Student Services
Magnet Schools

ACT (Arts at the Capitol Theater)
A magnet school for students in grades 9-12 with an interest in or talent for performing arts

ACT Application 2007-2008

A performing arts magnet high school opened in the fall of 2003. Areas of study include dance, performance, theater production, audio/video production and creative writing. The program includes scene design and construction, lighting and sound, costume design and puppetry. Actors, directors and writers can be involved in live or video performances. Enrolled students may earn up to 3 high school credits by attending ACT.

Benefits: 

• Participation in a range of performing arts genres, both onstage and behind the scenes

• Students form new relationships with students from across the region

• Opportunities for students to give back to local communities and sending high schools and to satisfy community service requirements

• Performance and apprenticeship opportunities

• New venues are available for creative expression

• Students get instruction from and exposure to working artists

• Preparation for continued studies in performing arts-related education

Contact Person: John Mayer
EASTCONN ACT
896 Main Street, Willimantic, CT  06226
860-465-5636;  FAX: 860-465-8115
Voice Mail: 860-455-0029, box 4307
jmayer@eastconn.org

Let our stars shine. Please consider a contribution to the ACT Scholarship Fund.
ACT Scholarship Fund

The Capitol Theater is located in downtown Willimantic. Built in 1925, the Theater has been closed for almost 30 years. Because of the racial and ethnic diversity of the local community, the Theater was ideally positioned for consideration as a magnet school site. According to David Calchera, former EASTCONN Executive Director, "magnet schools are created to further state goals of racial, ethnic and economic diversity. They are characterized by diverse population, specific theme, and commitment to high achievement." EASTCONN was subsequently approved for a construction grant that provided 100% reimbursement for the renovation project.

Working in collaboration with an Advisory Group consisting of school administrators, teachers, working artists, university personnel and community members, the focus of the program took shape. According to Calchera, "In the end, the interplay between the program we desired, the history of the structure as a performing arts venue and the nature of the space available led us to focus on the performing arts." He continued, "By this we mean expression that occurs on a stage as well as the skills necessary to support that expression."

ACT is a half-time school for students in grades 9-12 with an interest in or talent for performing arts. Students spend the other half of their day at their regular home school. The school opened in the Fall of 2003.

Principal John Mayer, a 22-year veteran educator and international performer is a graduate of the Puppetry Arts Program at the University of Connecticut. He has been recognized for both his artistry as well as his teaching. Mayer was the recipient of the National Institute of Puppetry Award while at UCONN and was selected by the Connecticut Reading Association to receive the Outstanding Reading Specialist Award in 2000. "I've always used mime and puppetry to dramatize scenes from books to get students more interested about reading and it's an absolute joy to see the results when they respond."