How it Started

The Actors Theater was formed in 1999 as an alternative theater on Orcas Island. We focus on bringing new and experienced actors together in a supportive environment. While stressing quality in all facets of our productions, we acknowledge the need to encourage new and potentially unskilled people to join us and learn the skills necessary to make our theater successful.

We are an all volunteer organization. Instructors at our various training programs are compensated for their time.

For the first several years of our existence we had no home and performed wherever we could find space at no cost. In 2002 we entered into a long term arrangement with The Orcas Island Grange #964. In lieu of a market rental rate, The Actors Theater provides maintenance of the facility. The Actors Theater pays about 80% of the operating cost of the Grange.

Since our beginning we have provided over 100 productions for the people of Orcas Island. For 25 years, we held our ticket price to $10 (with a $30 maximum per family); recently, we have been forced to increase tickets to $15 to help defray increased operating and production costs. However — as has been true since our beginning — no one is ever turned away due to inability to pay.

We look on our theater as an incubator with special programs for playwrights, directors, designers and all of the specialized skills that make people successful in the theater. To this end we regularly have training classes in the various aspects of theatrical production.

Our Board of Directors consists of eight people from all ages and walks of life. The Board is constantly looking for ways to improve the theater keeping the goal of affordable access to our productions foremost. We are currently examining several facets of our operation to make sure that we are efficient and deserve the trust and confidence of the people of Orcas Island.