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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

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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.

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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
Featured

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.

BDACT Video Vault