Great theatre - Past and Present
Who is A Classic Theatre?
Our Mission, Our History
A Classic Theatre takes pride in producing a wide range of offerings that fit its mission of producing
classic, historic, contemporary and original works.
What kind of plays do we produce?
Our goal is to entertain, inspire critical thinking and engage our audience through the performing arts.
Plays that are relevant and timely
Plays that stimulate conversation
Plays that entertain
Plays that challenge our artists
What do we value?
Passion for making each production of the highest quality
The Artists –Providing an inclusive, nurturing environment to create
Our community – Embracing the diversity of St. Augustine
Our Volunteers- For their dedication and enthusiasm
Our Donors -For they are our partners
Financial stability - So we can continue to grow and thrive
Collaboration with community groups and other arts organizations
Audience – Our most important asset
Founded In May of 2005 by Jean Rahner, ACT made its debut on the arts scene with a staged reading of Marat/Sade by Peter Weiss. Fully staged productions followed being presented in every conceivable venue. As the organization grew, original works and plays featuring the history of St. Augustine were included each season.
Although ACT never had a permanent home during that time, it spent several seasons at The Pioneer Barn and Lincolnville Museum and Cultural Center. Currently, thanks to the generosity of The City of St. Augustine and The St. Johns Cultural Council, we are now fortunate to have a home at The Waterworks Building.
As A Classic Theatre looks forward to the future with renewed vigor as it continues to seek out and embrace new playwrights and produce classic and contemporary plays with a fresh voice.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
ARTISTIC DIRECTOR:
Cindy Alexander
Cindy Alexander has returned to her home state having lived in New York and New Jersey for most of her career. While in NY, she worked as a talent agent representing actors for Theatre, Film and Television. She then became manager of a 1000 seat performing arts center in central NJ presenting all forms of touring theatrical shows.
In addition to her work life, Cindy was active in a local community theatre as a director and producer as well as serving on the board as president. Some favorite shows she has directed are Shirley Valentine, The Cocktail Hour, Good People, Ruthless, When We are Married and Love, Loss What I Wore.
Since joining ACT she has produced or assisted on Lysistrata, Democracy, Ripcord, Blithe Spirit and Gertrude Stein as well as directing a staged reading of Motherhood Out Loud. She is very happy to have found a theatre home with A Classic Theatre.
BOARD MEMBER:
Grace Reed
"The theater bug bit Grace hard in college. In addition to performing, she had the opportunity to direct and premier an original musical. She taught theater and speech in high school for several years, and took advantage of directing opportunities wherever they appeared, sometimes creating theater companies when necessary. She has directed in Los Angeles, South Florida, New Jersey, and NE Florida. A member of Actor's Equity and SAG, she is extremely proud to be involved with ACT. There is a commitment in this organization to create quality theater that impacts our community.`"
TREASURER:
Tom Rodgers
A native of western Pennsylvania, Tom graduated from Westminster College in New Wilmington with a Bachelor of Music degree. He then did his graduate studies in church music at Westminster Choir College (Ryder University) in Princeton, NJ. He spent most of his career as full-time Director of Music at The Presbyterian Church at Bound Brook, NJ. (Founded in 1688) After 44 years of service there he retired to St. Augustine. While in NJ he was also active in The Chester Theatre Group, Chester NJ. There he served on the Board for many years as Treasurer. He also was one of their Musical Directors and a keyboard player in the “pit” for many of their musicals. He has been in St. Augustine for a year and a half and is the part-time organist for Grace United Methodist Church.
He is looking forward to helping in any way at ACT.
MARKETING DIRECTOR:
Glo MacDonald
Glo MacDonald joined us in 2018 after having served as ACT’s graphic designer beginning with the 2017 production of "An Evening of One Acts" by Tennessee Williams. A graphic artist and photographer by profession, Glo moved to St. Augustine in 2017 and is now handling marketing for ACT, as well as other production needs such as scenics and tech preparation. You can also catch her as bartender at most productions.
Glo is also a board member of Romanza and handles marketing for Celtic Festival and Romanza Festivale.
Glo and her husband Mac have an extensive background in television and have become part of the production team.
BOARD SECRETARY:
Harolyn Sharpe
Harolyn has been meshing education and drama for 40 years. She has just retired from Florida State College at Jacksonville as professor of Public Speaking and Communication. While there, she created and directed three Readers Theatre productions, Teacher Man, The American Dream (also presented at Cummer Museum) and The Little Prince.
Harolyn is honored to be a part of the TEDxJacksonville and TEDxFSCJ team where she coaches speakers, and a Board member for Orange Park Chorale.
Harolyn has performed for professional and community theatres, and directed 18 productions for adults and children in community theatres in KY, IN and FL.
BOARD MEMBER:
David Abraham
A native of Vicksburg, Mississippi, David Abraham received his Bachelor of Arts degree with a minor in vocal performance from the University of Mississippi, and a law degree from Tulane Law School. He began performing publicly at age 5, and has spent a lifetime embracing the arts as a singer, classical pianist and actor. David had a successful law practice in Jacksonville before moving to St. Augustine. While he still practices law, he has enjoyed the slower pace of St. Augustine which has enabled him to once again pursue his passion for the arts and love of performing, including once again studying classical voice.
David has appeared in numerous production with A Classic Theatre, both as an actor and a singer, most notably performing three roles in ACT’s production of “Sylvia” in our 2023 season. Expanding artistic horizons as a result of his classical vocal studies, David has now sung in productions with First Coast Opera. David joined the ACT board in 2021. He believes that the arts are essential to our community, and appreciates the opportunity to contribute to their growth.
BOARD MEMBER:
Dawn Knipe
Dawn Knipe has spent most of her life creating theater as a director, actor, and sometimes clown, developing new works for university theater, off-off-Broadway showcases, and in workshops at HB Studios, the Neighborhood Playhouse, and the Eugene O’Neill Theater Center. She is a graduate of Pace University’s theater program and studied acting with Alfred Dumais, a protégé of Uta Hagen. In New York, she was the director of the Schimmel Center for the Arts and collaborated with numerous performing artists from the downtown art scene, and for several years, she was a member of Charles Maryan’s Playwright/Directors Workshop. She’s had a lengthy career in higher education and currently works for Academic Affairs at the University of North Florida.
BOARD MEMBER:
Ron Hunsicker
Ron, who graduated from Westminster Choir College (Rider University) with a Bachelor of Music Education degree, moved from NJ to St Augustine in 2022 and was drawn to the ACT community after seeing their production of The Immigrant. After years of teaching high school music, he musically directed several musical productions which included South Pacific, Godspell, Jesus Christ Superstar, How to Succeed, and Pirates of Penzance. He retired in 2015 from his second career in software sales as a technical advisor. In the short time Ron has lived in St Augustine, he has worked on the lights and sound at ACT for Shirley Valentine and Couples.
BOARD MEMBER:
Rick Cirucci
Rick Cirucci is thrilled to join the ACT board this year after recently returning to the stage after a long hiatus away from performing arts. Rick was introduced to A Classic Theatre in Oct’23performing as Sen. Charles Whitmore in “Church & State”. Prior to this, Rick served in a variety of roles ranging from performing, directing, production and sales/marketing while as an undergrad at St. Joseph’s University in Philadelphia. From a career perspective, Rick is a 30-year veteran of healthcare and consumer products industry with his primary focus being in sales and marketing.
Rick and his family have lived in the St. Augustine area since July’23 where they thoroughly enjoy its coastal bohemian vibe.