with hearing loss loving (not leaving) your plays, musicals, auditions, meetings, and parties. Jon Skaalen, Accessibility Coordinator, VSA Minnesota

AACTFest 2019 | aact.org 20 June 18-22 | Gettysburg, PA AACTEd Hours AACT will provide members with documentation of participation in quality educational activities through AACT. A form is included in your registration packet to receive AACTEd Hours for AACTFest 2019 workshops.

THURSDAY, JUNE 20, 2019 8:30-9:45am

ARTISTIC Bridging the Gap between Community and Professional Theatre Webster Room Learn about regional/combined auditions, job fairs, and how to sell yourself to make the leap into the world of professional theatre. April J’Callahan Marshall, SETC Professional Theatre Services Director

Audience Participation: Bringing Audience Members Onto the Stage Stevens Room Bringing audience members up onstage can offer an element of unexpected surprise for everyone. Learn how to create those moments for your cast and your audience to increase engagement and repeat business. Ruth Comley, Assistant Professor, Entertainment Technology Center at Carnegie Mellon University (Pittsburg, PA); Creative Director, Stage and Steal Productions

EDUCATION/OUTREACH Avoiding Cultural Appropriation Eisenhower North Many community theatres are not as culturally diverse as we would like – and it can be hard to know how to present other cultures on our stage. Defining/ exploring instances of cultural appropriation will be followed by a discussion of ways to avoid offending members of our communities and audiences. Darrell Wagner, Instructor of Costume Design, Casper (WY) College

Special Needs Theatre... Change Lives! Gettysburg Community Theatre Stage Afraid of trying a special needs theatre program? Take the leap. Change lives... yours, theirs, and your theatre’s. Hear about Gettysburg Community Theatre’s Penguin Project, now in its 6th year of running the program that pairs youth with special needs/disabilities and youth without special needs as peer mentors. Chad-Alan Carr, Founding Executive/Artistic Director, Gettysburg (PA) Community Theatre

TECHNICAL/DESIGN Creating Food from Fabric Eisenhower South Create enticing “edibles” from a variety of fabric trims, foams, craft picks, and sawdust. Tracy Alexander, Production Manager, Midland (TX) Community Theatre

AACTFest 2019 | aact.org 21 June 18-22 | Gettysburg, PA AACTFest 2019 Workshops

8:30-11:15am

ARTISTIC Saying “Yes, and…” – Improvisational Techniques for the Actor Majestic Theater Rehearsal Hall Exploring the techniques of Improvisation as practiced by AACTFest Keynote Speaker James Sherman from the time he performed with the Second City Company and through his many years of teaching.

Active participants will be limited to 20. Sign up at the AACTFest Registration Table to be an active participant. Additional seating will be available for observers. A break will be provided at 9:45, allowing observers to leave if they wish to attend another workshop and additional observers to join the session for the second half. James Sherman, veteran of Chicago's Second City Improv Company

10:00-11:15am

ADMINISTRATION Everything You Need to Know About Licensing Eisenhower South Learn everything you need to know in order to make your next MTI show painless, fun, and affordable! John Prignano, COO, Director of Education and Development, Music Theatre International

ARTISTIC Discovering Shakespeare Eisenhower North This active, hands-on workshop is designed to provide both the beginner and advanced actor with techniques to better understand Shakespeare’s work from the actor’s perspective. Joel Jahnke, Artistic Director, Montana Shakespeare in the Parks

Razabox 101 – Acting from the Body Gettysburg Community Theatre Stage Explore a physical, vocal, and spatial approach applicable to monologues, scene work, or film. Anna Marie Kurtz, Professional Actor and Combat Choreographer

MARKETING/DEVELOPMENT Getting Butts In The Seats: Promoting and Selling Out Webster Room Learn professional marketing strategies to increase attendance for your shows. Jason Goldstein, Performing Arts and Entertainment Producer

The 11 Rules of Theatre Branding Stevens Room Understand your organization’s brand and outline how to raise your theater’s visual identity. Jim Gallagher, Owner, Drama Queen Graphics, Annapolis, MD

AACTFest 2019 | aact.org 22 June 18-22 | Gettysburg, PA AACTEd Hours AACT will provide members with documentation of participation in quality educational activities through AACT. A form is included in your registration packet to receive AACTEd Hours for AACTFest 2019 workshops.

FRIDAY, JUNE 21, 2019 8:30-9:45am

ADMINISTRATION Pet Me Not, Nor My Dog Eisenhower North Best practices to help your house manager, box office, volunteer ushers, even actors know what is appropriate to do or NOT to do with service dogs, companion animals, careless scooter drivers, runaway wheelchairs, squealing hearing aids, etc. Bring your accessibility customer service questions. Jon Skaalen, Accessibility Coordinator, VSA Minnesota

ARTISTIC Resources and Solutions for Musical Theatre Eisenhower South Wherever you are on your theatrical journey, MTI’s innovative resources will enhance your show experience by providing valuable solutions for your creative and production teams. John Prignano, COO, Director of Education and Development, Music Theatre International

Vocal Projection for the Stage Majestic Theater Rehearsal Hall Connecting breath support, raw sound, and the power of vowels to improve vocal projection. Ron Cameron-Lewis, Professor Emeritus, Sheridan College (ON, Canada) Music Theatre Performance Department

MARKETING/DEVELOPMENT Podcast University Stevens Room Learn how hosting a podcast can increase the size of your audience ten times, elevate your status as thought-leaders and pillars in your local community, and create a brand new revenue stream. Chris Murphy, Digital Marketer, Host of Community Theater Heroes podcast; Sarah Fuller, Host of Community Theater Heroes podcast

TECHNICAL/DESIGN Wrestling with a Monster: Costuming a Musical Review Webster Room Get techniques for costuming a musical review without going over budget... or going crazy. Darrell Wagner, Instructor of Costume Design, Casper (WY) College

10:00-11:15am

ADMINISTRATION Building A Volunteer Army Eisenhower North Learn how to utilize tactics that engage, increase, and retain volunteers! Participants will learn how to cultivate a comprehensive volunteer plan through a combination of new social media platforms, old-fashioned conversation, and organizational leadership strategies. Craig Gibson, Founding Executive Artistic Director, Premier Arts; Tanner Smale, Social Media Coordinator, Premier Arts

AACTFest 2019 | aact.org 23 June 18-22 | Gettysburg, PA AACTFest 2019 Workshops

Are you Ready for Disasters? The 3 Proven Strategies for Easy Preparedness Stevens Room This cutting-edge presentation, led by a Certified Emergency Manager© and longtime disaster manager, will teach you three proven strategies for properly building and implementing a disaster program for your theatre. Patrick Hardy, CEO, Hytropy.com

How Can Broadway Help You? Building The Bridge Between Broadway and Community Theatre Gettysburg Community Theatre Stage Learn how the Broadway community can help serve community theatres across the country. Ken Davenport, Tony Award-winning Broadway Producer

ARTISTIC Interactive Storytelling: Managing the Chaos of Allowing the Audience to Set the Path of the Story Webster Room Empower the audience to help make the performance unique. Through case studies and walk-throughs, explore how to unleash and control the beautiful element of surprise. Ruth Comley, Assistant Professor, Entertainment Technology Center at Carnegie Mellon University (Pittsburg, PA); Creative Director, Stage and Steal Productions

Freeing the Body to Free the Voice Majestic Theater Rehearsal Hall Learn from a Voice and Speech Specialist how to free up your muscles to promote better breathing for a well-procured voice. Jennifer Sherron-Stock, Faculty, City College of New York

EDUCATION/OUTREACH The Wonderful World of Senior Theatre: Many Ways a Community Theatre Can Involve Older Adults Eisenhower South Explore the many ways Community Theatre can involve older adults. From classes to performances, working with seniors is easy, fun, and fundable. Bonnie L. Vorenberg, President, ArtAge’s Senior Theatre Resource Center

SATURDAY, JUNE 22, 2019 8:30-9:45am

ARTISTIC Discovering Shakespeare Webster Room This active, hands-on workshop is designed to provide both the beginner and advanced actor with techniques to better understand Shakespeare’s work from the actor’s perspective. Joel Jahnke, Artistic Director, Montana Shakespeare in the Parks

AACTFest 2019 | aact.org 24 June 18-22 | Gettysburg, PA AACTEd Hours AACT will provide members with documentation of participation in quality educational activities through AACT. A form is included in your registration packet to receive AACTEd Hours for AACTFest 2019 workshops.

EDUCATION/OUTREACH Audio Description: the Visual Made Verbal Eisenhower South Learn the "Fundamentals of Audio Description” and build awareness for those with vision impairments from the leading expert and pioneer in the audio description field. Joel Snyder, Ph.D., President, Audio Description Associates, LLC(USA); Director, Audio Description Project, American Council of the Blind.

8:30-11:15am

ARTISTIC The Zen of Improvisational Acting Majestic Theater Rehearsal Hall Come play, laugh, and meet new people in a safe and supportive environment. A “hands on, heads off” workshop for newcomers and advanced players. Karen Land, Assistant Professor, Gettysburg (PA) College and Carroll Community College (Westminster, MD)

10:00-11:15am

Broadway Sr.: Transforming Senior Theatre with the MTI Jr. Series Eisenhower South In the United States, 300,000 people turn 65 every month. It’s time to put them on stage and in the spotlight at your community theatre. We will show you how! Morrie Enders, Executive Director, Lincoln (NE) Community Playhouse; John Prignano, COO, Director of Education and Development, Music Theatre International

“PLAYtime” Building Literacy in Your Community Theatre Through the Arts! Gettysburg Community Theatre Stage Exploring the “ART” of storytime as “PLAYtime” connects children and families to stories rich with props and music, building your theatre community, and strengthening literacy. Trish Yates, Outreach/Education Consultant, PLAYtime Author

MARKETING/DEVELOPMENT Social Media Management 101 Webster Room Expand your reach in your community and increase ticket sales tenfold by applying secret tools, resources, and habits Digital Marketers are using. Chris Murphy, Digital Marketer, Host of Community Theater Heroes podcast

AACTFest 2019 | aact.org 25 June 18-22 | Gettysburg, PA Gettysburg Hotel Map

AACTFest 2019 | aact.org 26 June 18-22 | Gettysburg, PA

AACTFest 2019 AACTChats

AACTChat is a forum for all AACTFest participants to share and exchange ideas addressing current and ongoing theatre issues. AACTChats will be held Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday, from 11:30 am – 12:45 pm in the Gettysburg Community Theatre auditorium.

TOPIC FACILITATED BY WEDNESDAY Fundraising/Finding Money In The Sofa Cushions Dennis Gilmore

THURSDAY Youth Theatre/Our Future is Now Linda M. Lee

SATURDAY Volunteers/How Do I Get More? Mary Jo DeNolf

Join your AACT friends in these stimulating discussions, learn from others’ experiences, and help others by sharing how you have overcome your challenges.

AACTFest 2019 Exhibitors AACTFest 2019 Exhibitors are located in the Gettysburg Hotel Ballroom. The Exhibit Hall is open Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, 8:30 am – Noon

ArtAge Publications MTI - Music Theatre International Arts People Parlights, Inc. BookTix Playscripts Broadway Licensing Saffire Broadway Media Distribution (BMD) Select Travel Service Concord Theatricals Stage Rights Cynthia Haynes DiSavino, Playwright Theatrical Rights Worldwide (TRW) Dramatic Publishing TicketsToTheCity Eldridge Plays and Musicals USITT Erma Bombeck and Molly Ivins Plays Vendini Grosh Backdrops & Projections Watchfire Signs Heuer Publishing XS Lighting & Sound Hytropy Disaster Planning

COFFEE + NETWORKING Coffee will be served in the old bank vault in the Exhibit Hall (Gettysburg Hotel Ballroom). Stop by the vault for coffee and networking, while visiting the Exhibits or on your way to a workshop.

Thursday – Friday – Saturday 8:30am–Noon

AACTFest 2019 | aact.org 28 June 18-22 | Gettysburg, PA AACTFest 2019 Thanks

A special thanks to the 2019 AACT Festival Committee:

Jim Walker, Chair and Vice President for Festivals Emily Anderson Kay Armstrong Chad-Alan Carr Lori Chase Bob Frame Dennis Gilmore Chris Serface Ron Ziegler, staff

And to the Festival Commissioners who provide guidance and support to the state and regional festivals:

Bill Anderson, Kay Armstrong, Susan Austin, Sharon Burum, Lori Chase, Murray Chase, Mary Jo DeNolf, John Eppert, Donna Fisher, Bob Frame, Dennis Gilmore, Stephen Krempasky, Frank Peot, Katrina Ploof, Kristi Quinn, Jon Douglas Rake, Wanda Schenk, Chris Serface, Jim Walker, Ron Ziegler

AACTFest 2019 | aact.org 29 June 18-22 | Gettysburg, PA

Plan Now for AACTFest 2021 National Festival! Louisville, Kentucky Summer 2021.

The 2021 AACT National Festival and Conference will be June 14 – 19, 2021, in Louisville, Kentucky, at The Kentucky Center for the Performing Arts. The Conference hotel will be the Hyatt Regency Louisville. Located in the heart of downtown and tourism district, the festival and conference locations will all be within walking distance.

The Kentucky Center for the Performing Arts, home of AACTFest 2021 photo by Louisville Tourism

AACTFest 2021 National Festival performances will take place in the Moritz von Bomhard Theater. It is a dynamic venue with a modiﬁed thrust stage, 619 seat capacity, and an extensive technical inventory. AACT is excited to host the festival in Pegged as one of the “10 Best New Food Cities” in such a culturally America, with top-class restaurants, new-age southern cuisine, and the one and only Urban Bourbon Experience vibrant and charming ™, Louisville plays hosts to one-of-a-kind attractions like southern city. We are the legendary Churchill Downs, Kentucky Center for looking forward to Performing Arts, Actors Theatre of Louisville, Louisville seeing “Ya’ll” there! Slugger Museum & Factory, Speed Art Museum, and the Muhammad Ali Center…just to name a few.

To learn more, visit gotolouisville.com More details will be available at aact.org following AACTFest 2019.

AACTFest 2019 | aact.org 31 June 18-22 | Gettysburg, PA

AACTFest 2019 Adjudicators

MURRAY CHASE is the Executive/Artistic Director of Venice Theatre, a position he has held for the past 22 years. Venice Theatre (located on Florida’s Gulf Coast) is one of the country’s largest community theatres and host of aactWorldFest, America’s international community theatre festival. Murray has adjudicated across the U.S. for both state and regional community theatre and secondary festivals, including Regions IV, VI, and IX in AACTFest cycles. He has directed more than 230 shows during his 40-year career and has acted in, designed, and/or produced hundreds more in academic, professional, and community venues (“Some of which occurred before the invention of fire,” he notes). Murray has been honored many times for his work in theatre: he is an eight-time Best Director award winner at state and regional festivals, Distinguished Career honoree from the Florida Theatre Conference, a member of the AACT Fellows, and recipient of AACT’s Art Cole Lifetime Achievement Award.

JOEL JAHNKE, Professor Emeritus at Montana State University, was Artistic Director of Montana Shakespeare in the Parks from 1981 until his retirement in 2013. Winner of the Governor’s Award for the Arts, Shakespeare in the Parks has been featured on NBC Nightly News and Montana PBS, as well as in The Wall Street Journal and The New York Times. A feature documentary entitled Bard in the Backcountry showcases the company throughout its 2013 tour. Joel has served as an adjudicator for the American College Theatre Festival in the Rocky Mountain region, as well as for AACT regional festivals in South Dakota. He is a recipient of the Phi Kappa Phi Distinguished Teaching Award and the Excellence in Outreach Award from Montana State University. He has appeared in, directed, and/or designed over 400 professional, college, and community theatre productions. In retirement, he continues to pursue professional theatrical opportunities as actor, director, and designer.

AACTFest 2019 | aact.org 34 June 18-22 | Gettysburg, PA SARA PHOENIX serves as Artistic Director for Theatre Tulsa in Tulsa, Oklahoma. She has directed and/or choreographed more than 100 productions for various theatres and schools throughout her 20-year career. She holds a BFA in Theatre from the University of Oklahoma and is a certified theatre educator, workshop presenter, and adjudicator, as well as founder of Theatre Tulsa’s youth education program. Sara has both performed in and directed award-winning productions at AACTFest National Festivals and has twice had the opportunity to travel to Germany to perform at the AACT U.S. Army-Europe Festival. Since 2009, she has served on a number of AACT committees, including Workshops, Education, NewPlayFest, and Festival Adjudication. She also served as co-facilitator of AACT’s Youth Summit in 2015 and helped to initiate the Youth Conference and Youth Festival at AACTFest 2017 National Festival in Rochester, Minnesota. She currently serves on the AACT Board and is Chair of the Education Committee.

BERNARD DICASIMIRRO Alternate Adjudicator has a lifelong history with theatre having started acting in school productions in the fifth grade. He began directing in college, and while in medical school found a theatre home at The Des Moines Playhouse where he acted in several productions. Over the years, he has worked with many companies in the Philadelphia, Bucks County, South Jersey, and Harrisburg areas including the Langhorne Players, Bridge Players Theatre, and the Burlington County Footlighters. He directed a production of D.H. Lawrence’s The Daughter-In-Law that was presented at the Eastern States Theatre Association (ESTA) AACT festival, and he has attended each of the last eight national AACTFest festivals.

AACTFest 2019 | aact.org 35 June 18-22 | Gettysburg, PA

AACT YouthFest 2019 Adjudicators

KRISTY MEANOR has spent a lifetime in community theatre as an actor, director, designer, and producer. For the last 12 years she has served as the Artistic Director for the Wetumpka Depot Players. Serving in past leadership roles with Southeastern Theatre Conference, she currently serves as president of the Alabama Conference of Theatre. Kristy is a recipient of the Marian Galloway Award for her contributions to theatre in Alabama. Performance credits include Jessie (‘night Mother), Sister Amnesia (Nunsense), Amanda (The Glass Menagerie), Dotty (Noises Off), and traveling the show At Wit’s End as Erma Bombeck. Directing credits, numbering over 100, include Big River, Young Frankenstein, Ring of Fire, Christmas Story, Tuesdays with Morrie, and The Fantasticks. Kristy has traveled productions to the state, regional, and national levels over the last nine years receiving recognitions along the way for top shows and for her work in direction, acting, and design. Kristy has adjudicated high school and community theatre festivals and was named 2018 Citizen of the Year by the Wetumpka Chamber of Commerce for her work promoting theatre in central Alabama.

KATHY PINGEL was the Director of Education and Youth Programming at the Des Moines Community Playhouse for ten years. She also served as Artistic Director of the Kate Goldman Children’s Theatre. She holds a BA in Theatre from Eastern Michigan University, where she studied with Virginia Koste and both a MA in Performance Studies and a MAT in teaching from Northwestern University, where she worked with Frank Galati. Kathy authored AACT’s Adjudication Training Curriculum, has facilitated the Adjudication Seminar and the Adjudication Training workshop offered at national levels, and is currently serving as dramaturge for the 2020 AACT NewPlayFest world premiere productions.

DENNIS YSLAS has adjudicated for AACT at the state and regional levels and was the alternate adjudicator for AACTFest 2017 in Rochester, Minnesota. His first AACT experience was in 1993 when he stage managed an award-winning production of Six Women With Brain Death, produced by Theatre Arlington. He has judged high school speech tournaments on the state and national levels and is an active judge for Dallas Summer Musicals’ High School Music Theatre Awards. Dennis is a member of Actors’ Equity Association, the union of professional actors and stage managers. He is the Executive Director for AACT member organization Texas Nonprofit Theatres, Inc. He has been an actor for over 40 years and is an award-winning director in the Dallas/Fort Worth area.

AACTFest 2019 | aact.org 37 June 18-22 | Gettysburg, PA

AACT Design Competition Adjudicators

ERIC BLAIR BERNINGHAUSEN designs and teaches theatre at Gettysburg College in Pennsylvania. Eric received his BS in Theatre from Skidmore College and his MFA in Scenic Design from Boston University. He developed a wide range of skills working as a freelance theatre artist in New York City designing shows, building props, and painting sets. He has worked on and off Broadway for theatre companies such as Manhattan Theatre Club, Playwrights Horizons, Signature Theater, Dixon Place, Performance Space 122, and The Public Theater. See his portfolio at designebb.com.

TYMBERLEY WHITESEL is the Chair and a Professor of Theatre Design at Messiah College School of the Arts in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania. She has worked in scenery and lighting design for over 20 years. Along with working in educational theatre, she has a number of professional design credits and has worked for theatre companies such as: The Ohio Light Opera, where she was a resident scenic designer for 10 seasons; Airmid Theatre Company; The Florence Little Theatre; South Carolina Shakespeare Company; and The Illinois Shakespeare Festival. In addition to scenery and lighting design, she has also worked professionally as a scenic painter, properties master, soft goods artisan, set dresser, and carpenter. Tymberley is an active member of The United States Institute of Theatre Technology.

AACTFest 2019 Monologue Competition Adjudicator

RON CAMERON-LEWIS is Professor Emeritus at Sheridan College in Oakville, Ontario, Canada, where he helped establish the Music Theatre program in 1972. He has worked as a theatre educator and adjudicator for AACT at state, regional, national, and international levels and taught adjudication at AACTFests in Rochester, New York, and Carmel, Indiana, plus many workshops at festivals around the USA.

AACTFest 2019 | aact.org 39 June 18-22 | Gettysburg, PA Corporate Partners

Much of the work of the American Association of Community Theatre would not be possible without the generous support of our Corporate Partners, who are listed below. We thank each of them for their commitment to AACT—and to the work of community theatres everywhere.

DIAMOND PARTNER Music Theatre International (MTI) is one of the world’s leading theatrical licensing agencies, granting theatres from around the world the rights to perform the greatest selection of musicals from Broadway and beyond. New musicals currently available for licensing include Mamma Mia, Roald Dahl’s Matilda, Newsies, Freaky Friday, A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder, Snapshots, and Oliver. MTI’s future releases include Rocky, Groundhog Day, Come from Away, Elf the Musical, Kinky Boots, Once, The Scottsboro Boys, The Band’s Visit, Beautiful, and Something Rotten. mtishows.com

PLATINUM PARTNERS

GOLD PARTNERS

SILVER PARTNERS Dramatists Onstage Vendini Play Service, Inc. Publications

BRONZE PARTNERS PROGRAM PARTNERS Book Tix ASCAP Dramatic Publishing Jack K. Ayre and Frank Ayre Lee Eldridge Plays and Musicals Theatre Foundation Dramatic Publishing CONTRIBUTING PARTNERS King Insurance Group BINGO (the winning musical) HomeAdvisor SUPPORT THEATRE IN AMERICA Lectrosonics Become an AACT Corporate Partner Select Entertainment Productions Tickets to the City For information on becoming an AACT Corporate partner visit aact.org/become-corporate-partner

AACTFest 2019 | aact.org 40 June 18-22 | Gettysburg, PA AACTFest 2019 | aact.org 41 June 18-22 | Gettysburg, PA

AACTFest 2019 | aact.org 43 June 18-22 | Gettysburg, PA

AACT 2018-2019 Board and Staff

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE* Carole Ries, President* Topeka, KS Rick Kerby, Executive Vice President* Bradenton, FL Jim Walker, Vice President of Festivals* Aberdeen, SD Frank Peot, Secretary* Sun Prairie, WI Michael D. Fox, Treasurer* North Salt Lake, UT

MEMBERS AT LARGE Emily Anderson Midland, MI Sharon Burum Duncan, OK Ron Cameron-Lewis Ontario, Canada Chad-Alan Carr Gettysburg, PA Martha Cherbini Leander, TX Michael Cochran Paducah, KY Allen Ebert Madison, WI Bob Frame Skaneateles, NY Richard Gannon Naperville, IL Kristofer Geddie Venice, FL Lucinda Lawrence Champaign, IL Carolyn McCloskey McMinnville, OR Sara Phoenix* Tulsa, OK Kristi Quinn* Dakota City, NE Judy Rozema Kearney, NE Chris Serface Tacoma, WA Jamie Ulmer Beatrice, NE

REGION REPRESENTATIVES I Beverley Lord Foxborough, MA II Joan Luther Naples, NY III Steve Hughes Kokomo, IN IV Lynn Nelson* Tupelo, MS V Nancy Eppert Independence, MO VI Sally Barnes Broken Arrow, OK VII Donna Fisher Casper, WY VIII Dennis Gilmore Indio, CA IX Jon Douglas Rake* Tacoma, WA X Dane Winters Germany (US Army)

AACT STAFF Karen Matheny, Quiana Clark-Roland, Office Support Manager Executive Director Winston Daniels, David Cockerell, Operations/Events Assistant Marketing/Communications Director Jill Patchin, Geoff Leonard-Robinson, Corporate Partners Manager Membership Director Darlene DeLorenzo, Ron Ziegler, Vendor Services Coordinator Festivals Coordinator Stephen Peithman, Webmaster

AACTFest 2019 | aact.org 45 June 18-22 | Gettysburg, PA AACTFest 2019 Silent Auction

Join the fun of the AACTFest 2019 Silent Auction! There are a variety of items to choose from. Receive a great deal by making the highest bid AND support the AACT Endowment Fund.

Items can be viewed and purchased online at 32auctions.com/AACTAuction19.

Online bidding is available anytime.

The AACTFest Silent Auction is set up in the Majestic Theater balcony lobby. Visit and make your bids:

Wednesday, June 19, Noon – 10pm

Thursday, June 20, Noon – 7pm

Friday, June 21, Noon – 5pm

The Silent Auction closes all bids –online and in person–at 5pm on Friday, June 21

For more info on how to bid, visit aact.org/silent-auction.

AACT Endowment funds sustain the mission and longevity of AACT, and also provide travel assistance to companies representing their regions at the national festival. Proceeds from the Silent Auction go to the AACT Endowment Mission Fund.

The 12 companies participating in the national AACTFest 2019 will each receive a grant from the Endowment to help cover expenses of traveling to the festival.

AACTFest 2019 | aact.org 46 June 18-22 | Gettysburg, PA

AACTFest 2019 | aact.org 48 June 18-22 | Gettysburg, PA AACT NewPlayFest 2020

Congratulations to AACT NewPlayFest 2020 Winning Playwrights and Producing Theatres

Casserole by Pamela Harbaugh Boise Little Theater | AACT Region IX boiselittletheater.org World Premiere: October 18 – November 2, 2019

Goat Song Revel by Dan Borengasser Manatee Performing Arts Center | AACT Region IV manateeperformingartscenter.com World Premiere: February 6 – 23, 2020

The Cayuga Canal Girls by Laura King Phoenix Stage Company | AACT Region I phoenixstagecompany.org World Premiere: March 20 – 29, 2020

Proprioception by Marilyn Millstone Rover Dramawerks | AACT Region VI roverdramawerks.com World Premiere: April 23 – May 9, 2020

On Pine Knoll Street by Mark Cornell The Sauk | AACT Region III thesauk.org World Premiere: February 2020

Shattering by Pat Montley Tacoma Little Theatre | AACT Region IX tacomalittletheatre.com World Premiere: January 24 – February 9, 2020

The AACT NewPlayFest 2020 is sponsored in part by the Jack K. Ayre and Frank Ayre Lee Theatre Foundation and Dramatic Publishing Company.

AACTFest 2019 | aact.org 49 June 18-22 | Gettysburg, PA AACT 2019 National Awards

AACT is proud to recognize the 2019 DAVID C. BRYANT OUTSTANDING SERVICE AWARD recipients of AACT National Awards Recognizes individual members of AACT for significant, valuable, and lasting service to 2019 AACT FELLOWS The honorable designation FELLOW is community theatre bestowed for life upon those members of Bayless Eugene Irby AACT who over a period of years have (Artesia, New Mexico) contributed significantly to the idea and ideal of community theatre DISTINGUISHED MERIT AWARD Presented to individuals and organizations in Lynn Nelson (Tupelo, Mississippi) recognition of contributions made to promote John Davis (Evergreen, Colorado) and develop the highest standards Bob Kafka (Wauwatosa, for community theatre Wisconsin – posthumously) Debbie Litch (Memphis, Tennessee) ART COLE LIFETIME OF The US Army Installation Management LEADERSHIP AWARD Command (IMCOM) Honors a lifetime of leadership in community Europe Entertainment Volunteer Costume theatre by members of AACT who have and Set Design Staff provided leadership at the national level, in (Ansbach, Germany) addition to local and/or regional levels SPECIAL RECOGNITION AWARD Tim Jebsen (Midland, Texas) Presented to persons or organizations whose contributions to community theatre are far DIAMOND CROWN reaching and of a special nature ORGANIZATION AWARD Recognizes longevity and vitality of AACT Valerie Kavanaugh (Averill Park, member theatres that have expanded New York) programming and/or facilities in the past ten Theatrix (Franken Kaserne, years and have the administrative leadership Ansbach, Germany) to remain vital to their communities for the ROBERT E. GARD SUPERIOR next ten years. Recipients must have been in VOLUNTEER AWARD continuous operation for seventy-five years Presented to individuals above the age of and organizational members of AACT for the sixty-five who have faithfully served past ten years community theatre on a non-paid basis Des Moines Community Playhouse for over twenty-five years (Des Moines, Iowa) Carl and Jane Moore (Midland, Texas)

TWINK LYNCH ORGANIZATIONAL MORT CLARK INTERNATIONAL ACHIEVEMENT AWARD ACHIEVEMENT AWARD Recognizes AACT member theatres for Recognizes significant achievement in the successfully completing major steps in promotion of excellence in international new directions, expanding services to their community theatre community, or moving to the next level of organizational development Murray and Lori Chase (Venice, Florida) Alton Little Theater (Alton, Illinois) SHINING STAR AWARD Recognizes an individual AACT Member with significant leadership and service on a national level Chris Serface (Tacoma, Washington)

AACTFest 2019 | aact.org 50 June 18-22 | Gettysburg, PA Years of Service 2019

In celebration of our volunteers, the AACT Board of Directors recognizes the following volunteers who have served AACT as Board members, on committees and other groups, and as State Contacts. Years of Service pins are presented to recognize five-year milestones of volunteer and staff service.

AACT Congratulates and appreciates these volunteers with AACT years of Service pins.

30 YEARS 10 YEARS Joanne Berry (Bay City, MI) Michael Cochran (Paducah, KY) Sharon Burum (Duncan, OK) 25 YEARS Allen Ebert (Madison, WI) Harv Thompson (McFarland, WI) Joan Luther (Naples, NY) Kay Armstrong (Dallas, TX) Lynn Nelson (Tupelo, MS) Rick Kerby (Sarasota, FL) 20 YEARS Sara Phoenix (Tulsa, OK) Murray Chase (Venice, FL) Lori C. Chase (Venice, FL) Ginger Heath (Monroe, NC) Chad McDonald (Cookeville, TN)

15 YEARS 5 YEARS Jon Douglas Rake (Tacoma, WA) Robert Frame (Skaneateles, NY) Mary Norman (Moultrie, GA) Chad-Alan Carr (Gettysburg, PA) Vickie Trickett (Morgantown, WV) Steven Hughes (Kokomo, IN) Sally Barnes (Broken Arrow, OK) Brad Moore (Glenwood Springs, CO)

AACT 2019 Awards Show

Producer Chris Serface Mistress/Master of Ceremony Emily Anderson/Kristofer Geddie

AACTFest 2019 | aact.org 51 June 18-22 | Gettysburg, PA Legacy Society

The AACT Legacy Society was established to help build the AACT Endowment Fund. The purpose of the Endowment Fund is to provide for long-term sustainability of AACT’s mission and to support theatre travel to national festivals.

AACT THANKS THESE MEMBERS OF THE AACT LEGACY SOCIETY: Stephen J. Bird* Rod McCullough* Chad-Alan Carr Linda Sue Miller* James & Nancy Carver* William P. Muchow* Susanne Caviness* JoAnne Nissen Murray & Lori Chase* Jill Patchin Tom & Linda Cowley* Frank Peot* Julie Crawford* Kristi & William Quinn* Mary & John Doverton Jon Douglas Rake & Jeffrey A. Stvrtecky* Nancy & John Eppert* Carole E. Ries* Dennis & Karen Gilmore* Ronald J. & Wanda Coats Schenk* Hale Centre Theatre* Chris J. Serface* John B. Harper* H. Harv Thompson* Ginger Heath* Louis Wagner & Martha Cherbini Eugene & Susan Irby* Gary & Janice Walker* Rick Kerby* Jim Walker & Jerry Oligmueller* Jon S. Kerkhoff* Robert Wheland & Leslie Stanford* Stephen & Mary Krempasky Ron Ziegler & Kathy Pingel Linda M. Lee & Jay A. Isham* Patty Loftis* *AACT Legacy Society Founding Members

Help the AACT Endowment Fund continue to make a difference to community theatres across the nation. With a $5,000 cash donation, pledge, or inclusion of the AACT Endowment Fund as a beneficiary in your estate planning, you can become a member of this visionary society, and your gift will create a legacy that assures sustainability for current and future AACT programs. For more information, visit aact.org, or contact the AACT office at [email protected] or 817-732-3177.

AACTFest 2019 | aact.org 52 June 18-22 | Gettysburg, PA National Festival 2019 Staff

Festival Coordinator Jill Patchin Volunteer/Intern Coordinator Mary Jo DeNolf AACT Technical Liaison Bob Frame Festival Commissioner Eugene Irby Workshops Chair Chris Serface Registrar Karen Matheny Registration Winston Daniels AACT Corporate Partners Jill Patchin Exhibitors/Advertisers Darlene DeLorenzo Webmaster Stephen Peithman Promotion Emily Anderson, David Cockerell, AACT Communications Team Photographer Paola Nogueras Youth Festival Chair & Commissioner Chad-Alan Carr Youth Leadership Conference Facilitator Jennifer Hamilton Monologue Competition Coordinator Kristopher Geddie AACTChat Coordinator Sharon Burum Adjudication Seminar/Workshop Instructor Kathy Pingel Community Theatre Management Conference Facilitator Ron Ziegler People’s Choice Chair Jon Douglas Rake Silent Auction Co-Chairs Rick Kerby, Sue Ellen Gerrells AACT National Awards Stage Manager Lynn Nelson Festival Interns Blake Carlson, Ashley Parks, Jordan Williams, Thomas Griffin Majestic Theater Technical Director Jonathan Stiles Majestic Theater Assistant Technical Director Robert Brown Majestic Theater Front of House Staff Matthew Moon Workshop Proctors AACT Workshop Committee members Company Coordinator Ron Ziegler Company Communications Winston Daniels Program Editor David Cockerell Program Design Onstage Publications Videographer Kamio Media

AACTFest 2019 | aact.org 53 June 18-22 | Gettysburg, PA

Majestic Theater

Gettysburg College’s Majestic Theater at the Jennifer and David LeVan Performing Arts Center

On November 14, 1925, the doors of the Majestic Theater opened for the first time, welcoming audiences to the largest vaudeville and silent movie theater in south-central Pennsylvania. Built by Henry Scharf as an annex to the historic Gettysburg Hotel, the theater seated 1,200 patrons and proudly served as the cultural crossroads of commerce, college, and community.

Since 1925, the Majestic is where the Adams County community has gathered to watch its favorite Hollywood stars, win free prizes on Bank Night, smooch in the balcony, and sip a Coke at the Majestic Grill.

In the 1950’s, the Majestic Theater stepped onto the world stage when President Dwight D. Eisenhower and First Lady Mamie Eisenhower regularly attended performances, often in the company of world leaders. The theater’s ballroom/gymnasium, always a popular spot for young people, was often used by the White House press corps for news conferences whenever President Eisenhower was in residence at his Gettysburg farm.

For a small-town theater, the Majestic has had more than its share of movie premieres, including the North American premiere of Federico Fellini’s masterpiece, Satyricon, in 1970, and the world premiere of Ted Turner’s Civil War epic, Gettysburg, in 1993.

In November 2005, the Majestic, now beautifully restored to its original grandeur, once again welcomed audiences with an extraordinary showcase of the performing arts and cinema. Join us at the Majestic, the grandest small-town theater in America!

AACTFest 2019 | aact.org 55 June 18-22 | Gettysburg, PA Gettysburg Community Theatre

GTC’s mission is to inspire creativity and confidence, provide cultural enrichment, and instill a love of the theatre arts in people of ALL ages and abilities through quality education and performance.

Check out gettysburgcommunitytheatre.org/ and participate if you live in the Gettysburg area. And if you are visiting Gettysburg again, check out the website to see what’s playing and catch a show!

AACTFest 2019 Special Thanks

Borough of Gettysburg Quality Inn Gettysburg Battlefield The Honorable Theodore H. Holiday Inn Express & Streeter, Mayor of Gettysburg Suites Gettysburg Destination Gettysburg Upper Crust Restaurant Gettysburg College’s Majestic Gettysburg Battlefield Bus Tours Theater at the Jennifer and David Bob Frame and Cayuga Community LeVan Performing Arts Center College, Auburn NY Chad-Alan Carr and the staff of Phantom Entertainment Family Gettysburg Community Theatre Kamio Media Gettysburg College The Honorable Thomas Wolf, The Gettysburg Hotel Governor of Pennsylvania Best Western of Onstage Publications Gettysburg Battlefield

AACTFest 2019 | aact.org 56 June 18-22 | Gettysburg, PA

Guides and Criteria

AACTFest is a program of the American Association of Community Theatre (AACT). The festival process or cycle culminates in a national theatre festival held in odd numbered years. The festival cycle presents a forum for community theatres from the ten regions of AACT to enter productions for adjudication and possible advancement to higher festival levels.

GOALS • To provide learning experiences in artistic, technical, and management areas through performances, adjudication, workshops, and festival participation; thereby affirming, supporting, and nurturing community theatre companies. • To stimulate and inspire community theatre companies to strive toward excellence in theatrical production and to recognize them for their achievement through an appropriate adjudication process. • To develop enlightened and discerning audiences for community theatre.

GENERAL RULES • All theatre companies must meet the same eligibility standards and requirements. • It is the responsibility of each entering company to read the entire AACTFest 2019 Handbook and ensure compliance with all of the rules. • Each festival must be held in a functioning theatre facility, unless granted exception by the AACT Vice President for Festivals. • A production must be performed in the same form at all festival levels, with changes permitted only if based upon adjudicator comments. Changes for facility limitations require a waiver from the Vice President for Festivals. • Maximum time limits are 10 minutes for set-up; 60 minutes for performance and 10 minutes for strike. A closed 80 minute tech rehearsal, supervised by the Commissioner, will be scheduled in the theatre facility for each competing company. • The house must be closed during each performance. It must remain open for set-up and strike.

AACTFest 2019 | aact.org 58 June 18-22 | Gettysburg, PA AACT ADJUDICATION GUIDELINES Plays are to be adjudicated based on the overall production, with acting and directing as the major elements. All types of productions (comedy, drama, original works, musicals, revues, avant-garde, “controversial,” etc.) are acceptable entries to the festival and must be considered on a similar basis, as each company has a free choice of material (a one-act, a cutting, a selected act, etc.). The best production will be the one most fully realizing the intent of the material and the concept for the show, keeping in mind the criteria listed below. Design and technical competence is to be given consideration as to its effectiveness as an integral part of the total production experience. Adjudicators may not question the choice, except as to its appropriateness for the company, and comment only on how it was realized.

Among the criteria to be considered are: • Is the acting believable and technically skillful with effective timing? • Are the characters well interpreted? • Does the company display ensemble work? • Is the material appropriate for the company? • Is the concept appropriate for the material and realized by the company? • Has the structure of the production been controlled? • Are the movements and stage pictures effective? • Is the production well paced? • Do the technical elements support the overall production? • How effective was the total impact?

CENSORSHIP AACT policy permits the widest possible range of dramatic material to be performed in a festival of the American Association of Community Theatre, and does not permit censorship of any company’s production.

AACTFest 2019 | aact.org 59 June 18-22 | Gettysburg, PA