Dear Members, Alumni, and Prospective Members, and Parents:

As you may have heard by now, the Board has recently reached a very difficult decision. We have decided that it is time to darken our stage, and that our upcoming production, SEUSSICAL, will be our last.

This was not an easy decision for us to make. We are very proud of the organization, its members, and its accomplishments and are deeply invested, both personally and business-wise. However, the time and energy that is invested in a program such as ours is significant. We are run by an all-volunteer board and it is becoming increasingly difficult to find the time necessary to support the program, while maintaining the level of quality we’ve always strived for.

Therefore, we have decided that it is time to prepare for our final curtain call. We are hopeful that many of our current members, as well as alumni, will come out for the audition, along with any new youth who may be interested. We are thrilled that SEUSSICAL will be our last show in that it has many great characters and wonderful ensemble roles. Please note that some of the characters are recurring, while others are only in the show for a scene or two. Whereas it is the practice of ACT to cast individuals in multiple roles when warranted, we will also consider a reduced rehearsal schedule for certain characters, which may be easier for some people to accommodate, allowing them the opportunity to participate in our last show. We are looking forward to SEUSSICAL being a lively, energetic, fun and fabulous show!

We sincerely hope that you will either audition, or if you are unable to audition, come out and see the show. We would like ACT to end as it began, a belief in ourselves and each other, a passion for the arts, a dream of what can be, and a celebration of all that we are.

We sincerely hope to see you soon.

ACT Board of Directors

Justina Merz, President

Trish Haverkamp, Vice President

Connie Riker, Treasurer

Judy Zahora, Recording Secretary

In the Spring of 2002, five women sat around a kitchen table talking and from that conversation, Amity Children’s Theater (ACT) was born. Well, we quickly outgrew that kitchen table and are very proud of our accomplishments since then. 2006 was especially busy for us as we filed paperwork to change our name from Amity Children’s Theater to Amity Community Theater, better reflecting our goal, mission and organizational membership. Also, this was the year we moved our rehearsal space from our studio in Birdsboro to the Family Life and Mission Center at St. Paul’s UCC in Amity. This move has enabled the all-volunteer Board of Directors to devote all of our time to the implementation of the program, and relieved us of the burden of building maintenance/upkeep.

As time marches on, several of the founding Board members have moved on; however, we do still have two founding Board Members and the same primary goal that we have always had, “to enable our members the opportunity to gain experience in all aspects of the performing arts.” Since 2002, we have produced eleven nine mainstage productions, including ANNIE, WIZARD of OZ, BYE BYE BIRDIE, JOSEPH and the AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT, ANNIE GET YOUR GUN, SHOWSTOPPERS … A BROADWAY SPECTACULAR, CINDERELLA, GODSPELL, ALICE IN WONDERLAND, ANNIE and ONE TITANIC MESS! We are very proud of our productions, which utilize youth in all onstage roles as well as backstage roles, including: choreographer; sound technician; spotlight operator; pianist; conductor; costume; makeup; props; set construction and stage crew. In addition to our mainstage productions, we are very proud of our traveling vocal ensemble, “Invitation Only”, and the variety of classes and workshops we have offered.

In addition to the Board of Directors, we are fortunate to have friends and colleagues who tirelessly work “behind-the-scenes” to address all of the items in implementing a program such as ours. We have witnessed the fruit of our labors: the shy or insecure child blossoming; the techie finding their niche; the outgoing child finding an outlet; the friendships that are forged. As is often the case in community theater, it is a struggle financially.

Thank you for your support of the performing arts.

“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It’s not just in some of us; it’s in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”
- Marianne Williamson

ACT will be supported by membership dues and fundraising as well as pursuing local corporate sponsorship and grants. In order to participate in ACT functions you must hold a current membership.

Board of Directors

Justina Merz, President

Trisha Haverkamp, Vice-President

Connie Riker, Treasurer

Judyth Zahora, Recording Secretary