Welcome to PLAYBILLDER Spotlight, where Playbill highlights shows from educational institutions or regional theatres and special events around the country (who have used Playbill's program-building service). By welcoming these PLAYBILLDERs center stage, we hope to give our readers a more in-depth look at theatre programs that are fostering the love of the performing arts in the next generation and the way theatre lovers are bringing Playbill along for life's big moments.

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This week's spotlight is Allen Contemporary Theatre of Allen, Texas, and their production of Disaster! The jukebox musical is a madcap homage to 1970s disaster films, complete with earthquakes, tidal waves, piranhas, and infernos (disco and otherwise). Written by Seth Rudetsky and Jack Plotnick, the show follows a group of New Yorkers who attend the opening of a floating casino and discothèque that quickly descends into disasters aplenty. Featuring the music of Diana Ross, Carly Simon, Donna Summer, and more, the show began as a benefit concert for Only Make Believe and blossomed into a Tony-nominated musical. 

Assistant Treasurer Chris Berthelot shared with Playbill how community theatres play a vital role in Allen, what got him back onstage after a 20-year hiatus, and why using PLAYBILLDER is a smart financial decision for his theatre company. 

How long you been part of this theater?
Chris Bertholet: I have been involved with Allen Contemporary Theatre (ACT) as both an actor and director since 2014. Like many theatre enthusiasts, I joined after colleagues from other theatre companies encouraged me to audition. Since 2019, I have actively served on the ACT Board of Directors, holding various positions to support the administrative and business aspects of fulfilling our mission.

What drew you to Allen Contemporary Theater?
The theater company strives to be a supportive, fun, and welcoming environment for all actors. Whether it's a return to the stage after a 20-year break, as it was in my case, or a continuation of high school theatrical work, the company fosters a sense of family and teamwork to cultivate and perform live theater. After my first experience with ACT, I knew I had found a safe, comfortable, and enjoyable place to practice my craft.

What is your theater’s mission? 
Allen's Community Theater seeks to entertain and enrich the cultural life of the community through a wide variety of challenging and creative theatrical experiences, that welcome all who wish to participate, help, or express themselves through theatre, both on and off stage.

Generally, how do you choose your shows? How did you choose this show? 
ACT relies on a volunteer committee comprising Board Members and general volunteers to curate our season shows. Typically, submissions come from individuals, sometimes directors advocating for a particular show, accompanied by a brief outlining their vision for the production, casting considerations, and thematic elements they believe align well with ACT. The decision to stage Disaster! was primarily influenced by its 1970s theme, complete with its music and exaggerated characters navigating through various calamities. The play selection committee deemed the large ensemble cast and thematic richness of the show as offering an excellent creative opportunity for the cast and a highly enjoyable experience for our audience.

What was the first community theatre production you took part in and how did that experience shape you? 
I had the opportunity to volunteer with a good friend who was running a middle school theatre program in McKinney, Texas. My stepdaughter was part of the program, which inspired me to start volunteering. Colin Wells, the theatre teacher and educator, graciously helped me develop my directing skills. Over time, I assisted him with at least 10 productions. One day, he encouraged me to get back on stage, knowing my background in high school acting and Reader’s Theater in college. I thought, why not? I’ll audition, probably won't get a part, and can continue helping with the theatre program. 

To my surprise, I was cast as one of the lead roles in Agatha Christie’s And Then There Were None. I am forever grateful to Colin, not only for the skills he taught me, but also for encouraging me to audition. Through this experience, I met two dear friends who are still an essential part of my life and theatre endeavors. Taking the stage after a 20-year hiatus was nerve-wracking, but it reminded me of how much I missed performing. Robyn Mead, the director of that show, fostered a sense of camaraderie among the cast, allowing us to bond and share countless moments of laughter during rehearsals. Her approach set a foundation for my own work in theatre as an Assistant Director and later as a Director. On a personal level, I discovered the immense value and joy of forming new friendships through theatre. Each production is filled with fantastic memories, but the friendships can last a lifetime. Since then, my theatre community has grown, and I've met many wonderful people whom I’m honored to call friends.

Can you share a little bit about the value you see in having community theatres accessible across the country?
Community theatres play a vital role in the fabric of society for several reasons. Firstly, they provide a platform for local talent to showcase their skills and creativity. This fosters a sense of community pride and identity as residents see their neighbors and friends performing on stage. Secondly, community theatres offer affordable entertainment options for people of all ages. This accessibility ensures that live theatre experiences are not limited to metropolitan areas or those who can afford expensive tickets. Community theatres often serve as hubs for social interaction and community engagement. They bring people together from diverse backgrounds who share a common interest in the arts, fostering friendships and a sense of belonging. These theatres contribute to the local economy by attracting visitors, supporting nearby businesses, and providing employment opportunities for artists, technicians, and administrative staff. 

Overall, community theatres enrich the cultural landscape, promote artistic expression, and strengthen social connections within neighborhoods and towns across the country.

How has PLAYBILLDER impacted your program as a resource? 
Although ACT is relatively new to using the PLAYBILLDER program, we're capitalizing on its user-friendly Playbill design and the scalability of PLAYBILLDER to reduce our overall printing costs. The online template feature proved significantly simpler to navigate compared to our previous printing methods. As every theatre enthusiast is aware, printing expenses represent a substantial portion of a local theatre's budget. By utilizing PLAYBILLDER's printing services, our theatre stands to save an average of $400 per show. In the realm of community theatres, $400 is a significant amount of money.

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