Mission:

Act Two Performing Arts is a youth focused theatre company dedicated to the exploration, development and implementation of performance art in the greater Washington D.C. metropolitan area. Act Two believes in the "grassroots" approach to exploring the process of technique development, team based artistic creation, and the empowerment of youth through performance opportunities. This focus enables us to support our area’s youth to develop their team building, communication, and artistic skills while creating a sense of positive self image, and accomplishment. Our mission calls to focus what Act Two calls the "Three E's" approach: education, empowerment, and enjoyment!

Act Two Performing Arts is a 501(C)(3) not-for-profit, tax-exempt, educational organization that does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, ethnic or national group, gender, or disability.

Our Educational Philosophy:

At Act Two, the goal of our educational programming is to provide our students with the technique, discipline, and skills necessary to build their confidence and self-esteem while developing as artists.  Our programs focus on developing the students' understanding and enjoyment of the creative process, leading to a fuller appreciation of their resulting artistic accomplishments. Throughout the year at Act Two, we have three main areas of focus: mainstage productions; performance ensembles; classes and private instruction. All are uniquely designed to foster the total artist within each student.

History:

In September 2005, Act Two opened its doors as the newest youth theatre organization in the greater Washington, D.C., area. Located in Gaithersburg, the studio also serves many students from Germantown, Olney, Silver Spring, Rockville, Washington, Bethesda, and Potomac. In addition to nurturing and training students in musical theatre, Act Two provides nonperformance opportunities for high school and college students through its Theatre Apprentice Program and nonmusical performance opportunities by producing dramatic and comedic plays. In fall 2007, the company staged William Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream with dialect and speech support from the Shakespeare Theatre Company of Washington.

Each season, Act Two produces musicals and a play for students in grades 3 – 12, including the summer spotlight, which features students returning to the area from college. For additional information, see Mainstage.

Act Two’s performing ensembles can be spotted throughout the year in various community venues. For additional information, see Ensembles.

All Mainstage performances are at the Olney Theatre Center.

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