A Brief History of ActOut Theatre Group
The story of ActOut Theatre Group began in 1997 when Bill Chandler presented a vision for a community theatre organization to the GLSO Board of Directors. At the time, Terry Mullins was serving as Board President and Chandler as the organization's Office Manager. With a mission already defined and a name chosen, Chandler proposed the creation of "ActOut."
He envisioned the theatre as more than an entertainment venue. It would serve as a fundraiser for the GLSO Pride Center, provide a platform for addressing issues affecting the LGBTQ+ community, and create opportunities to showcase and unite the talents of people from all walks of life.
The GLSO Board enthusiastically embraced the proposal, and in June 1998, ActOut officially launched under the direction of Homer Tracy, Professor of Musical Theatre at Eastern Kentucky University. The company's inaugural production, Elegies for Angels, Punks, and Raging Queens, by Bill Russell with music by Janet Hood, featured a cast of 26 performers and was met with overwhelming community support. The production proved so successful that it returned for an encore presentation later that December, establishing a foundation for the organization's future growth and success.
Over the next several years, ActOut became an important artistic and cultural presence within the Lexington community. However, as often happens within nonprofit organizations, changes in leadership brought changes in priorities. In 2007, the GLSO Board of Directors voted to discontinue ActOut as a program of the organization.
Refusing to let the company and its mission come to an end, Bill Chandler and Terry Mullins worked to establish ActOut as an independent nonprofit organization. Their efforts were successful, and in 2008 ActOut Theatre Group was granted 501(c)(3) nonprofit status. This transition ensured the continuation of the company's commitment to producing quality theatre, supporting local artists, fostering community engagement, and promoting education, advocacy, and inclusion through the performing arts.
Today, ActOut Theatre Group continues to build upon the vision first proposed in 1997—creating meaningful theatrical experiences that entertain, inspire, and bring people together.
