Theater Group ACT II Credits Its Success to Volunteers, Community

The St. Peters community theater group ACT II was started in 1993. What many may not know is that it was started by a group of parents whose children were involved in the Young People's Theater.

“We came up with this crazy notion that we could pull off doing a show, and it would be fun,” said Jessie Resimius, former ACT II president and current board member.

Fast-forward 18 years and more than 70 productions later, and ACT II has grown into a community theater group comprised entirely of volunteers.

“Being a not-for-profit, all-volunteer community theater group we owe all of our success to the dedicated volunteers who over the years have contributed thousands of hours of their time to make us a success,” current president Bill Fix said.

Throughout the years the theater group has moved twice. In 2001, the group moved to the Community and Arts Center on St. Peters Howell Road from its original location at the Community Arts Center on Venture Drive and Mexico Road. In January of this, year the group moved to its present location at the Performing Arts Center located inside St. Peters City Hall. Thanks to their bigger location, the actors are now performing in a 318-seat theater.

The team of performers credits its many successes with past and present volunteers, but also with the overall support the community has shown.

“We are completely funded by ticket sales, advertising sales, business donations and individual donors,” Fix said of the theater group. “… We receive no assistance from state or local organizations. We contribute back to the community through the fees that we pay for the use of the facility.”

The company performs four shows a year with six performances of each show. ACT II hosts many different types of shows.

“We perform a variety of shows with an emphasis on comedy,” Fix said. “… We have done musicals and have scheduled a musical Nunsense for November of this year.”

Fix said auditions are four times a year, approximately two months before the opening of a show. All are welcome to try out, and anyone who has an interest in theater is encouraged to audition. ACT II welcomes volunteers who would like to help offstage as well as onstage. Fix said the shows typically are a mix of newcomers and ACT II regulars.

“We are a diverse group comprised of experienced theater people and people who want to learn about community theater,” Fix said.

The cast has been selected for the next production, Southern Hospitality, which opens July 29. Rehearsals for the show began June 5.