Alabama Community Theatre Festival

ACTFest ’12

The dust has settled; the lights have dimmed, and the reviews are in. Alabama winds up another successful Fall Festival! From workshops to the Silent Auction to the talent competition to productions, this event fostered a learning experience for all involved and created network opportunities for those who participated. Thanks to Kevin and Mary Ann Garrett, John and Susan Chain, Mike Gerrells, Terry Kelley, Bill Richardson, Karen Black, David Bailor, and all the community theatre participants who supported our festival in so many ways.

Four shows competed on October 15 at Jacksonville State University, Jacksonville, AL  from Wetumpka, Alabaster, Opelika, and Guntersville. Adjudicators April Marshall (North Carolina), Fulton Burns (Mobile, AL), Beth Harvey (Florida) chose the following to advance to Southeastern Theatre Conference in March, 2012:

  • “Agnes of God” by South City Theatre (Alabaster)
  • “Crafty” by Auburn Area Community Theatre (Opelika)

One Act Awards:

  • Best Actress: Andrea Holliday, Auburn Area Community Theatre
  • Best Actor: Not Given
  • Best Supporting Actress: Kristy Meanor, Wetumpka Depot Players
  • Best Supporting Actor: Jeff Langham,Wetumpka Depot Players
  • Best Ensemble: Whole Back Stage Theatre (Guntersville)

Talent Competition:

Adult Division: Lisa Ponder

Student Division

  • Best Musical Theatre Duo: Lexi Scarbrough and Grant Lackey
  • Best Monologue: Jared Wright
  • Best Musical Solo: Laura Kate Smith
  • Best Acting Duo: Laura Kate Smith and Jack Mullins

Sept. 1

If you are a theatre lover who enjoys a bargain, you won’t want to miss this  year’s  Alabama Community  Theatre Festival:   ACTFest  ‘12, October 14 and 15, 2011 at Stone Center and Wallace Center, Jacksonville State University in Jacksonville, AL . For a keynote speaker bio and schedule click: Community_CU Festival Schedule 2011

Where else can you:

Hear Keynote Speaker, Rick  Holmes, a professional New York  TV and Stage actor (“Spamalot”).

See great shows and hear the judges’ feedback to the companies:

  • “Agnes of God” by South City Theatre, Alabaster
  • “The Sugar Bean Sisters” by Wetumpka Depot Theatre
  • “Recess” by Whole Backstage Theatre, Guntersville
  • “Crafty” by Auburn Area Community Theatre

Attend workshops covering community theatre interests in stage combat, performing, and technical theatre. These workshops will be conducted by theatre professionals (including keynote speaker Rick Holmes) and held in conjunction with the ACT College/University Festival.

Earn prizes by performing during the first Emerging Talent Competition for individuals and duets in acting and singing.

Bid and win valuable items at the Silent Auction.

Network and socialize with theatre lovers and artists from across the state at the After Glow parties on Friday and Saturday after the final performance of the day.

All for only $25.00!

ACTFest ‘12 production winners will represent Alabama at the Southeastern Theatre Conference (SETC) in Chattanooga in March 2011. Theatre experts from the educational, community and professional theatre arenas serve as the adjudicators and will address the cast/crew and audience at the conclusion of each performance to provide feedback. They will also provide feedback to the talent competition and choose the winners for all competitions.This year’s experienced and talented Adjudicators are:

  • Fulton Burns,Director of Acting and Performance at the University of South Alabama, Mobile is aprofessional teacher, fight choreographer, director, and actor.
  • Beth Harvey is the Managing Director of the Wilson Center for the Arts at Florida Community College at Jacksonville, as well as Past President of SETC.
  • April Marshall is an actress and director from Greensboro, North Carolina who manages all aspects of the SETC Professional Auditions.

Each community theatre in Alabama receives two gift festival passes (worth $50). For additional information and/or full festival schedule, contact Sue Ellen Gerrells, Actexecdir@yahoo.com or by phone to (205) 936-9162.

Current members of ACT receive free admission to all ACT Events! Just show your membership card at the door.