Capital Campaign
Dear Friends,
For over 70 years, Aiken Community Theatre has been more than a stage. It’s been a space where imagination thrives, friendships are forged, and the magic of live performance brings our community together. Today, we invite you to help us turn the page to a vibrant new chapter.
Soon, the “Old Playhouse” – our cherished rehearsal and old performance space for over 30 years— will be torn down to make way for new county projects. This change means more than the loss of a building. It means losing the heart of our Youth Wing: the free workshops, lively rehearsals, and empowering performances that shape young lives.
We are launching a Capital Campaign to ensure our theatre continues to serve, inspire, and grow — not only for today’s audiences, but for generations to come.
Your support will help us:
- Establish an Aiken Community Theatre Performing Arts Education Center to nurture the creative spirit of young people in our community
- Provide a dedicated home for our Youth Wing Program, offering classes, workshops, and stage opportunities for school-aged students
- Renovate and modernize our facilities to improve safety and accessibility, Upgrade lighting, sound, and stage equipment to elevate every production
- Expand outreach and programming to engage more schools, families, and local artists
This campaign is about more than bricks and equipment – it’s about building a lasting foundation for creativity, connection, and confidence. If you’ve ever stood on our stage, applauded from our audience, or simply believed in the power of the performing arts — YOU are part of our story!
Please consider making a gift to ACT’s Capital Campaign today. Together, we’ll keep the spotlight shining and the curtains rising on countless new possibilities.
With deep appreciation,
Thurmond Whatley
Executive Director
Our Story
1952, Aiken Community Theatre (ACT) has been a place where passion for the arts comes to life—on stage and behind the scenes. Generations of volunteers, performers, and patrons have found purpose and joy by contributing their time and talent. ACT is proud to create memorable experiences not only for our audiences, but for everyone who steps through our doors.
The Early Years
Originally founded as the Aiken Community Playhouse, the organization’s earliest performances lit up venues like the Aiken Municipal Auditorium and Aiken Junior High Auditorium. By the late 1960s, growing enthusiasm highlighted the need for dedicated rehearsal and storage space. A successful fundraising campaign led to the construction of a permanent Playhouse at Virginia Acres Park, which opened in 1974—a foundational moment in our history.
A New Chapter Downtown
With Aiken’s downtown revitalization efforts in the late 1990s and early 2000s, ACT was invited to play a central role in the cultural heartbeat of the city. In 2002, the theatre relocated to its current home at the Amentum Center for the Performing Arts. This milestone marked the 50th season of the organization and ushered in a new era of growth: expanded youth and educational programming, a full-year production schedule, and a fresh identity as Aiken Community Theatre. Today, ACT is a vibrant and ever-growing cornerstone of our community’s arts scene.
What We Do Today
ACT continues to present a dynamic array of shows—from laugh-out-loud comedies and stirring dramas to show-stopping musicals. Our productions celebrate local talent and reflect the richness of our community’s stories and voices. We also remain deeply committed to youth education, offering hands-on learning and performance opportunities that build confidence and creativity.
The ACT Youth Wing
The ACT Youth Wing is a vital part of our mission. We aim to provide a wide spectrum of theatre education to as many young people as possible—all in a safe, inclusive, and high-quality environment. Our free workshops throughout the year cover foundational theatre skills like stage movement, improvisation, character development, and script analysis. More than technique, our Youth Wing fosters connection, fun, and life skills that stay with students long after the final bow.
The ACT Youth Wing
For decades, the ACT Youth Wing has stood as a creative cornerstone in our community—providing theatre education, artistic exploration, and personal growth for young people of all backgrounds. Housed in the beloved but aging “Old Playhouse,” our Youth Wing has welcomed thousands of students through free workshops that teach not just acting techniques, but life skills: teamwork, empathy, confidence, and resilience. Now, that legacy faces an urgent challenge.
The county has announced that the “Old Playhouse” will soon be shut down. Without swift action, we risk losing a safe, inclusive, and inspiring space for our youth—just when they need it most. That’s why we’re launching the ACT Capital Campaign: to build a new, permanent home where imagination, learning, and connection can thrive for generations to come.
This new space will:
- Offer year-round, cost-free theatre education to children and teens.
- Provide a welcoming venue for inclusive programming, mentorship, and collaboration.
- Serve as a hub for creativity, helping young artists find their voice, build confidence, and form lifelong friendships.
By supporting this campaign, you’re not just funding bricks and mortar—you’re investing in futures shaped by creativity, courage, and community. You’re helping raise the curtain on the next act of their lives.
Join us. Be part of the story. Help build the stage where dreams take root.
Naming Opportunities and Capital Campaign Support
As part of the theater’s capital campaign, individuals, families, organizations, and businesses may contribute through philanthropic gifts that offer naming opportunities for designated rooms and spaces within the facility. This initiative allows donors to leave a lasting imprint on the theater by sponsoring areas such as lobbies, dressing rooms, rehearsal studios, box offices, and performance venues. All naming recognitions will be subject to approval by ACT and aligned with established donor guidelines.
Ways To Give
Cash Gifts Supporters may contribute through simple and secure methods including personal checks, MasterCard or Visa, or electronic fund transfers.
Pledges Donors may choose to make a gift in installments over a period of up to five years. Pledge reminders will be sent based on your preferred schedule. Pledges may be submitted online at [ACT website].
Matching Gifts Amplify Your Impact! Many employers will match charitable gifts made by their employees. Include your company’s matching gift form with your donation. If your organization doesn’t have a matching gift program, we encourage you to suggest one—it’s a powerful way to multiply your contribution.
With your support, we can build more than just a theater—we can build a home for dreams, creativity, and lifelong connections. Join us in shaping the future of the performing arts in Aiken.
Let us celebrate your generosity with applause that lasts longer than the final bow.