OUR MISSION STATEMENT
ACT I, Inc. is a non-profit youth theatre company that strives to provide a safe, encouraging environment that fosters opportunities and education in the performing arts to children, teenagers, and young adults in and around Bartow County.

OUR HISTORY
ACT I, Inc. was formed in the fall of 2002 with the intentions of providing an affordable means for the youth of Cartersville, Georgia to participate in community theatre. Over the years, we have striven to provide a safe place for our actors to grow and learn while taking part in a variety of opportunities to expand their knowledge of the performing arts. Within the past few years in particular, we have grown in such a way that our students have begun taking active roles in the entire organization as a whole. We offer opportunities to participate in set design, construction, costuming, painting, advertising, props, lighting, sound, stage managing, and even directing. We strive to foster a family environment that is supportive and positive. We reach out to our actors to encourage not only a sense of pride in our organization, but also in themselves.

ACT I officially serves students from the ages of 12-20 years old. However, as the years have passed, we've seen that many of our veterans decide to stick around even after they've passed that mark. These individuals have become leaders and role models in our organization -- some have taken on actual leadership roles while others have continued to perform in productions and lead as cast members. In an effort to continue growing, we also often reach a bit younger for certain shows to bring in some new faces. We've found that training some of these younger individuals early really gives them a chance to grow with us. We exist under the belief that we should offer as many opportunities to those who seek them as we can, given that the performing arts rely so much on experience and growth. Our goal is to send actors out into the community who are well-rounded and trained in a variety of areas according to their interests. Additionally, we strive to send young adults into the community who are confident and prepared to work hard to achieve their goals, while maintaining a positive outlook.

ADDING THE ACADEMY
In 2021, Resident Choreographer and ACT I board member Christina Weinzetl created the idea for the Academy with the goal of creating an organization that was more than just a dance studio; she hoped to establish a place that would help create well-rounded performers in as many disciplines and techniques as possible.