About BDACT
Beaver Dam Area Community Theatre (BDACT) serves the community with quality live entertainment and theatre education.
BDACT Mission
Vision
Connect, Create, and Transform Together!
Mission
Serve the community with enriching and inspirational performing arts. Create an inclusive environment of engaged volunteers with hands-on learning and opportunities on and off stage. Utilize the BDACT Fine Arts Center to foster goals of education, connections, and quality entertainment.
Values
Education, Diversity, Inclusion, Growth, Creativity, Sustainability, Excellence
Leadership
Our Dedicated Team
Meet the individuals who drive the success of our theatre. Our board members provide invaluable guidance, while our management staff ensures the seamless operation of every show.
If you are intersted in becoming a board member or part of our management staff. Please contact us.
Our Facilities
After nearly two years of construction, the Beaver Dam Area Community Theatre (BDACT) opened the $3 million BDACT Fine Arts Center in 2019 to better support the performing arts and art education. The facility, remodeled from an elementary school, features a variety of amenities to provide accessibility for audiences and performers.
Seating
- 310 fixed auditorium seats
- 8 wheelchair spaces
- 27 Premium folding chairs
Stage
- 1,200 Sq Ft stage with main curtain & traveler
- Stage right and left winigs
- Orchestra pit
- Stage risers available
- ADA accessible stage
Staff Amenities
- Scene shop
- Green room
- Makeup room
- Private bathrooms
Video
- Main Projector (Vivitek DU8o9oZ)
- Resolution - 1920 x 1200
- Aspect - 16:10
- Throw - 1.73-2.27:1
- Above Stage Projector (Optoma)
- Resolution - 1920 x 1200
- Aspect - 16:10
- Throw - 0.79:1
Lighting
- LED ETC Lighting System featuring:
- ColorSource Spots - 28
- ColorSource PARs - 26
- ColorSource CYCS - 6
- Artfox Hybrid LED Movers - 12
- Artfox K19 Movers - 5
Audio
- Yamaha TF5 Sound Board
- Compatible with both Wireless and Wired Handheld Microphones
- Clear Com Encore Communication System to communicate between the:
- Booth
- Backstage
- Pit
- Box Office
Production History
1964
1st season
harvey
1st Production (summer)
Directed by: Chuck Helfert
1965
2nd season
arsenic and old lace
2nd Production (spring)
Directed by: Annette Kamps
south pacific
3rd Production (summer)
Directed by: David Proctor
1966
3rd season
all my sons
4th Production (spring)
Directed by: Annette Kamps
the sound of music
5th Production (summer)
Directed by: Ann Cothran
never too late
6th Production (fall)
Directed by: Pat Thiesenhusen
1967
4th season
the gazebo
7th Production (spring)
Directed by: Marilyn VanHaren
bye, bye, birdie
8th Production (summer)
Directed by: Annette Kamps
kind lady
9th Production (fall)
Directed by: Tom Wells
1968
5th season
barefoot in the park
10th Production (spring)
Directed by: Louie Warnecke
the pajama game
11th Production (summer)
Directed by: Marilyn VanHaren
the fantasticks
12th Production (fall)
Directed by: Louie Warnecke
1969
6th season
the odd couple
13th Production (spring)
Directed by: Marge Johnson
the king & i
14th Production (summer)
Directed by: Annette Kamps
mary, mary
15th Production (fall)
Directed by: Louie Warnecke
BDACT Milestones
1964
First production, “Harvey,” rehearsed at Girl Scout House, performed at local Wisconsin movie theatre (then a singular theatre). Incorporation of Beaver Dam Community Theatre.
1965
Two shows: “Arsenic and Old Lace,” and first musical, “South Pacific,” performed at the Wisconsin theatre; rehearsals above *”One-Hour Martinizing,” on Front Street, in a warehouse on N. Center, and in a grocery store basement on S. Spring.
1966
Three show season established: fall and spring shows, plus a summer musical.
1967
St. John’s Lutheran Church, corner of Lincoln and Maple, purchased and renovated as BDCT’s workshop and rehearsal building. Performances continued at movie theatre.
1974
Tell-A-Tale Children's Theatre originated.
1981
In addition to its two “in-school” shows for children, TAT season increased its number of summer shows — one by grade school children and one by Jr/Sr High students. BDCT established the “spotlight,” in show programs, giving special recognition to long-term BDCT supporters.
1982
Tell-A-Tale Council established.
1983
In its twentieth season, BDCT purchased the former Baptist Church on the corner of Spring and Third Streets.
1984/85
TAT conducted a pilot drama class as part of the Beaver Dam Junior High School curriculum.
1985
Major community fund drive conducted to support the building improvements needed to transform the church into a workable theatre. Tell-A-Tale expanded its 'in-school' program beyond Beaver Dam, touring to other area schools. BDCT 'On Call traveling entertainment troupe established. STAGE II concept introduced for alternative, experimental, and small budget programs.BOWS AND HOLLY holiday variety show, now a tradition, initiated.
1989
25th anniversary year-long celebration.
1991
BDCT presented “Do You Remember,” celebrating Beaver Dam’s Sesquicentennial. (First production in the new Beaver Dam High School auditorium; the main season summer musicals continue to be presented in the auditorium.)
1997
BDCT premiered a full-scale original musical, “Any Color You Like As Long As It’s Black.”
1998
To emphasize area participation and support, BDCT became Beaver Dam AREA Community Theatre.
2000
Replacement of church pews with 219 real theatre seats.
2002
BDACT employed a half time Managing Director.
2004
TAT celebrates its 30th Anniversary and BDACT celebrates its 40th Anniversary Year with many shows and programs, including STAGE II “Roots and Wings” concerts showcasing its “alums.”
2014
BDACT’s 50th anniversary celebration brought back many performers who had grown up with this community theatre and continued on to perform professionally.