acttheatrecompany.com 6635 NW Church Lane Topeka, Kansas 66618

Vlad is a thousand-year-old vampire who tries online dating because he's having a hard time meeting a woman who will let him suck her blood. His first date with Vicky, a phlebotomist, is a disaster -- he runs away from her in terror because she seems immune to his dark powers. He tries dating other women -- with predictably disastrous results -- but he can't stop thinking about Vicky. Vicky also has a series of disastrous dates, and she also can't stop thinking about the mysterious man she calls "Vladdie". "Love Bite" follows the trajectory of these two off-kilter souls who seem destined for each other -- even though their attempts at communication go hilariously wrong. Are they even on the same page? Will they get together in the end? "Love Bite" provides the silly and sweet answer to those questions.

Tickets can be purchased online by clicking on the URL below or at the door the day of the show.

https://square.link/u/64TJqPDH

Silent Auction FundRaiser

Genre Spotlights

ACT Theatre Company will be holding a silent auction for the original Digital Portrait titled "ZAMFIRA". The Portrait is a project of Dani and Eric Carter and will be hung on the wall of the set during the upcoming production of "LOVE BITE" October 17th-26th. Bids will be accepted from audience members who attend each show and online at acttheatrecompany.com. Bids will be opened Monday October 27th to see who has submitted the winning bid. The following is some background on the piece.

Zamfira
Digital Portrait by Dani Carter & Eric Carter

    Zamfira is the result of a collaborative digital art piece by father-daughter duo Dani and Eric Carter. Meticulously crafted, this portrait draws inspiration from historical Romanian paintings of noblewomen and princesses. By studying and combining distinct features from archival works, the artists created a singular, evocative character — Zamfira.
    The name "Zamfira" holds deep roots in Romanian culture. Frequently found in folk songs, poetry, and traditional tales, it symbolizes grace, resilience, and feminine strength. Historically, Zamfira is associated with powerful female figures — a muse for generations, embodying the enduring spirit and beauty of Romanian heritage.
    Through this portrait, the Carters breathe new life into a timeless archetype, bridging the past with a modern digital lens. Zamfira stands not only as a visual tribute to Romanian tradition, but also as a reimagined icon of cultural pride and artistic exploration.

This is your chance to purchase an original piece from the local artists. To bid, scroll to the bottom of this page and enter your information in the name and email box and your bid amount in the message box.

A Word from our Artistic Direct

Karen Bartlett

Karen (KB) Bartlett has accepted the Artistic Director position with ACT Theatre Company. She is no stranger to the stage. Karen was a Contract Theatre/English major at Bethany College in Lindsborg, Kansas.

While at Bethany she performed in several plays such as Into the Woods, City of Angels, and Carousel to name a few. She has performed with the Washburn University Theatre, Topeka Civic Theatre, Ad Astra Theatre Ensemble, Helen Hocker Theatre, and ACT Theatre Company.

Karen has a strong grasp of what it takes to direct others and to help actors, of all backgrounds, learn and understand the character and how they interact with each other in roles in which they are cast. This results in her cast collaborating well with one another and complementing each other in their roles.

She said, “I realize this is a new chapter in my theatre experience and that it is going to be a challenge. But I am ready to take the reins to guide ACT Theatre into the future".

Karen encourages her actor friends to consider ACT Theatre when looking for a place to perform.

About Us

Our Mission

What is ACT Theatre Company?

Our Most Recent Show

"The mission of ACT is to provide the community with live theater produced to serve the cultural, educational and entertainment needs of the community. Additional activities may be conducted to support the organization both financially and to provide awareness
of the organization to the community at large.

Our Most Recent Show

What is ACT Theatre Company?

Our Most Recent Show

"Short Cuts"

A compilation of Monologues, one acts and radio plays written by several different playwrights. This show was intended to allow some local playwrights and new playwrights a venue to showcase their shows. ACT Theatre tries to perform shows that are not usually seen on other stages in the Topeka, Ks area.

What is ACT Theatre Company?

ACT Theatre Company is proud to be a 501c3, not-for-profit, community theater. For us this means that anyone can audition for a role, even if the only place you have performed is in your home or car. We also have all sorts of volunteer and sponsorship opportunities for those who have the theater but don’t want to be on stage.

Our History

ACT began in the spring of 2007 as a group of friends who came together to do a children's show at the Auburn Community Center. The show was so successful that we decided to do another show in the summer of 2008, this time as an adult comedy. In 2009, ACT offered its first actual "season" of live theater. Seven shows were scheduled throughout the year. Season tickets were advertised and sold.

After the 2016 season the Theatre moved from Auburn, Kansas to Topeka, Kansas and legally changed its name to ACT Theatre Company. In 2016 ACT Theatre Company performed as the Kansas entry to the AACT Region V festival in Minnesota.

In 2017 under the new name ACT Theatre, the season opened at the prestigious Topeka Performing Arts Center. In 2018 ACT Theatre performed several productions on the stage at The Break Room in downtown Topeka, Kansas and on stage at Grace Episcopal Cathedral.

In 2019 The Forest Park retreat center was in the process of adding new events to their schedule. ACT Theatre agreed to partner with them to produce some shows in their facilities and to help with maintenance and income. The facilities at this location were not the most convenient so in 2020 ACT Theatre Company entered into a contract to use the Elmont UMC Fellowship Hall which has a stage and a kitchen area. It was anticipated that dinner theatre performances could be held there. We are proud to call this the Permanent Home of ACT Theatre Company. It is the intent of ACT to promote local playwrights work whenever possible and give them a platform for their plays.