Act One Project SUMMER SEASON (2024)

HEY EVERYBODY!

My name is Kyle Stafford and I’m the Founder and Artistic Director of Act One Project - Orange County’s premiere theatre company for young artists. Act One Project is back for the summer! I’m super excited to announce the opportunities we’ve created for this summer, but before doing so - we need your help.

Act One Project was founded in 2021 during my sophomore year of high school amidst the Covid-19 pandemic. This company became my “baby” during my high school experience, as it served as a place to discover, explore, and play with theatre. With Act One Project, I’ve had the chance to produce 5 shows: Death and Other Girly Things, Ghost Quartet, Sondheim Tribute Revue, The Trail to Oregon!, and Alice by Heart. These shows span from indie/obscure song cycles to pilot-productions of beautiful story retellings. Since day 1, everything has been run by students. From the costumes, lights, sound, marketing, ushering, and beyond. Student involvement has always been at the forefront of Act One Project’s mission. I’m very blessed to have been surrounded by so many intelligent individuals for every second I’ve run this - whether it’s the cast, sound board operator, or show photographer. Act One Project was a vital part of my development as a director, producer, and theatremaker - and I can’t imagine being where I am without it.

Act One Project has been able to touch the hearts of people involved, here’s what some have to say:

“I have been with Act One for not even a year but I can definitely say that it has changed my life. Kyle is not only a wonderful person but such a creative director who gives amazing chances to actors and shows. I always look forward to his portrayal of performances and really hope to keep doing shows with him.”

–KYLA BIEGER, The Trail to Oregon!, Alice by Heart

“I was part of Alice by Heart with Act One last summer and I had the best time! This was one of my first times performing outside of school choir or band concerts and my first time with a bigger role. I loved the cast and still keep up with some of the friends I made and I really was able to grow as an actor/singer. Being a part of this show helped me build my confidence as an actor and I really fell fully in love with acting and performing. I hadn’t done much acting before this so I got to learn so much from Kyle and the cast, and I just loved working with Act One Project and such a great group of people. I couldn’t have asked for a better introduction to performance and theater.”

–LETY SCHOW, Alice by Heart

“Act One Project has served as a safe space for me to play and explore in so many different worlds, to feel comfortable making bold choices, and practice the importance of a tightly knit ensemble! It’s an environment that encourages compassion and growth as artists, and that allows for exploring multiple aspects of what goes into a passion-filled production.”

—LIV MAJESTIC, Death and Other Girly Things, Ghost Quarter

This past year, I’ve begun my studies as a Theatre Management student at The Theatre School at DePaul University, thus Act One Project being put on a temporary hiatus. I’m ready for this to change! As I travel back to California from Chicago, I’ve begun creating the Act One Project summer show - something I hope to share with you all very soon.

Theatre is EXPENSIVE. Expenses range from venue rentals, costumes, sets, props, marketing, dramaturgy supplies, as well as paying our band members, lighting directors, sound directors, and more. The first hurdle for expenses is licensing costs and venues - paying the creators of the musical as well as renting our performance space. Act One Project looks to create an equitable rehearsal room for emerging artists to grow in. One of the ways this manifests is through a suggested-tuition model - in lieu of a traditional participation fee, actors are encouraged to donate the amount of their choosing to Act One Project. Meaning we are entirely donation reliant. If you’re in the financial situation to consider donating to Act One Project, it would mean the world to not only me, but everybody involved in this summers’ project.

For this first round of fundraising, we’re looking to raise $2,500. This cost will be spent on our Summer Musical licensing and script rental, as well as provide a security payment for our performance venue. These are the bare necessities to put on a show this summer!

Thank you in advance for your contribution to this summers’ Act One Project show - whether it's spreading the word, posting this on Instagram, or a financial contribution. I’m STOKED to get back to California and create something awesome.

–KYLE STAFFORD (he/him)

Founder/Artistic Director of Act One Project

@actoneproject on Instagram