When A.C.T. of CT (A Contemporary Theatre of Connecticut) opened its doors in 2018 with a sold-out run of Mamma Mia!, it signaled more than the arrival of a new theater—it marked the beginning of a bold new chapter in Ridgefield’s cultural landscape.
While Ridgefield Playhouse has long drawn diverse audiences for acclaimed one-night concerts and events, and Ridgefield Theater Barn has remained a cherished home for local community performers, A.C.T. of CT filled a distinct and vital role in the arts ecosystem: a professional Actors’ Equity theater dedicated to producing Broadway-caliber musicals with fully realized productions and extended runs.
In doing so, A.C.T. didn’t compete with Ridgefield’s existing institutions. Rather, it completed the picture, adding a dynamic, professional cornerstone to an already vibrant arts community.
“The goal was to continue to elevate the arts in our community by bringing Broadway-caliber talent and productions to town, while also fostering a sense of ownership and pride,” says Daniel C. Levine, Co-Founder and Artistic Director. “We wanted Ridgefield residents to feel proud to call A.C.T. their hometown theater, and to see it as something that truly belongs to them.”
Nearly eight years later, on the heels of an extended run of Disney’s Frozen and ahead of the May 14 premiere of Dear Evan Hansen, that early investment feels resoundingly reciprocal. A.C.T. of CT continues to reinvest in the Ridgefield community and beyond through robust outreach and inclusive programming designed to ensure that live theater is not merely observed—but truly experienced.
“I never want audiences to feel like they’re just watching a performance from a distance,” Levine says. “The goal is for them to feel fully inside the experience; connected to the story and the artists telling it. That’s why we designed the theater the way we did. Its intimacy isn’t accidental; it creates a kind of immersive experience.”
Immersing itself in the Ridgefield community underpins everything A.C.T. of CT stands for. At the heart of the organization’s mission is the theater’s First ACT! Program, a comprehensive initiative grounded in the belief that theater fosters empathy, sparks creative thinking, and creates space for meaningful dialogue.
First ACT! encompasses scholarships, apprenticeships, sensory-friendly performances, and the very important Audience Access program—all designed to remove financial and social barriers for participation, ensuring that both aspiring artists and audiences can experience and engage with live theater in meaningful ways.
“Scholarships to our programs are available to anyone who needs them,” says Erin Craig, Producing Director. “We don’t turn students away for financial reasons.”
Among the programs the theater is most proud of are its Sensory-Friendly performances. For most mainstage productions, A.C.T. of CT offers a modified performance specifically designed for patrons with sensory sensitivities.
Levine explains that before launching the initiative, the team consulted with industry experts and accessibility specialists to ensure the proper accommodations were thoughtfully and responsibly implemented. The production itself remains artistically intact, but key technical elements are carefully modified: lighting levels are softened, strobe and sudden effects are eliminated, sound levels are moderated, and the overall environment is relaxed so attendees are free to move, vocalize, or step in and out of the auditorium as needed.
Following the performance, the cast welcomes guests for an inclusive meet-and-greet, extending the experience in a warm and supportive way.
Organizations such as SPHERE, Ability Beyond, and Ridgefield Special Olympics regularly attend these performances, alongside many individual families who have made them a cherished part of their theatergoing experience. The response has been so enthusiastic that the theater plans to expand its number of sensory-friendly performances next season, further strengthening its commitment to accessibility and inclusion.
“These performances are entirely free to the community they serve,” Levine says. “Even when funding is tight, we remain committed to offering them. We believe deeply that everyone deserves access to live theater.”
Also central to First ACT! is the Audience Access program. Through this initiative, A.C.T. of CT provides complimentary tickets—and in some cases transportation—to students, individuals, families, and community organizations from traditionally underserved schools and communities who might not otherwise have the opportunity to experience live theater.
“Families who have never set foot in a theater before. Students discovering live performance for the first time. Community groups who might not otherwise see themselves reflected in these seats,” Craig says. “These tickets are intentionally set aside for those who wouldn’t otherwise have the opportunity—because access to the arts shouldn’t be a privilege. It should be a possibility.”
The goal is not simply attendance, but meaningful engagement. Participating groups are invited to post-show conversations and Q&A sessions with theater leadership, creating space for dialogue and a deeper understanding of the themes explored on stage.
“Sometimes the barrier isn’t just financial,” Levine adds. “It’s the feeling that a space wasn’t designed with you in mind—that you’re stepping into something that doesn’t quite belong to you. We’re intentional about breaking down that perception. Every person who walks through our doors—regardless of ability, background, race, ethnicity, gender, or economic circumstance—should feel not only welcomed, but fully seen. This theater belongs to them.”
Community collaboration is woven into A.C.T. of CT’s DNA. The theater has partnered with organizations such as Horizons at Norwalk Community College, Ridgefield A Better Chance, and the Dominican Cultural Center, building relationships that extend well beyond the stage.
That spirit is especially evident in the work of Levine, who regularly donates his time and expertise as a way of giving back through his craft. For a recent gala benefitting SPHERE—whose mission is to enrich and enhance the lives of adults with disabilities—Levine collaborated directly with members to create an original production. The group rehearsed weekly at A.C.T. for months in preparation for their big night.
Lori Beresford, SPHERE’s President and Board Chair, saw the performance as an important way to reengage members and bring them back into the spotlight after an extended time away during the pandemic.
“Dan brought out something truly remarkable in each performer,” Beresford tells us. “His direction gave our members the confidence to shine, and the result was a performance filled with joy, talent, and heart.”
For Levine, the experience was just as meaningful.
“This was the best!” Levine recalls. “The SPHERE members felt like professional performers. The pride and ownership they took in that show was extraordinary.”
Levine has also used his storytelling to amplify other missions, writing an original theatrical work for Jane Doe No More to help bring greater visibility to the organization’s advocacy and survivor support efforts—reinforcing his belief that theater can be both artful and a force for meaningful community impact.
Educational outreach is equally integral for A.C.T. Last season, two daytime performances of Fiddler on the Roof were reserved for all Ridgefield fifth grade classes. The theater even created study guides for teachers that helped students engage thoughtfully with the weighty subject matter beforehand.
“Theater is an incredible educational tool,” Levine says. “It’s a powerful way to teach students—especially with a show like Fiddler on the Roof. When students are properly prepared, it not only deepens their understanding of the material, but also fosters empathy and meaningful conversations that extend far beyond the classroom.”
This year, similar initiatives accompanied Disney’s Frozen, and the theater is collaborating with community leaders and groups around Dear Evan Hansen.
For another production that tackled difficult themes, Nickel Mines, A.C.T. hosted community talkbacks featuring therapists and nonprofit leaders, creating space for audiences to process the powerful content that they had witnessed on stage. Similar conversations are planned for Dear Evan Hansen.
Beyond the mainstage, A.C.T. of CT offers year-round conservatory training, a youth choir, and a Summer Stars Showcase. Each program is designed not simply to teach technique, but to give students the experience of performing.
Led by Choral Director Deborah Penn, the A.C.T. of CT Youth Choir welcomes singers in grades 2–9, and instructs participants in vocal technique, choral music reading skills, and the art of singing in harmony across a range of musical genres. For the first time this spring, the youth choir will perform in multiple community locations throughout Ridgefield.
“This is part of our ongoing effort to find new local partnerships and share the talents of our young performers throughout the community,” Craig tells us.
The Summer Stars Showcase brings students in grades 2–7 together for an immersive two-week rehearsal process culminating in a fully staged musical. Students learn foundational musical theater skills—from vocal technique to choreography and improvisation—while also engaging in workshops and theater games.
For older students (grades 8–12), A.C.T. of CT’s Summer Teen Conservatory offers a multi-week musical theater intensive culminating in a staged production on the mainstage, complete with full lighting, sound, and technical elements.
“We see these programs as investments in the future of theater,” Levine says. “We’re investing in the next generation of artists—future performers, designers, directors, and audience members.”
That investment has already come full circle. Twelve year old Ellie Wanicur, a former Summer Stars Showcase participant, was cast as Young Elsa in A.C.T. of CT’s production of Frozen.
“Ever since performing in the Summer Stars Showcase in 2021, A.C.T. of CT has become a home for me,” says Ellie. “Every time I walk into the theater for a rehearsal or a show, I feel like myself. Everyone is so nice and understands the theater world. The summer programs are so much fun and I learned so much from being in that program. And now, being able to play Young Elsa in Frozen—it’s a dream come true!”
Today, A.C.T. of CT collaborates with fellow nonprofits and arts leaders to promote Ridgefield not simply as a town with cultural offerings, but as a cultural destination.
“We’re a nonprofit, too,” Craig notes. “We understand what it takes to sustain this work.”
These community-driven initiatives, along with their Broadway-caliber productions, reflect a fundamental principle of A.C.T. of CT: live theater should be experienced by everyone.
“At its core, this isn’t just about producing shows,” Levine says. “It’s about opening doors. The real investment happens after the curtain falls—when a student leaves inspired, when a family who once felt excluded feels genuinely welcomed, when conversations continue in the lobby and beyond, and when a community begins to see the theater as its own. That’s the impact. Our responsibility is to make sure that opportunity exists for everyone—not just a select few.”
A.C.T. of Connecticut is located at 36 Old Quarry Road. Please visit actofct.org to purchase tickets, learn more about programs, or make a donation. And follow @ACTofCT on social media to see photos and updates from their latest productions.