Theatre III is a non-profit volunteer organization dedicated to promoting the performing arts through education and high-quality, reasonably priced performances for the entertainment of the residents of surrounding communities.
In so doing, we strive to embrace the open participation of people of all ages, to share resources, to facilitate an outlet for creative expression, and to expand the knowledge of participants in all aspects of theatre arts (performance and production) in an atmosphere of friendship and camaraderie.
Since its inception, Theatre III’s objective has been to provide the finest quality performances at affordable prices. We strive to make the arts accessible to as wide a range of audiences as possible, and the company can boast of over 50 years of success in this endeavor. Numerous awards and rave reviews attest to this fact. Whether a musical, comedy, or drama, Theatre III presents them all with professionalism and panache.
Theatre III is a non-profit organization, fully operated by hard-working, dedicated (and fun-loving) volunteers. Our auditorium seats roughly between 170 and 200 patrons, depending on show configuration. Three productions are staged during each regular season – one each in fall, winter, and spring – usually including at least one major musical plus various comedies and dramas. The regular season is often augmented with special events such as holiday shows, benefit performances, children’s productions, directors’ workshops, and even murder mystery dinners.
We’re proud of Theatre III’s legacy of producing high-quality theatre very economically. We scrimp and save wherever we can. Sharp eyes may notice how a little touch of paint or a new stretch of fabric often allows us to re-use elements of sets and costumes. Of course, fundraising for a non-profit volunteer-operated organization such as Theatre III is on-going. Owning our building is both a great benefit and a huge responsibility. Anyone who has owned an old home knows maintenance and operation can be costly. Theatre III sits in a historic district, so capital improvements to the facility must fall within strict guidelines for historical accuracy. For example, the company must eventually replace very old, deteriorating windows in the auditorium, at an estimated cost of $2000 per window unit.
We depend on the generosity and philanthropy of our patrons and local businesses. You can help by becoming a sponsor, patron, active member or season ticket holder. If you’d like to help, please click on “Contact Us”.
History:
Theatre III was established in 1955 in the lovely former West Acton Universalist Church building at 250 Central Street, next to the West Acton fire house. It is Acton’s foremost and oldest community theatre.
The church occupied the building from 1868 to 1925, when it was taken over by the West Acton Women’s Club. In 1955, the Women’s Club sold the building to a new organization named the Acton Community Center. The Center sponsored various activities, including a nursery school and dog-training classes, and a fledgling drama group called The Little Theatre Workshop, founded by Bob Darling.
The Little Theatre Workshop (or LTW, as it came to be known) soon staged its first production, “The Curious Savage”; followed in the fall of 1956 by “The Tender Trap”. From then on, LTW staged three productions each year. In November, 1964, after much debate among its members, and six months of rehearsal and pre-production work, LTW staged its first musical production, “Oklahoma!” The show was so well received, that a musical quickly became a standard entry in each LTW season.
At roughly the same time, The Community Dance Theatre was formed by Marilyn Abbott to put on dance programs for children (choreographed by company members) and musical revues for adults. Soon after, a third performance group, The Acton Community Chorus, was formed, further increasing the demand for stage time for rehearsals and productions. In 1968, the Community Center board put an end to the ‘competition’ by combining the groups into a single organization, naming it Theatre III to acknowledge the three source groups.
In May, 2006, Theatre III celebrated its 50th anniversary with a special season-ending revue, entitled “Fifty Years of Favorites – A Theatre III Homecoming”. It featured musical, dance, and comedy highlights drawn from over 30 shows spanning the company’s 50 years, presented by 60 current and alumni Theatre III troupers.
The Complete History of Theatre III Productions
| 1956 - 1957 |
| The Curious Savage |
| The Tender Trap |
| High Ground |
| The White Sheep of the Family |
A Guest in the House Janus The Silver Whistle
The Princess Who Wouldn't Laugh My Three Angels
Visit to a Small Planet The Wizard of Oz An Enemy of the People
Lo and Behold A Majority of One The Princess and the Pea
Light Up the Sky The Glass Menagerie Aladdin and the Wonderful Lamp
Tonight at 8:30 Angel Street spring show cancelled to allow
group members to participate in
"Gentlemen Prefer Blondes"
for the Retarded Children's Fund
Oklahoma! The Diary of Anne Frank A Shot in the Dark
The Pleasure of His Company All My Sons Much Ado About Nothing
Carnival Laura Manikin - Minikin
Waltz of the Toreadors The Chalk Garden Red Cross
Luv name change to Theatre III Can Can
Red Shoes The Odd Couple Guys and Dolls
Barefoot in the Park Anything Goes
Cactus Flower The Pajama Game The Fantastiks
You're a Good Man Charlie Brown Blithe Spirit Wonderful Town Carnival
An Evening on the Mississippi Play It Again, Sam South Pacific Stop the World (I Want to Get Off)
Makin' Whoopee Send Me No Flowers Calamity Jane
That's Show Biz 6 Rms Riv Vu Bells Are Ringing
Another Evening on the Mississippi Irene
Arsenic and Old Lace Best of Theatre III Girl Crazy
Broadway, Bits and Pieces The Mousetrap Brigadoon
Hallelujah Hollywood You Can't Take it With You Milk and Honey
Dames at Sea Wait Until Dark Oklahoma!
The Magic Box Don't Drink the Water Anything Goes
Once Upon a Mattress Never Too Late My Fair Lady
Another Evening on the Mississippi Harvey Carnival
Li'l Abner Murdered Alive The Music Man
Break a Leg! Come Blow Your Horn Best of Broadway Seesaw
Kiss Me Kate Barefoot in the Park Bye Bye Birdie
Godspell Plaza Suite Carousel
A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum The Foreigner Chicago
Deathtrap The Odd Couple (female version) 42nd Street
Noises Off! The Curious Savage Fiddler on the Roof
The Man Who Came to Dinner The Butler Did It Gypsy Spoon River Anthology
Squabbles A Guest in the House Damn Yankees
Close Ties Alone Together Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
My Three Angels Laura Mame
The King and I Murder in Harrison County Fools I Hate Hamlet
Nunsense See How They Run Boardwalk Melody Hour Murders Rain
The Wizard of Oz Catch Me If You Can Dial 6 for Murder Rumors Dungeons and Doo - Wop
The Secret Garden Electric Bachelors The Dining Room The All Night Strut Lovers and Other Strangers
Company A View from the Bridge Godspell Anne of Green Gables
Children of Eden Only Love Arsenic and Old Lace Evening of One Acts (directors' workshop) You're a Good Man Charlie Brown
Tom Foolery The Christmas Carol Winter One Acts (directors' workshop) Picasso at the Lapin Agile
1776 Closer Than Ever Lend Me a Tenor Stepping Out Our Town
The Pajama Game Night Watch Lost in Yonkers
The Most Happy Fella Falsettos How the Other Half Loves