History of ACTT Shows
2023: once & for all
With ACTT thriving two strong years post-covid, having raised $50,000 since then, Natalie McAtee (Director) knew that 2023 needed to leave a memorable mark. After accumulating the perfect leadership team - Maren Burns (Asst. Director), Liam Billhartz (Creative Director), Paige Cuddihee (Asst. Creative Director), Avery Smith (Production Manager), Izzy Schiebel (Ambassador & Choreographer), Trixie Kholenburger (Choreographer), Lexi Lloyd (Social Media Manager), as well as dance captains and costume managers - Natalie was ready to plan this year’s production of Once and For All. With the theme in mind, the leadership team’s goal was to help JDRF in “Finding A Cure, Once and For All”; that’s exactly what they did raising $29,000 for Type One Diabetes research! This musical revue featured songs from Grease, The Phantom of the Opera, High School Musical, and the audience was left dancing in their seats with the unforgettable Act II Opener: “Backstage Romance” from Moulin Rouge. Some audience members were brought to tears with moving changed lyrics to “Hello!” from Book of Mormon and “Once and For All” from Newsies. ACTT’s legacy was forever changed August 4th-6th, 2023 at De Smet Jesuit High School.
VIDEO COMING SOON!
2022: Don’t Stop Believin’
After last year’s in-person come back, ACTT knew that this year was a crucial time to step up and put on a meaningful production. The title “Don’t Stop Believin’” is more than a groundbreaking hit song by Journey, adapted in the Tony Award Nominated musical Rock of Ages. It’s a message to “hold onto that feelin’” that one day Type One can become Type None. ACTT joined together like never before to voice the importance of JDRF and struggles of having T1D, with help of Kate Bloemke (Creative Director & Ambassador), in the opening number “I Believe” from The Book of Mormon. This show was off to a powerful start with Kate’s rewritten lyrics that came from the heart. Other musicals featured in ACTT’s 18th Annual Musical Revue were The Greatest Showman, Legally Blonde, Spongebob: The Musical, Grease, & Newsies. With the help of Arch City Kids astonishing Leadership Team—Gracie Maurer (director), Natalie McAtee (asst. director), Kate Bloemke (creative director), Ella Drake (choreographer), Brea Johnson (music director), Molly Myerscough (production manager), Maren Burns (publicist), Trixie Kohlenberger (asst. choreographer), Paige Cuddihee (asst. creative director)—magic was created on Ladue High School’s stage, early August 2022. Don’t Stop Believin’ raised $25,000 for JDRF.
2021: Something About this night
Coming back from our virtual year, ACTT rallied to create a successful show that featured almost forty students from across the St. Louis area. The show’s namesake was a song that seemed to fit the situation perfectly, with lines like “I am so proud of what we’ve created, after all of the time we have waited,” helping to fully express the feelings of the cast members as many of them returned to the stage for the first time since the beginning of the pandemic. The musical revue was comprised of a large spectrum of shows, from The Sound of Music, to 13, We are the Tigers, and Into the Woods. The show also called the Reim Theater in Kirkwood it’s home for the first time, and hosted a wildly successful Congratulation Station and Experiential Raffle Baskets in the lobby. The show’s dedicated leadership team was comprised of Kendall Allen (Director), Ally Kalishman (Asst. Director), Lily Kinnison (Music Director), Audrey Scherr (Choreographer), Anna De Marco (Creative Director), Mimi Brown (Production Manager), Molly Higgins (Publicity Manager), Bella Leonard (Asst. Creative Director), Brea Johnson (Asst. Music Director), Gracie Maurer (Asst. Production Manager), Lydia Wiley (Costume Manager), Ella Drake, and Natalie McAtee (Asst. Choreographers). Returning with an unparalleled vigor, ACTT’s 17th revue Something About this Night was a safe and triumphant return to the stage, and raised $25,000 dollars for JDRF.
2020: I got You
Like many other things in 2020, ACTT recognized the circumstances presented to us by COVID-19 and took it as an opportunity to adapt. The show shifted to a virtual format and was presented in an hour-long video that featured over eight songs, which were practiced both independently by cast members and in socially-distanced rehearsal settings. The performers filmed themselves from the safety of their own homes, but the video showcased a resounding and unified chorus. Embodying the essence of the tried-and-true phrase “the show must go on,” ACTT’s 2020 revue I Got You was a true testament to the creativity and passion of the organization, and, even in the absence of the auction, raised nearly $12,000 for JDRF.
2019: Be Our Guest
The 15th annual show, Be Our Guest, was a true success and invited audience members to “sit back, relax, and enjoy the show!” Celebrating the 15-year milestone of ACTT, the show featured the song “Journey to the Past” from the award-winning musical Anastasia as its first act closer and highlighted several incredible alumni, such as Taylor Louderman and the creator of ACTT, Helen Rapp-Nightingale. Directed by Jennifer Goldberg, the show featured songs from Dogfight, Fame!, Finding Neverland, and Godspell, and numbers from past productions were also revived, such as “Forget About the Boy,” “Nicest Kids in Town,” and “Elegance.” Once again making John Burroughs our home for two weeks, the program was coordinated by an incredible leadership team comprised of Charlie B. Southern (Assistant Director), Lauren Goldberg (Creative Director), Mary Hayes (Production Manager), Brooke Westcott (Choreographer), Lily Kinnison (Music Director), Ally Kalishman (Social Media Manager), Kendall Allen (Assistant Creative Director), Natalie Scherr (Assistant Production Manager), and Abby Moehlman, Audrey Scherr, and Emily Gregg (Assistant Choreographers). It was amazing to see how much ACTT has grown in the past 15 years!
2018: On MY Way
The 14th annual show On My Way was inspired by the hit number from the musical Violet. The title was chosen to represent how ACTT is on their way to finding a cure for T1D, a cause we raised $28,013 for just this year. The show featured songs from The Greatest Showman, Mamma Mia, Mean Girls, Chorus Line, Dear Evan Hansen, The Wiz, and so many more. We returned to John Burroughs for our performances, led by the talented Marissa Pineda (Director) along with Jennifer Goldberg, (Production Manager) Lauren Goldberg, (Creative Director) Thomas Schartner, (Creative Director) Isabella Koster, (Creative Director) Lily Kinnison, (Music Director) Mary Hayes, (Publicity Manager) Charlie B. Southern, (Technical Director) Brooke Westcott, (Choreographer) and Ally Kalishman (Costume and Props Manager). Yet another successful and fun year!
2017: You will be found
The 13th annual show, You Will Be Found was inspired by the hit Broadway musical, Dear Evan Hansen. The title number, chosen as a pledge to help find a cure for T1D, was especially moving, featuring video from ACTT founder Helen Rapp Nightingale, past directors Sally Lemkemeier and Madeline Mauzy and past cast members Spencer Milford, Mary Chamberlain and Claire Lord. This outstanding production also featured songs from Something Rotten, Newsies, Bring It On, Grease, Mamma Mia, A Chorus Line, Chicago and many more. The show returned to John Burroughs School on the first weekend in August. Cara Palombo again served as director and was assisted by Marissa Pineda (Creative Director), Charlie B. Southern (Technical Director), Cara Westcott (Choreographer), Jennifer Goldberg (Production Manager), Brooke Westcott (Assistant Choreographer), Julia Riew (Musical Director), Lauren Goldberg (Costume and Props Manager) and Isabella Koster (Social Media Manager). $27,000 was given to JDRF as a result of this show!
2016: The Story of Tonight
The 12th annual show, The Story of Tonight was inspired by the hit Broadway musical, Hamilton! The show was again held at John Burroughs School with nearly a full house for each of the three performances. Cara Palombo served as director and was assisted by Hope Keeley, Madi Cupp-Enyard and Michael Schimmele as musical director. $27,000 was given to JDRF as a result of this show!
2015: Live in Living Color
ACTT's 11th annual show, Live In Living Color, was held at John Burroughs School with a cast of 48 kids. The show was directed by Alex Bush and Cara Palombo, music directed by Luke Baralle, and choreographed by Madi Cupp-Enyard, Olivia Prosser, and Abigail Isom. Live In Living Color featured songs from Grease, Hairspray, Little Shop of Horrors and many more. This show was our biggest success yet, as it raised over $30,000 for JDRF!
2014: Raise You Up
Raise You Up was ACTT's 10th annual revue and raised $30,000 for JDRF! Held at John Burroughs School, the show featured songs from Singing in the Rain, Thoroughly Modern Millie, and Frozen. This was the first show to be directed by ACTT veteran Madeline Mauzy. To commemorate the 10th anniversary, twenty ACTT alumni returned to perform a song together!
2013: The Bright Side of Life
The ninth annual show, The Bright Side of Life, was Sally Lemkemeier's final show as director. It was held at Missouri Baptist University.
2012: Our Time!
ACTT's eighth annual musical revue, Our Time, was held at Nerinx Hall with a cast of 36 kids. Our Time focused on JDRF's Artificial Pancreas research project and raised more than $27,000!
2011: Bring on Tomorrow!
Bring on Tomorrow, ACTT's seventh annual show was directed by Sally Lemkemeier. It was held at Nerinx Hall with a cast of 37 kids from 20 schools. Musical director Alex Prakken and choreographers Jack Ciapciak, Monica Macheca, Helen Rapp and Julia Sinks made it a show to remember. Bring on Tomorrow raised over $25,000 for the Artificial Pancreas research project.
2010: Ain't Life Fine
Helen Rapp's final show as director, Ain't Life Fine, celebrated the appreciation of life. Performed at COCA, the show brought together 35 cast members from more than 25 St. Louis area schools. In three performances, ACTT's sixth annual show raised $25,000, putting ACTT's total fundraising at $100,000.
2009: Why We Tell the Story
2008: Magic to Do
Held at MICDS, Magic to Do, the fourth annual show, organized thematically around the magic found in everyday life (the magic of growing up, of family, of love) featured a larger cast and a new technical director, Josh Bromberg. ACTT's raised over $21,000 in proceeds to JDRF.
2007: Heart and Music
ACTT was lucky to be able to move its performance space to MICDS after filling the house twice in the 2006 show. With the help of Anthony Chivetta, Chris Franklin, and Carly Lowe, ACTT was able to produce its biggest show yet. The third annual show raised $16,500 for JDRF, doubling the previous year's profits for a second time in a row!
2006: Lullaby of Broadway
Pleased with the results of the first show, director Helen Rapp decided to stick fairly close to the previous model. Lullaby of Broadway was organized with 19 cast members. The cast shocked to find themselves performing before two overflowing houses both nights at Rossman, and even more surprised by the total funds raised for JDRF that totaled $8,000.
2005: Dancing Through Life
Helen Rapp founded Arch City Theater Troupe in 2005 after her brother Turner was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. Determined to find a way to help make a difference, Helen decided to put on a show to raise funds and awareness for JDRF (Juvenile Diabetes Research Fund). After several months of rehearsing songs in the Rapp's playroom, Helen and 13 of her friends, took ACTT from an idea to a reality. Rossman School provided the theater and the show was set for late August. Helen's goal for Dancing Through Life was to raise $1000 for JDRF. The show raised over $4000 in two nights!