ACE History

Summary

Actors Cabaret of Eugene (ACE) is Eugene’s premiere community theater company. Presenting theater on an ongoing basis for over 32 years, ACE emphasizes broad-based community participation in theater through opportunities in performance, technical production, educational programming for youth and enjoyment and enrichment for audience patrons.   Presenting 8-12 productions annually in its two theaters, ACE has produced more than 29 World Premieres, mostly from local writers; a dozen West Coast Premieres; and almost 100 Oregon or Northwest Premieres.  ACE has captured the eye and ear of the New York theater community leading to on-going joint ventures with producers and writers.                         

Organizational History

Actors Cabaret of Eugene (ACE), a nonprofit organization, has been an integral part of theater in Eugene since 1979.  During the past thirty-two years, ACE has produced over 390 different plays and musicals, brought audiences the premieres of more than two dozen new shows, and played a leadership role in the education of theater artists and technicians of all ages and backgrounds.  We have also not only survived for thirty-two years, but have continued to expand our audience both in size and diversity. The theatre was given the Register-Guard’s prestigious award from the community as being “The Most Talented Theatre Company” in Eugene for two years in a row and came in second this year to the Bijou Theatre!  Our entire staff and actors provide a cultural enrichment that enhances and entertains the community.

Many of our Academy students have gone on to professional careers in musical theater and technical theater all over the United States.  They are also working, designing for and contributing to their own community theaters all over the country.  We pride ourselves in producing many shows that many consider to be impossible to produce.  We are one of the few organizations in the arts that survive on ticket sales and local donors’ desire to see quality musical theater.

With our New York Connections Series, we have been able to take two shows produced here at Actors Cabaret to their Off-Broadway debuts in New York City and brought authors and producers from New York to Eugene to see the work and quality of performers that are present here in our city.  Those same two shows along with one other musical are having their European debuts this year in Germany & Scandinavia.  PRETTY FACES will be playing a limited engagement in May starring H.H. Prince Mario-Max zu Schaumburg-Lippe of Germany.  We will also have his parents and the German producer of the show here for the opening.  One of our most recent New York works was the World Premiere of TELL ME (currently called ON A GLORIOUS DAY), a new Broadway bound musical which was brought to us by the New York producers.  We were able to work with the New York based director, composer, lyricist and book writer for four weeks.  Working with our cast to help develop the show for its New York Broadway premiere, which is scheduled for next year.

Another great happening was the premiere of BLUE’S CLUES LIVE! THE MOST SPECTACULAR PLACE from Nickelodeon.  We not only had the top representatives of Nickelodeon’s Live Performance Division here, but the President and CEO of Theatrical Rights Worldwide, the newest theatrical leasing agency in New York, here for the opening of the first ever production by a theater company in the U.S.   All gave us glowing reviews and hope to work with us again.  Theatrical Rights gave us the Northwest Premieres of ALL SHOOK UP, a newly released musical from Broadway (which was closing its National Tour just as we opened in Eugene!)  and a production of the Kander & Ebb musical, CURTAINS, which was still touring.

Theatrical Rights is co-producing the World Premiere of CHANGING MINDS with us here this summer.  The authors, Bret Simmons and David Howard, are from Los Angeles and will be here for three weeks working with us on fine-tuning the show.  It will then have a National Tour during the next year, hopefully with many of the same cast.  Theatrical Rights will be inviting producers and Tour operators from London, Toronto and all across the US to the Premiere.

Actors Cabaret of Eugene/Mainstage Theatre Company provides a vehicle for local actors, musicians and technicians to study and work at their chosen craft as a profession or an avocation.  The mission of ACE is twofold:  (1) providing experiential education for performers, and technicians; and (2) providing a quality theatrical experience for everyone involved, including the audience. 

With the help of our board and advisory board, a professional fund raising consultant (as a volunteer for ACE) is working and directing our philanthropic goals to help sustain the organization.