For the past 12 years, the nonprofit Act Out Theatre has created a home for theater enthusiasts for youth of all backgrounds with its tuition-free shows, workshops and mentorships. Now, the organization is planting its roots in Signal Hill, with their first permanent rehearsal space to call their own.
The 70 plus students in any given Act Out Theatre show would often travel to whatever school or organization was gracious enough to lend their space for shows and rehearsals. Rehearsals and shows have travelled between Hoover, Hamilton and Hughes middle schools, a North Long Beach church and even Compton City College.
Travis Wade, founder and executive director of Act Out Theatre, said that as the nonprofit grew in size, scope and ambition, they continued to outgrow each temporary space. While the nonprofit used to primarily serve youth, it’s now become a unique hybrid youth and community theater, with over 400 participants each year. They’ve also been slowly increasing the number of productions they put on each year, with a record five shows slated for the 2025 season.
“One of the things people always say is that Act Out is their home away from home, they say, ‘This is where people get me, this is where I can be myself,’” Wade said. “To now have our own space where we can paint the walls whatever color we want, where we can hang our pictures and posters from old shows and where we can reflect and see where we come from, that helps foster that culture and strengthen that culture that we already have.”
For the several hundred people involved with Act Out Theatre, the move also means no more driving to and from storage for costumes and equipment, no longer being at the whim of other people’s schedules and being able to expand their presence in the community through events. Act Out Theatre started hosting free art workshops last summer, and they hope to host more now that they have a space to do so.
The Signal Hill warehouse also has several offices, a classroom space, storage for set pieces, equipment and costumes and of course, a rehearsal space. Final productions of shows will still be hosted either at Compton College or Hamilton Middle School, Wade said.
“It’s a big turning point for us. It feels nice when you can make that leap and continue on that trajectory,” Wade said. “We can have more rehearsals, we can have potlucks, these are small things you would never even think of, but they make such a big difference.”
Wade already has his sights on the next goal: a permanent theater space for shows. In the meantime, Act Out Theatre is planning for the 2025 season, its largest yet.
Act Out has already announced its 2025 season, with productions such as “West Side Story” in the spring, “Little Women” and “Les Miserables” in concert in the summer, and “Fantastic Mr. Fox” and “Annie” in the fall. Audition information will be available on their website www.actoutlb.com.
Their last show of the 2024 season, “Matilda” is wrapping up this weekend, with performances on Dec. 13 and 14 at 7 p.m. and on Dec. 15 at 2 p.m. at the Hamilton Middle School auditorium. Tickets are $15 and can be purchased online.