Butterflies

I’m going to address an aspect of life here at the Beaver Dam Area Community Theatre, and the BDACT Fine Arts Center. It may seem like something simple on the surface, but the ramifications of what it means are rather important.

There are two distinct titles in the preceding paragraph.  The first is Beaver Dam Area Community Theatre. You’ll notice we are the “Beaver Dam AREA Community Theater.”  That means our theatrical community expands far beyond Beaver Dam.  We have directors, writers, performers, crew members, and audiences from a very wide range past the city limits. As a true community theater, most of what is accomplished here is driven by volunteers, with the help of some paid staff. 

Many community theaters perform comedies, dramas, and classic musical shows, and the occasional original plays written by local community members. (That sounds like a description of our upcoming 2025 theatrical season!)  Another characteristic of community theater is the inclusive and supportive atmosphere.  People can learn new things, share what they know, and develop self-esteem and friendships. That definitely describes us.

Now onto the second title in that paragraph.  The BDACT Fine Arts Center. That title refers to a specific place where many things relating to the arts happen.  Yes, you will find community theater here.  Also classes in acting and singing.  Then there’s professional national touring group performances.  Don’t forget improv and stand-up comedy, Concerts by local bands. Community meetings and building rentals for family events and businesses. Even a local Big Band rehearses and performs here.

BDACT began as a community theater company.  Housed in a small building on Lincoln Avenue where sets could be built and stored, and rehearsals could take place.  Performances had to be somewhere else because there was no room for an audience. I remember those days. Then, after many years, the organization grew enough to purchase a building on Spring Street, where sets, rehearsals, and audiences could all fit.  That was nice, but space was limited, and as the community grew, and the company gained more popularity and participation, the number of performances had to be increased for each show, just to get everyone who wanted to see the show a seat!  

Then came an ambitious and important step…to build a Fine Arts Center.  This goal was reached due to the generosity of many community members who pitched in and donated the time, talents, resources and financial requirements to make it happen. The West Maple Avenue location is a marvelous place!  Many more people have been able to participate.  Many new experiences have been created to share with the community.  People who appreciate different aspects of the arts have found a comfortable and exciting home.  Even people who aren’t that interested in “plays” are able to come here and enjoy a really great performance.  

There have been adjustments. No longer an organization who oversees a half dozen live theater performances per season, the number and variety of those shows has increased.  All the “other” things that happen at the Fine Arts Center have been added.  Building space has to be shared, as well as volunteers, budgets, staff focus, and resources.

I’ve taken a good long look at our Mission Statement, our Vision Statement, and the list of Values we adhere to.  You want to know something amazing?  The word “Theater” isn’t even in there.  You know what IS in there?  Words like connect, create, enriching, inspirational, inclusive, hands-on learning, opportunities, education, diversity, and excellence, among many others. (Go to our website, www.bdact.org, and click the ABOUT US tab.)

Beaver Dam Area Community Theater is a community theater group which also runs a Fine Arts Center.  That makes us different from most other community theaters. Our reality and our future is far larger than the delightful little community theater which began as an idea among an inspired handful of people over 60 years ago, and even beyond what long-standing BDACT participants in the ensuing decades experienced. Yet, the same principles guide us.

The caterpillar has become a butterfly.  We don’t crawl anymore, we fly.  

If you would like to join us by volunteering, performing, participating, attending a class, or simply have an idea that might help us fly even higher, please give me a call at 920-885-6891.  I’d love to hear from you.