Today we’d like to introduce you to Sondra Morton. Them and their team share their story with us below:
Founded by Sondra Morton, in 2002 Act Too Players opened their doors to 18 students. Today we cater to nearly 1000 families a year! Act Too Players has been Williamson County’s premiere children’s theatre program. In addition to producing top flight shows for kids ages 3-18, we also offer more specialized training in acting, dance, and vocal technique. Act too produces 5-6 full scale shows each semester giving students an opportunity to shine. We also offer camps and workshops that open doors to imagination and self-confidence while instilling the discipline and work ethic that is crucial for any craft.
Our youth programming is designed to give each student a well-rounded performing arts education. Our passion is helping young performers of all experience levels build their skill sets, discover hidden talents and have a blast while doing so!
No child has to audition to get into the program. Once enrolled, they are all in the show!
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Honestly, there have been a few bumps along the way, but any struggle we had lead to an even better opportunity. We started performing our shows at the Boiler Room Theatre, which was Williamson County’s first professional theatre which sat only about 120 patron. But in 2013 the Factory at Franklin was purchased and the theatre was closed. This left Act Too without a performance venue. Because we strive to give our students the most professional experience possible, we turned to the Franklin Theatre for help. So in 2014, we began to call Franklin Theatre our new performance venue seating 284 patrons. Today we have sell-out performances and are the only children’s theatre that performs at the historic Franklin Theatre. We are proud of the achievements we have made over the past 19 years and look forward to many more adventures in the future.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I have a background in musical theatre. I trained in NYC at the American Musical and Dramatic Academy and the New School of Social Research receiving a BFA. While I performed several tours and shows from Nashville to NYC, teaching has always been my passion. Act Too only hires teachers who are professionals in the business themselves. What I am most proud of is that we offer classes that don’t require an audition to participate. We have students who have done several shows with us and even worked professionally, and we have students who have never graced the stage before coming to us. We are proud that we continue to produce high-quality shows with these students and have won several awards including best Theatre and best Youth Program throughout the years.
Our classes only meet once a week so that children can have the time and flexibility to explore other interests and activities as well. This has been our platform from the beginning.
Let’s talk about our city – what do you love? What do you not love?
I love Franklin. While I didn’t grow up here, I did live here when I went to high school. And I am proud to call Franklin my home for the past 20 years. I have seen the growth that Franklin has made since 1989. Our community is a thriving, accepting people who love and embrace the arts. I love that we have the opportunity to perform at the Historic Franklin Theatre which has hosted some of the countries biggest artists and we are proud to be a part of that community.
We have been here for almost 20 years and while growth is good sometimes things can get lost. We hope that despite the rapid growth that Franklin will maintain its small-town, welcoming community that we have always loved.
Pricing:
- $95/month tuition
Contact Info:
- Email: sondra@acttooplayers.com
- Website: www.acttooplayers.com
- Instagram: @acttooplayers
- Facebook: ActTooPlayers
Image Credits
Photo Credit: Lauren Gill Photography
