Dan Pittman Act Out Theatre

Theatre Group’s artistic director after the original owners pursued other opportunities. Dan ran Act Out Theatre Group LLC in Taylor until 2018 when the building was unexpectedly put up for sale and sold. To keep the Act Out name alive and the arts program continuing, he found a new location in Dunmore. Nothing short of a massive Act Out Family effort allowed the theatre to close its final production at the Taylor location and move to Dunmore in a week. Nineteen days later, Heathers: The Musical, School Edition opened on the Dunmore stage.

Dan Pittman is the owner and artistic director of Act Out Theatre Group LLC. He has a bachelor's degree in musical theatre from DeSales University, and is a NEPTA nominated choreographer and an accomplished director and performer. He has worked at a number of community theaters throughout Franklin, Luzerne and Lackawanna counties.

Act Out Theatre Group is an organization that focuses on performance, as well as educating youth on the the art of musical theatre. Act Out’s goal is to not only produce art but to facilitate an educational and fun social climate where students ages 4 to seniors in high school can be free to express themselves without judgment, to learn about music and theatre and to share a common passion among peers.

In 2017, Dan Pittman took over as Act Out

Since that first production, the theatre has gone through a number of changes, but the family spirit has remained. Theatre offerings have evolved to include adult productions, educational theatre camps for children, family fun nights and more community involvement opportunities. Dan is committed to creating a safe, inclusive environment where all children and teens are encouraged to explore the arts. Smaller workshop opportunities allow for more individualized attention and for participants to be more than just a face in the crowd.

Act Out Theatre Group moved once again in late2022 to its current home within the Lucca Plaza at 802 S. Main St., back where it all began, in Taylor! The theatre also has started a competitive Diversity Scholarship to help make theatre more accessible to everyone. (Applications are currently being accepted.)

Although Dan spends most of his time directing recently on stage as Santa in Act Out’s workshop production of Land of Forgotten Toys: The Musical, where he was able to share the stage with the workshop participants. He is a former recipient of the NEPA Business Journal’s 20 Under 40 and was also a twotime nominee for Cultural Ambassador of the Year from the Young Professional Awards.

In my experience, children are drawn to acting as a creative outlet. It allows them to leave their everyday stresses at the door and take on a new persona. Friendships and a passion for the arts help them continue in the arts. I think that art is in a unique position in the sense that you can imitate and reflect on the challenges and social issues people face in their day to day to life.

Favorite quote:

“Oh, if life were made of moments

Even now and then a bad one!

But if life were only moments

Then you'd never know you had one”

–from Into the Woods

Sondheim reminds us to live life to the fullest and never regret decisions made.

Personal

Dan resides in Plymouth with his friend, colleague and confidant; Kalen Churcher and their chihuahua, Little Edie. His family includes his mother and brother (Chambersburg.) H