The ACT Education and Outreach Program offers opportunities to learn theatre-related skills. Those bitten by the theatre bug learn by taking classes, becoming apprentices, and by participating in productions. ACT offers organizations and individuals a chance to "jump into" theatre in ways that fit their needs and wishes. If your organization is interested in finding out about how ACT can help you to expand your possibilities, please contact us. If you are an individual who would like to learn more about an aspect of theatre, please contact us.

ACT provides support services for the drama clubs at the Anchorage Senior Activity Center and Hope Community Resources, Inc. Both clubs are being offered "hands on" learning opportunities and the chance to perform in productions for the public. We also offer opportunities for Challenge Alaska clients to volunteer and perform in our Main Stage productions. ACT's most recent partner is the Mountain View Theatre Project.

The "Off The Rocker" Drama Club from the Anchorage Senior Activity Center performs the one act comedy 'Frieda's Book of the Dead' by Gail High for a dinner theatre show called "Death and Dessert", March 2007 (photo by Pam McDowell Saylor). Linda Benson is the teacher and director for the "Off The Rocker" Drama Club.

The "Actability" Drama Troupe from Hope Community Resources performs a murder mystery, January 2007 (photo by Pam McDowell Saylor). ACT's Matt Fernandez directs Hope Community Resources theatre projects.

Joe King as Lucien, Dale Van Sandt as Norman, Daniel Unruh as Arnold, and Julie Voss as Sheila in 'The Boys Next Door', a collaborative production by the Mountain View Theatre Project and ACT (photo by Pam McDowell Saylor). Joe King leads and directs for the Mountain View Theatre Project.

ACT receives the Hope Community Building Award, September 2006. From left: Bob Pond, Pam McDowell Saylor, Paul Wilcox, Ron Holmstrom (ACT); Wanda Moore (Hope Community Resources)

• Challenge Alaska, Inc. - Welcoming Challenge clients to participate in productions, volunteer activities, and mentorships.
• Hope Community Resources, Inc. - Offering theatre education and play direction to Hope's drama club and Camp Cara.
• The Storytellers' Guild of Anchorage
• Anchorage Senior Activity Center - Offering theatre education and play direction for the Off Your Rocker Drama Club.
• Bridge Builders - Providing stage management and sound production services for "Meet the World" event on Feb. 25, 2006 at the Anchorage Museum of History and Art.
• Mountain View Theatre Project
- Collaborating on play productions with a developing theatre group in Mountain View (first play was 'Jacob Marley's Christmas Carol', Dec 13-30, 2006).

ACT Theatre Mentorships are learning contracts between someone experienced in a particular theatre-related skill (e.g. directing, acting, stage managing, lighting design, lighting crew, sound design, sound crew, set design/painting/building, costume design and sewing, etc.) and someone who wants to learn more about that skill set. ACT Theatre Mentorships are woven into Main Stage productions and Sunday Showcases, so that these programs are also part of our Education and Outreach Program. By teaching new people theatre-related skills, we are constantly expanding and improving the community of experienced theatre participants in Anchorage.

• The Wizard of Oz: stage management
• Ladyhouse Blues:lighting operation
• Jacob Marley's Christmas Carol (second stage with Mountain View Theatre Project): lighting operation, sound operation

• The Lion in Winter: Light Operation, Sound Operation
• ACT's House of Christmas: Stage Managing, Light Operation, Shadow Backstage Mentorship for a Challenge Alaska client
• Anne of Green Gables: Light Operation, Sound Operation, Light Operation for Challenge Alaska client
• Death of a Salesman: Light Operation, Sound Operation, Directing (2 apprentices)

Linda Benson

Anchorage Senior Activity Center

Thursdays at 1:00 pm

Call ASAC at 258-7823 to verify that the club is meeting on any given week — there are breaks for holidays, etc.

• Acting Workshop for Adults with Nancy Pearson
• Set Painting with Eric Brown
• Theatre Lighting Design with Scott Baker
• Theater Lighting Operation with Scott Baker