Acme Theatre Company

Reviewed by the Sacramento Region Community Foundation

$25,621 raised by 117 donors

99% complete

$26,000 Goal

Acme Theatre Company is an independent theatre group for ninth through twelfth grade artists. Founded in 1980 by Davis High School teacher David Burmester and a group of motivated students, Acme has been passed down through generations of youth and adult mentors for over 40 years. The company is now operated under the artistic direction of Acme alumna Emily Henderson in cooperation with a youth leadership team of current company members, and supported by an adult board of alumni, parents, and community members. Acme's mission is to present plays of high literary quality while providing opportunities for young people to learn acting and technical theatre skills and, above all, accountability, responsibility, and teamwork.

Acme produces three mainstage productions and several smaller shows and events each year. In addition, every summer, Acme's youth members organize and teach a series of drama classes for approximately 75 K-8 thespians. In Acme's summer drama classes, K-8 actors and technicians are exposed to all aspects of theatre creation and have an introduction to the kind of responsibility and accountability that Acme productions demand.

Acme's youth membership takes the lead in all of the company's theatrical operations, with as-needed mentorship from a small cadre of adults. This mandate for youth leadership is what gives Acme its unique value. Teens who participate in Acme don't just act, or design and create technical elements: they work toward a common goal and learn accountability to themselves and each other. The success of every production is entirely up to the young people themselves.

For over 40 years, Acme has provided hands-on training in theatrical and life skills for youth in and around Davis. This program has always been available at absolutely no cost to company participants. Acme is financially sustained through ticket sales, fees paid for the K-8 drama camp, individual donations, fundraiser events, corporate sponsorships, and grant funding.

Giving Activity

Mission

Acme Theatre Company's mission is to present plays of high literary quality while providing opportunities for young people to learn acting and technical theatre skills through peer and adult mentorship in an environment of mutual trust, respect, and responsibility. We value learning through doing - Acme Theater Company is run by ninth through twelfth-grade members, with mentorship provided by a small cadre of adults.

Needs

Acme seeks funding to allow our theatrical productions and youth-led learning to continue!

Acme seeks adult volunteers with skills in fundraising.

Acme seeks board members who have skills in the areas of fund raising, financial and risk management, and policy development and, MOST IMPORTANT OF ALL, a passionate commitment to Acme's core value of youth leading all aspects of theatre production.

We are seeking permanent storage space!

We appreciate donations of: working power tools and sewing machines, costumes, and copy paper.

Organization Data

Summary

Organization name

Acme Theatre Company

Year Established

1980

Tax id (EIN)

31-1613404

Mission Category

Arts, Culture & Humanities

Operating Budget

$100,001-$250,000

Organization Need

Funding: Unrestricted, Volunteers, Board Members, Space: Office or Other, In-Kind Donations

Demographics Served

Youth & Children

Local Counties Served

Yolo

Address

PO Box 159
Davis, CA 95617

Service areas

Davis, CA, US

Yolo County, CA, US