Chamberlayne Actors Theatre

Mission:

CAT's mission is to present the metro Richmond area with a unique, dynamic, professional theatre experience in our welcoming, creative atmosphere.

Vision:

CAT’s Vision is to provide opportunities for community members: professional, amateur, and novices, to learn and to share their knowledge of the various jobs in theatre. We offer this in a professional atmosphere, meeting professional standards. We want to share the development of the artistic process in an atmosphere that is both encouraging and respectful.

History

Chamberlayne Actors Theatre began in 1964 as a community project of the North Chamberlayne Civic Association, designed to showcase the talents of neighborhood residents. Originally known as Chamberlayne Amateur Theatre for 30 years it regularly produced three plays on the stage in the NCCA civic building at 319 North Wilkinson Road in Richmond's North Side. The name changed to Chamberlayne Actors Theatre in the 1970s. In 1996, CAT was incorporated as independent non-profit arts group recognized as a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization, the first community theatre in Richmond to achieve this status. CAT's Board of Directors embarked on the development of a strategic plan to gain greater recognition as a home for quality theatre. In 1999, CAT took its next big step - paying stipends to its actors and designers - joining the ranks of Richmond's professional "fringe" theatres. With more than 40 years of entertaining Richmond, CAT is embarking on another change: a major capital campaign to improve our performance space to make it even more comfortable for our audience and artists.