About ACT

The Alabama Conference of Theatre (ACT) is a 501 (C) (3) non-profit corporation with its roots deep in Alabama history through the merger of two organizations: The Alabama Theatre League (ATL) and The Alabama Speech Communication and Theatre Association (ASCTA).

In the early ‘70s a group of university and college theatre educators formed the ATL to support and promote theatre in Alabama. In October of 1972, ATL became a non-profit corporation with the filing of its “Certificate of Incorporation.” Article II of the Certificate states the organizational goals were:

  • To improve the quality of the theatre and performing arts on all levels throughout the State of Alabama;
  • To encourage the further development of theatrical related activities;
  • To create a closer relationship between actors and persons associated with the theatre and the arts at all levels;
  • To train audiences to a greater appreciation of theatrical performances and arts related thereto;
  • To cooperate and maintain a close and beneficial relationship with individuals or organizations within or without the State of Alabama who entertain an interest similar to the purposes set out herein;
  • To do all things necessary and incident to promoting and maintaining the theatrical arts in the State of Alabama;
  • To raise funds by solicitation and by other means for the purposes of financing and carrying out the purposes of the corporation.

In 1978, a group of secondary educators formed the Alabama Speech Communications and Theatre Association (ASCTA) with a similar set of goals and a focus on secondary educational theatre.

In 1992, The two organizations merged to become the Alabama Conference of Theatre and Speech (ACTS). A few years ago, the word “Speech” was dropped from the name and today we have The Alabama Conference of Theatre: a network of theatre artists who promote, strengthen, and sustain theatre in Alabama.

Today, ACT is a premiere resource for theatre in Alabama through their five divisions: Theatre for Youth, Secondary, College/University, Community, and Professional. ACT holds theatre festivals and provides other resources to theatre artists throughout Alabama and beyond.

ANNUAL ACT AWARDS

Theatre Hall of Fame Award:  Honoring Pioneers in Alabama Theatre
1978 – Telfair B. Peet, Auburn University
1979 – Bill Ozier, Birmingham Actor’s Theatre
1980 – Walter and Willilee Trumbauer, University of Montevallo
1981 – Guy Downey, Birmingham and Marian Gallaway, University of Alabama
1984 – T. Earle Johnson, Tuscaloosa
1985 – Saunders Walker, Tuskegee
1988 – Florence Pass, Ensley High School
1989 – Irving Stern, Birmingham Jewish Community Theatre
1990 – Lois Garren, Auburn University
1992 – Hugh Moore, Jefferson County Schools
1993 – James Hatcher, Birmingham Town and Gown Theatre
1994 – Jim Rye, Birmingham Children’s Theatre
1995 – David Dye, Troy University
1996 – A. Cleveland Harrison, Auburn University
1997 – Allen Bales, University of Alabama
1998 – Newton Neely, University of Montevallo
1999 – Harold L. Hunt, Samford University
2000 – Arnold Powell, Birmingham Southern College, Birmingham Festival Theatre
2001 – Charles Harbour, University of Montevallo
2002 – R. Eugene Jackson, University of South Alabama
2003 – Bob. G. Smith, University of Mobile
2004 – Ward Haarbauer, University of Alabama, Birmingham
2005 – Randy Marsh – Alabama School of Fine Arts
2008 – Julia Matson, Birmingham Southern College
2009 – Michael P. Howley, Alabama State University
2010 – Ann M. Everett, Northeast Alabama Community College
2011 – William Shanks, Birmingham Community Theatre
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Marian Gallaway Award for Contributions to Theatre in Alabama
1977 – James Hatcher, Birmingham Town and Gown Theatre
1978 – W. T. Chichester, University of Montevallo
1979 – Arnold Powell, Birmingham Southern College
1980 – Father Anthony Zoghby, Mobile Theatre Guild
1981 – Allen Bales, University of Alabama
1984 – Dorothy Schwartz Outstanding Educator Award
1985 – Winton and Carolyn Bount, Montgomery
1988 – David Dye, Troy University
1989 – Martin Platt, Birmingham Repertory Theatre
1990 – Charles Harbour, University of Montevallo
1991 – Ward Haarbauer, University of Alabama at Birmingham
1993 – John Ross, University of Alabama
1994 – Victor Fitchner, Jefferson County Schools
1995 – Michael McKee, Mobile Theatre Guild
1996 – Newton Neely, University of Montevallo
1997 – Frank R. Trechsel, Jr., Birmingham Festival Theatre
1998 – Sandra Taylor, Hoover High School
1999 – Ed Williams, University of Alabama
2000 – Ron Harris, Lee High School Magnet
2001 – Martha Haarbauer, The Seasoned Performers
2002 – Kent Thompson, Alabama Shakespeare Festival
2003 – Carl Stewart, Terrific New Theatre
2004 – Michael P. Howley, Alabama State University
2005 – Martha P. Summey, Altamont School
2008 – Jesse Bates, Alabama School of Fine Arts
2009 – Chris Rich, Troy University
2010 – Will York, University of Alabama, Birmingham
2011 – Kristy Meanor, Wetumpka Depot Players
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Dorothy Schwartz Outstanding Educator Award
1993 – Julia Matson, Birmingham Public Schools
1994 –  Hal McIntosh, Hewitt-Trussville High School, Trussville
1995 – Laura Wilson Roberts, UMS-Wright Preparatory School, Mobile
1996 – Anita Smelley, Hillcrest High School, Tuscaloosa
1997 – Ron Harris, Lee High School, Huntsville
1999 – Vic Fichtner, Jefferson County Schools
2000 – Roy Hudson, Shades Valley High School
2001 – Suzanne Mann, Crestline Elementary School
2002 – Donnie Bryan, Bradshaw High School
2003 – Flynn Murphy, Lee High School (Montgomery)
2004 – Barton Dwayne Craft, Bob Jones High School
2005 – Jesse Bates, Alabama School of the Fine Arts
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Secondary Theater Teacher of the Year
2008 – Jesse Tilton, Spain Park High School
2009 – Connie Voight, The Randolph School
2010 – Pat Yates, Mountain Brook High School
2011 – Pat Putman, Corner High School