ACT Theater Company Works to Build 200-Seat Theatre in North Andover

ACT Theater Company is excited to announce the launch of “The Spotlight Initiative”- a campaign to raise funds to help build a performing arts space at North Andover’s Osgood Landing Complex that will house a 200 seating theater, classroom and rehearsal space. To accomplish this they have turned to Kickstarter, a popular online site that helps groups and ideas get funding from all around the world, to turn dreams into a reality.

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.

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 from all areas, to nurture their love of performing- we are not only building a theater, we are building a home for the arts.”

With the full support of the Town of North Andover, ACT Theater Company is moving forward with plans to create a performing arts space that will house a 200 seat theater, classrooms and rehearsal space at Osgood Landing on Rt. 125. 

“We have the dream and the business plan,” says Charles Gracy, the artistic director of ACT Theater Company and local theater teacher, “but what we need now is the support of the community.“ 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,” says Gracy.

The funds raised through Kickstarter and through other fundraising efforts will go towards building a handicap accessible bathroom, putting in new carpeting, putting up walls to create the classrooms and rehearsal space. “Every single dollar that we raise will make a difference to what we are trying to do. This is not just an investment on our part, but something the community can really get involved in and take pride in,” says ACT’s Executive Producer, Mark Gracy.

ACT is a nonprofit organization, so every donation is tax deductible. With an ambitious season lined up for next year, it’s no doubt that the residents of the Merrimack Valley and beyond are in for some amazing shows and entertainment. 

“Part of the reason we started ACT was because we believed that there was a plethora of local talent that was untapped, and we wanted to showcase it. We quickly realized that there was a calling for a place for children and teens to receive a strong theater education, in a confidence building environment- it’s become our passion and a huge part of who ACT is as a group. Our education youth programs have attracted kids from as far as Saugus to make the daily commute to take part, which is a testament to their commitment and to what ACT offers them,” says Charles.

Interested in learning more or getting involved? Contact cara@acttheatercompany.com to learn how you can help.

Visit here for the Kickstarter campaign. 

To see their ACT Kickstarter campaign, please visit https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1162039206/acts-spotlight-initiative-lets-build-a-theater?ref=nav_search

To make a tax deductible donation, please visit www.acttheatercompany.com.