About Us

Our History:

In 1999, an arts-loving Flower Mound resident took up the standard to create The Flower Mound Children's Theatre. Performing in the town's only community venue, Samuel Lusk Amphitheatre, this little group brought to Flower Mound such productions as The Emperor and the Nightingale and The Wind in the Willows.

Sound and lighting were difficult with the lack of proper electrical wiring, the weather didn't always cooperate, and the dirt and splinters were sometimes too much to bear. But the group persevered and was well received by the citizens of the community.

A great deal has happened since those first outdoor musicals. Performance and rehearsal space in Flower Mound became difficult to locate as the original Lusk fell into disrepair, so the determined group made the best use of any space available. Yet the true world of the theatre kept nagging at the original creator who wanted the children to have the whole theatrical experience that could result from a real stage production.

For its 2004 season, the group, now restructured as The Actors Conservatory Theatre, made its way to its new home, The Family Life Center of the First United Methodist Church in Lewisville -- not yet a true theatre, but with a real stage.

Here, they improved and refined their resources as they continued the tradition of great children's shows with great sets, theatrical lighting and sound, along with the ever-wonderful costumes and makeup that have been the reputation of this children's theatre.

For its 2007 season, The ACT moved into its new home, the Crawford Center for the Arts, in space so generously donated by longtime local arts advocates, R.L. and Brenda Crawford. Their first production of the season, "Bremen Town Musicians", opened to a full house, and the warmth only a children's theatre can bring.

Now into its eleventh year, and the fourth year at the Crawford Center for the Arts, The ACT just added to its repertoire of original musicals based on classic literature for children by including the famous Broadway classic, "The King and I" by Rodgers and Hammerstein for its Tenth Annual Children's Summer Musical. If you missed it, you missed the finest in local theatre.  Our team of volunteers did an outstanding job with every aspect of this show, from costuming, to sets.

The ACT is unique in that it is a volunteer driven organization, dedicated to bringing classic literature to young minds through plays and musicals.  And, it operates all year round, producing quality programming for children of all ages, by children and for children.  Adult actors and actresses can be seen supporting these young actors on occasion and add to the overall educational process created for each show.

Every actor or actress who auditions receives a role and learns about the theatre, how to act, sing and dance, and the art of stage production.  But at The ACT, children also learn about the author, the time period covered by adapted piece of literature and the geography, giving them a well rounded educational experience. 

No experience is necessary and children as young as 3 can take part during the summer, while those as young as kindergarten can be included during the school year.  All children are welcome no matter what their race, creed, nationalitiy, or physical challenges!  Many children get their start in theatre through The ACT and as they grow, new and exciting theatre adventures await them through the High School Company, which includes all those 13 and above.

Organized this last spring to give teens the ability to develop their own programming, these talented teens write, produce and direct their own shows for our community. They hold open auditions annually each spring, seeking out new members. Come join this talented group of teens.

New for this school year will be the new performing troupe, "In the Wings" or Wings for short.  This group will include pre-teens 10-13 and will also hold open auditions annually to add to its numbers.  They will organize this spring.

Through generous donations by The Flower Mound Rotary ($3000) and Target($1000) we will once again tour three Title One Elementary Schools this year. Arrangements are being made now and those schools and dates will be announced shortly.

Come joins us and Get Into The ACT!  As a volunteer organization, we need your help and support! 

Curently on our wish list are:

The certified work of a licensed Electrician
Sheetrock work
Sanding and Flooring Work
Lumber and materials for a back temporary wall
Acoustical ceiling work
A new rug
A laminating machine
Any flat latex paint donations
Rollars, brushes and tarps
Raffle items for our raffles held at each and every performance
Costume materials such as trim, braiding, ribbon, etc.
    (Costume donations for all materials are always greatly appreciated!)

Your time as one of our volunteers is needed, too!  Currently, our production team needs a full time Box Office Chair, a Hospitality Chair, and Cast Party Chair. We will miss all the wonderful volunteering done by the Stenberg family as they move to Kaufman.  Vanesa was/is our Box Office Chair.  We will also be looking for a new Treasurer as our existing Board Treasurer/CPA Roxanna Krawczynski steps down after two years of service.  Thank you for all you have done, Roxanna!

We thank all of you in advance for your future support and all of our many fantastic volunteers who have made it all possible.  Thank you so much for all your love and support over these past ten years!  We could not have done it without you!

                                         Miss Joe Ann Brooks
                                         Original Founder of the Children's Theatre
        
                          THE ACTORS CONSERVATORY THEATRE'S
                                                   BOARD  of DIRECTORS 
                                                               for  2009 - 2010
Chairman of the Board - Joe Ann Brooks
President - Pat Woodfin
Vice President of Marketing - Mark Wainscott
Vice President of Pulbic Relations/Community Development - Ray Kimbrell
Vice President of Fundraising - Beth Buse
Secretary - Christine Donaldson
Treasurer - Roxanna Krawczynski  (Position Opens April 2010)
Members-at-Large:
   Amy Yakubovsky (Position Opens April 2010)
   Angela Senter
   Lesa Bledsoe
                                On Going Production Committee
Artistic Director/General Production Manager - Joe Ann Brooks
Technical Director - Frank Bender
Stage Manager - Angela Senter
Director of House Operations - Lesa Bledsoe
Costume Mistress - Phyllis Bender
Set Designer - Nancy Kimbrell
Master Set Builder - Ray Kimbrell
Make Up Coordinator - Christine Donaldson
Concessions Chair - Mark Wainscott with Pat Woodfin
Program Coordinator - Roxanna Krawczynski
Volunteer Coordinator - Sabrina Harrison
Box Office Chair - Vanesa Stenberg (Position Opens April 2010)
Hospitality/Cast Party Chair - Open

The ACT is sponsored in part with grants from:
The City of Lewisville ($14,330),
The Town of Flower Mound ($1,600),
The Flower Mound Rotary ($3,000), and
Target Stores ($1,000).