About Us

Photo Credit: Jeff Butchen

Our Mission

A.C.T. of CT’s mission is to elevate the level of entertainment in Fairfield County and to foster a sense of community through the arts by producing exceptional theater and encouraging an environment of inclusivity and artistic excellence.

Our Vision

A.C.T. (A Contemporary Theatre) of Connecticut is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) professional theatre located in Ridgefield, Connecticut. Founded in 2018, A.C.T. of CT has quickly established itself as a leading cultural institution in Fairfield County, elevating the region’s entertainment landscape through exceptional productions of well-known Broadway musicals. In addition to fully produced mainstage productions, A.C.T. of CT offers a diverse range of programming, including its popular Broadway Unplugged concert series and an extensive theatre education program serving students of all ages. Led by Artistic Director Daniel C. Levine and Producing Director Erin Craig, A.C.T. of CT has become one of the most highly regarded union theatres in New England. The theatre is known for its intimate, immersive environment, providing audiences with a uniquely personal theatrical experience. Its close proximity to New York City allows A.C.T. of CT to collaborate with top-tier theatre artists and professionals. A.C.T. of CT received a Grammy nomination for Best Musical Theater Album for the cast recording of its production of Stephen Schwartz’s Snapshots. The theatre has also served as the launch pad for newly licensable versions of Austen’s Pride, Stephen Schwartz’s Working, and Cameron Crowe and Tom Kitt’s Almost Famous, further solidifying its reputation as a home for both excellence and innovation in musical theatre.

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Photo from Guys and Dolls — holding newspapers — Press & Media

Our History

September 1948

Schlumberger (a Research Center) moves to Old Quarry Road in Ridgefield, CT.
October 2005

Schlumberger vacates the property and moves to Cambridge, MA. Several of the campus buildings are demolished, others remain vacant and in disrepair.
December 2012

The Town of Ridgefield purchases the land from Schlumberger.
January 2016

Daniel C. Levine, Katie Diamond, and Bryan Perri team up to create a theatre company called A.C.T. of CT. The company begins producing and presenting concert productions of Broadway musicals at The Ridgefield Playhouse.
May 2016

Levine, Diamond, and Perri meet with Ridgefield's Schlumberger Committee and express their interest in taking occupancy of the abandoned Schlumberger property.
February 2017

A town-wide vote is held to grant A.C.T. of CT the lease to the Schlumberger auditorium. The vote passes with 100% approval.
June 2017

A.C.T. of CT begins demolition and excavation, and the renovation process begins.
May 2018

Construction of the state-of-the-art theatre is completed, and A.C.T. of CT first opens its doors.
June 2018

A.C.T. of CT's first production, Mamma Mia!, opens to sold out audiences.
July 2018

A.C.T. of CT's first Summer Showcase and Conservatory Programs are held.
September 2018 - June 2019

A.C.T. of CT produces their first full mainstage season of shows and creates their Broadway Unplugged series. The productions garner critical acclaim and A.C.T. of CT is recognized as a premier regional theatre in the northeast.
September 2019 - March 2020

A.C.T. of CT's second mainstage season continues to expand audience reach and most performances are sold-out.*
*COVID-19 forces mandatory shutdown and the remainder of the season is cancelled.
March 2020

A.C.T. of CT produces a special livestream starring Stephen Schwartz (the first livestream of its kind). The livestream is viewed by 64,500 people worldwide.
July 2020

A COVID safe Summer Conservatory Program is held and filmed.
October 2020

A.C.T. of CT is the first regional theatre in the country given permission to reopen with a limited audience. The show is The Last Five Years.
February 2021

With pandemic restrictions still at play. A.C.T. of CT creates a feature film of their planned stage musical, Snapshots. The film is premieres via livestream and receives phenomenal reviews. The film is purchased by BroadwayHD for nationwide release and streaming.
May 2021

A.C.T. of CT teams up with Ridgefield Symphony Orchestra and produces and presents a concert version of Into The Woods.
September 2021 - June 2022

A.C.T. of CT's fourth season welcomes audiences back to live theatre.
December 2021

The cast album of A.C.T. of CT's Snapshots is nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album of the Year.
September 2022 - June 2023

A.C.T. of CT's 5th season is a rousing success, complete with sold out audiences and rave reviews.
June 2023

A.C.T. of CT's Artistic Director Daniel C. Levine receives the Connecticut Critics Circle Award for Best Direction of a Musical for The Secret Garden.
September 2023 - June 2024

A.C.T. of CT's 6th season opens with Sunset Boulevard.