Altoona Community Theatre is a not-for-profit organization with one full-time employee who oversees the administration of the group’s activity, supported by a part-time Administrative Assistant and a part-time Wardrobe Supervisor. 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 1,300 subscribers for the season from a geographic base of up to 60 miles away. Some subscribers come from as far as Indiana, Johnstown, Bedford, Huntingdon, State College, Boalsburg, Clearfield and Philipsburg. Typical attendance for individual productions rages from 1,600 for non-musicals to 3,000 for musicals. ACT productions are budgeted around $8,000 for a comedy, drama or mystery; $20,000 for a small musical and $30,000 for a large-scale musical. ACT’s typical expenses for producing musicals include royalties $9,000; orchestra $5,500; sets $2,000; costumes $4,000 and sound $2,500. ACT pays Blair County Arts Foundation nearly $25,000 annually to rent the historic Mishler Theatre for its shows.
In 1983, ACT purchased the former Downtown Elks Lodge operations headquarters, 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 $15,000.
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
