About | BDACT
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About

About BDACT

Connect, Create, and Transform Together!

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

BDACT Fine Arts Center Building

Our Staff

Meet the individuals who drive the success of our theatre. Our dedicated staff ensures the seamless operation of every show, our board of directors provides invaluable guidance, and our passionate volunteers bring their energy and commitment to every production.

Leadership

Board of Directors

  • Emily Shier - President
  • Kevin Carnine - Vice President
  • Jessica Lefeber - Secretary
  • Chris Connaughty - Treasurer
  • Larry Bartruff
  • Jena Berg
  • Enda O. Breadon
  • John Dobbratz
  • Brad Friedl
  • Dan Landsness
  • Thea O'Conner
  • Ricardo Ramirez
  • Yanilees Sostre
  • Aubrey Lehman - Student Member
  • Kennedy Tempast - Student Member

Volunteer Groups

  • Marketing Team Coordinator

    • Kim Doyle
  • Marketing Coordinator

    • Emily Schroeder Orvik
  • Marketing Assistant

    • Aubrey Lehman
  • Graphic Designer

    • Laura Congdon
  • Creative Content

    • Deb Meyer
  • Videographer

    • Mike Neumeier
  • Editor

    • Jena Berg
  • Volunteer Patron Staff

    • Jena Berg
  • Volunteer Box Office Administrators

    • Mary Kahler
    • Ellen Sushak
  • Volunteer Building Team

    • Kim Doyle *
    • Patrick Lutz
    • Phil Miller
    • Ricardo Ramirez
  • Volunteer Costume Team

    • Mary Kahler *
    • Laural Connolly
    • Deanna Disch
    • Rudy Gaytan
    • Lois Levenhagen
    • Sandi Muenchow
    • Elaine Mullin
    • Natalyn Nelson
    • Jeanne Quincey
  • Volunteer Props Team

    • Carla Woebbeking *
    • Harv Woebbeking *
    • Amy Friedl
    • Roni Harper
    • Christina Frake
    • Sara Schrauth
    • Ann Taurick
  • Volunteer Tech. Team

    • Tom Scholz *
    • August Shier
    • Austin White
  • Volunteer Makeup Chair

    • Kristie Lunde
  • Selection Committee

    • David Alan Smith *
    • Kevin Carnine
    • Kim Doyle
    • Mary Kahler
    • Annette Kamps
    • Dan Landsness
    • Mark D. Lefeber
    • Natalyn Nelson
    • Judy Pearce
    • Emily Shier
    • Ron Wilkie

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

  • Seating capacity to 180

  • Banquet tables available

  • Seating risers available

  • Raised stage available

Stage

  • 1,980 Sq Ft multi-purpose flexible performance space

Lighting

  • LED ETC lighting system available

  • TF1 sound system w/ Dante connections available

  • Projector available if requested

Audio

  • Sound system available

Video

  • Video projection available

Piano

  • Piano available upon request

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People shopping sewing supplies in Encore Hall
People socializing in BDACT Encore Hall

Seating

  • 334 total seats

  • 310 fixed auditorium seats

  • 15 wheelchair spaces

  • Premium folding chairs

Stage

  • 1,200 sq. ft. stage with main curtain & traveler

  • Stage right and left wings

  • 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

  • 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, and box office.

View of the stage in the Kamps Auditorium at the BDACT Fine Arts Center
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Seating

  • Folding chairs

  • Risers available

Room

  • 700 Sq Ft classroom & meeting room

  • Chalkboard

Video

  • Projector available if requested

A meeting in the loft at BDACT
A children's class meeting in the loft
A children's class meeting in the loft.

Seating

  • Folding chairs and tables available

Room

  • 700 Sq Ft classroom & dance studio

  • Mirrored walls

  • Chalkboard

Video

  • Projector available if requested

The studio mirrors at BDACT
Practicing in the studio at BDACT

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

1970

7th season

The Subject Was Roses

16th Production spring

Directed by: Don Pfaff

The Music Man

17th Production summer

Directed by: David Martin

Cactus Flower

18th Production fall

Directed by: Marge Johnson

1971

8th season

The Glass Menagerie

19th Production spring

Directed by: Jim Laird

Fiddler On The Roof

20th Production summer

Directed by: Annette Kamps

A Thousand Clowns

21st Production fall

Directed by: Dick Watson

1972

9th season

You're A Good Man Charlie Brown

22nd Production spring

Directed by: Melitta Quinlan

Oliver

23rd Production summer

Directed by: Jeff Johnson

Wait Until Dark

24th Production fall

Directed by: Jim Laird

1973

10th season

The Wizard Of Oz

25th Production spring

Directed by: Melitta Quinlan

Mame

26th Production summer

Directed by: Annette Kamps

Star Spangled Girl

27th Production fall

Directed by: Dick Watson

1974

11th season

Our Town

28th Production spring

Directed by: Jim Laird

Hello, Dolly

19th Production summer

Directed by: Dick Watson

My Three Angels

30th Production fall

Directed by: Jim Laird

1975

12th season

Life With Father

31st Production spring

Directed by: Mark Kirst

Man of Lamancha

32nd Production summer

Directed by: Al Phillips

Amahl and the Night Visitors

33rd Production fall

Directed by: Dick Watson

1976

13th season

The Prisoner of Second Avenue

34th Production spring

Directed by: Carmen Hanson

My Fair Lady

35th Production summer

Directed by: Doug Klitzke

The Effect of Gamma Rays on Man In-Moon Marigolds

36th Production fall

Directed by: Jim Laird

1977

14th season

Godspell

37th Production spring

Directed by: Dick Watson

1776

38th Production summer

Directed by: Melitta Quinlan

God's Favorite

39th Production fall

Directed by: Carolyn Buss

1978

15th season

Only an Orphan Girl

40th Production spring

Directed by: Jim Laird & David Proctor

Camelot

41st Production summer

Directed by: Maria Berge

A Christmas Carol

42nd Production fall

Directed by: Jim Laird

1979

16th season

The Diary of Anne Frank

43rd Production spring

Directed by: Annette Kamps

Applause

44th Production summer

Directed by: Doug Klitzke

I Do, I Do

45th Production fall

Directed by: Dick Watson

1980

17th season

Plaza Suite

46th Production spring

Directed by: Marilyn VanHaren, Roni Harper Miller, Jeff Rehberg

West Side Story

47th Production summer

Directed by: Lee Schmitt

Play It Again Sam

48th Production fall

Directed by: John Auten

1981

18th season

The Mousetrap

49th Production spring

Directed by: Jim Laird

Oklahoma

50th Production summer

Directed by: Annette Kamps

The Good Doctor

51st Production fall

Directed by: John Auten

1982

19th season

The Count Will Rise Again

52nd Production spring

Directed by: John Auten

Pippin

53rd Production summer

Directed by: Doug Klitzke

The Sunshine Boys

54th Production fall

Directed by: John Auten

1983

20th season

Blithe Spirit

55th Production spring

Directed by: Michael James

South Pacific

56th Production summer

Directed by: Diane Lutz

Celebrate 20 Years: BDCT Magic

Production

Directed by: Annette Kamps

Da

57th Production fall

Directed by: John Auten

1984

21st season

Working

58th Production spring

Directed by: Roni Harper Miller

Gypsy

59th Production summer

Directed by: Doug Klitzke

The Gin Game

60th Production fall

Directed by: Gwendolyn Gillen

1985

22nd season

Backstage On Spring St

61st Production spring

Directed by: Kim Nordbeck

Guys & Dolls

62nd Production summer

Directed by: Diane Lutz

Ten Little Indians

63rd Production fall

Directed by: Karen Koenig

1986

23rd season

The Fantasticks

64th Production spring

Directed by: John Auten

Bye, Bye, Birdie

65th Production summer

Directed by: Jay Keil

Arsenic and Old Lace

66th Production fall

Directed by: Kim Doyle

1987

24th season

Crimes Of The Heart

67th Production spring

Directed by: John Auten

Anything Goes

68th Production summer

Directed by: Doug Klitzke

Alone Together

69th Production fall

Directed by: Larry Edwards

1988

25th season

The Foreigner

70th Production spring

Directed by: John Auten

A Funny Thing Happened...

71st Production summer

Directed by: Diane Lutz

On Gold Pond

72nd Production fall

Directed by: Kay Stellpflug

1989

25th season

Godspell

73rd Production spring

Directed by: Lee Schmitt

Annie

74th Production summer

Directed by: Lee Schmitt

Little Shop of Horrors

75th Production summer

Directed by: Larry Edwards

1990

27th season

Morning’s At Seven

76th Production spring

Directed by: John Auten

Carousel

77th Production summer

Directed by: Earl Ritter

Steel Magnolias

78th Production fall

Directed by: Larry Edwards

1991

28th season

Let’s Murder Marsha

79th Production spring

Directed by: Kim Doyle

Do You Remember?

80th Production summer

Directed by: Annette Kamps, Tina Swain, Judy Bell-Hein, Roni Harper Miller

Run for your Wife

81st Production fall

Directed by: Larry Edwards

1992

29th season

Nunsense

82nd Production spring

Directed by: Tina Swain

1940 Radio Hour

83rd Production summer

Directed by: Diane Lutz

Rainmaker

84th Production fall

Directed by: John Auten

1993

30th season

The Nerd

85th Production spring

Directed by: Ed Lachendro

Oliver

86th Production summer

Directed by: Earl Ritter

Lend Me a Tenor

87th Production fall

Directed by: John Auten

1994

31st season

Black Friday

88th Production spring

Directed by: Diane Lutz

Pirates of Penzance

89th Production summer

Directed by: Kim Doyle

Rumors

90th Production fall

Directed by: Jim McMillan

1995

32nd season

Dial M for Murder

91st Production spring

Directed by: Diane Lutz

Joseph and the Amazing Dreamcoat

92nd Production summer

Directed by: Annette Kamps

Out Of Order

93rd Production fall

Directed by: John Auten

1996

33rd season

The Odd Couple (Female Version)

94th Production spring

Directed by: Marcia Newman

West Side Story

95th Production summer

Directed by: Earl Ritter

Breaking Legs

96th Production fall

Directed by: Jim McMillan

1997

34th season

Bus Stop

97th Production

Directed by: Diane Lutz

Any Color You Like...

98th Production summer

Directed by: Annette Kamps

Suite Hearts

99th Production fall

Directed by: Sheri Born

1998

35th season

Angel Street

100th Production spring

Directed by: Carla Gallun

King & I

101st Production summer

Directed by: Earl Ritter

Talley's Folley

102nd Production fall

Directed by: Chris Jansen

1999

36th season

Sylvia

103rd Production spring

Directed by: John Auten

Working

104th Production spring

Directed by: Chris Jansen

Forever Plaid

105th Production fall

Directed by: Earl Ritter

2000

37th season

Two By Two

106th Production spring

Directed by: John Auten

Seven Brides for Seven Brothers

107th Production summer

Directed by: Earl Ritter & Vera Kalata

Harvey

108th Production fall

Directed by: Jim Laird

2001

38th season

Nunsense

109th Production summer

Directed by: Tina Swain

Sound of Music

110th Production summer

Directed by: Kim Doyle

Death Trap

111th Production fall

Directed by: Carla Gallun

2002

39th season

Over the River

112th Production spring

Directed by: Vera Kalata

Fiddler on the Roof

113th Production summer

Directed by: Earl Ritter

Importance of Being Earnest

114th Production fall

Directed by: Carla Gallun

2003

40th season

Social Security

115th Production spring

Directed by: Tina Swain

Grease

116th Production summer

Directed by: Jim McMillan

Only

117th Production fall

Directed by: Ralph Wiedenhoeft

2004

41st season

Encore!

118th Production spring

Directed by: Earl Ritter

The Music Man

119th Production summer

Directed by: Donn Gasner

Diary of Anne Frank

120th Production fall

Directed by: Dan Bell

2005

42nd season

Dracula

121st Production spring

Directed by: Tony Slez

Oklahoma

122nd Production summer

Directed by: Nancy Bump

Over the Tavern

123rd Production fall

Directed by: Diane Rabehl

2006

43rd season

The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie

124th Production spring

Directed by: Tony Slez

Footloose

125th Production summer

Directed by: Ricardo Ramirez

Cotton Patch Gospel

126th Production fall

Directed by: John Auten

2007

44th season

The Foreigner

127th Production spring

Directed by: PhyllisLeonard

Singing in the Rain

128th Production summer

Directed by: Kim Doyle

Spitfire Grill

129th Production spring

Directed by: Sheri Born

2008

45th season

Don't Hug Me

130th Production spring

Directed by: Jim McMillan

A Chorus Line

131st Production summer

Directed by: Jay Wilkins

Moon Over Buffalo

132nd Production fall

Directed by: Carla Gallum

2009

46th season

Triangle

133rd Production spring

Directed by: Diane Lutz

Peter Pan

134th Production summer

Directed by: Bryce Muenchow

Don't Hug Me Christmas Carol

135th Production fall

Directed by: Jim McMillan

2010

47th season

Wait Until Dark

136th Production spring

Directed by: Kim Doyle

Carousel

137th Production summer

Directed by: Earl Ritter

Cemetery Club

138th Production fall

Directed by: Tina Swain

2011

48th season

The Fantasticks

139th Production spring

Directed by: Ryan Madala-Klug

Thoroughly Modern Millie

140th Production summer

Directed by: Kimberly Orr

Noises Off

141st Production fall

Directed by: Christopher Hughes

Best Christmas Pageant Ever

142nd Production winter

Directed by: Sheri Born

2012

49th season

Arsenic and Old Lace

143rd Production spring

Directed by: Kim Doyle

The Wedding Singer

144th Production summer

Directed by: Brian Tuel

The Dixie Swim Club

145th Production fall

Directed by: Diane Rabehl

The Trial of Ebenezer Scrooge

146th Production winter

Directed by: Ron Wilkie

2013

50th season

Next to Normal

147th Production spring

Directed by: Jay Wilkins

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat

148th Production summer

Directed by: Ryan Madala-Klug

A Don't Hug Me County Fair

149th Production fall

Directed by: Jim McMillan

2014

51st season

Roots and Wings: A Golden Tribute

150th Production spring

Directed by: Annette Kamps

The Wizard of Oz

151st Production summer

Directed by: Ricardo Ramirez

Leaving Iowa

152nd Production fall

Directed by: Brian Reilly & Ron Wilkie

A Fairy Tale Christmas

153rd Production winter

Directed by: Heidi Freeby

2015

52nd season

Cheeseheads the Musical

154th Production spring

Directed by: Ron Wilkie

Man of La Mancha

155th Production summer

Directed by: Rich Zeman

The Fox on the Fairway

156th Production fall

Directed by: Tina Swain

2016

52nd season

The Hightower Detective Agency

157th Production winter

Directed by: Ron Wilkie & Diane Rabehl

The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee

158th Production spring

Directed by: Jennifer Bohlig

Guys and Dolls

159th Production summer

Directed by: Diane Lutz

Town Hall Tonight

Production

Directed by: Annette Kamps

Godspell

160th Production fall

Directed by: Ryan Madala-Klug

2017

53rd season

Always a Bridesmaid

161st Production spring

Directed by: Diane Rabehl

The Odd Couple

162nd Production spring

Directed by: Trevor Kastein

Into The Woods

163rd Production summer

Directed by: Ryan Madala-Klug

Lombardi

164th Production fall

Directed by: Ricardo Ramirez

2018

54th season

Nanna's Naughty Knickers

165th Production spring

Directed by: Diane Rabehl

Anything Goes

166th Production summer

Directed by: Diane Lutz

You're a Good Man Charlie Brown

167th Production fall

Directed by: Carla Woebbeking

2019

55th season

Always Patsy Cline

168th Production spring

Directed by: Ryan Madala-Klug

Neil Simons Rumors

169th Production summer

Directed by: Alec Parsons

A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum

170th Production fall

Directed by: Ryan Madala-Klug

Annie

171st Production fall

Directed by: Rick Ramirez

Laramie Project

172nd Production fall

Directed by: Rich Zeman

2020

56th season

Title of Show

Stage 2 Production spring

Directed by: Ryan Klug

The Show Must Go Online

Virtual - Tell-A-Tale Production summer

Directed by: Judy Pearce & Andy Estervig

Jungle Book

Youth Drama Camp Production summer

Directed by: Mark Lefeber

One Voice Children’s Chorus

Production

Directed by: Judy Hefron & Darby Hintz

Tomorrow

BDACT Virtual Mashup Production

Directed by: Created by Mylana Lunde

Copper Box & Madpolecates

Fire & Ice Concert Series Production

Directed by: Horicon Phoenix

Tallymore & Ian Gould

Fire & Ice Concert Series Production

Directed by: Horicon Phoenix

Father Knows Best

Readers Theatre Virtual Production

Directed by: Annette Kamps

The Bear

Readers Theatre Virtual Production

Directed by: Carla Woebbeking

Ever Young One-Act Play Comedy Trilogy

Readers Theatre Virtual Production

Directed by: Annette Kamps

His Return One-Act Play Comedy Trilogy

Readers Theatre Virtual Production

Directed by: Roni Harper

Yesterday One-Act Play Comedy Trilogy

Readers Theatre Virtual Production

Directed by: Jeff Rehberg

Stage Fright—The Search for BDACT’s Heartbeat

Virtual Production

Directed by: Ricardo Ramirez, Jean Pilsbury, Stacy Krueger, Laura Congdon

Holiday Harmony—A Musical Gift to Share

Virtual Production

Directed by: Ricardo Ramirez, Jean Pilsbury, Stacy Krueger, Laura Congdon

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

    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

View BDACT's 2025 Season here!