ABOUT

Mission Statement

Arts Collective Theatre is a not-for-profit organization dedicated and committed to enhancing the well-being of the Windsor Essex community through theatre education, mentorship, and by bringing awareness to social justice issues in Windsor and beyond.

Vision

ACT is committed to delivering educational theatre-based practices, that promotes inclusivity and diversity within the arts to the Windsor – Essex Community and beyond. Mentorship and learning opportunities are rooted in our artistic processes, and we provide the opportunity for those who train with us, to mentor others within our programs and throughout the community.

ACT Goals Include:

  • Create community and a safe environment through theatre and drama initiatives.
  • Create social justice works.
  • Promote self-development and learning through mentorship and leadership opportunities.
  • Invite and encourage the participation of similarly engaged theatre artists.
  • Contribute to an increased awareness of the arts in Windsor Essex.
  • Establish a collective of theatre artists, educators, and youth.
  • Extend partnerships in all areas of the community.
  • Develop ministry of education examples of best practices through artistic activities and curriculum-based learning.
  • Form educational models that showcase vital and relevant artistic works.
  • Create and engage in short- and long-term practices.
  • Offer opportunities for paid artistic work within a collective model.
  • Produce artistic works that showcase diverse cultures and ethnic groups, and encourage other Windsor-Essex theatre companies to include this best practice within their programming.

ACT Board Members

ACT is run by 9 Board of Directors, and has a Management Team Governance model.  Each board member is administered a specific duty when it comes to the organization’s operations management (ex. human resources, fundraising, finance, planning and programs management).   We have no paid staff members (unless we have grant funds for paid positions on specific projects).  We are run by a group of dedicated, eager volunteers who want to be a part of the growth of the Windsor-Essex performing arts community.

Chris Rabideau

ACT President
Instructor – University of Windsor, Faculty of Education, Drama Department
Full time artistic director, producer, playwright, project facilitator, public speaker, and educator
Started ACT 2014

 Moya McAlister

ACT Vice President
Project Coordinator & National Liaison Officer – National Self-Represented Litigants Project (NSRLP), University of Windsor, Faculty of Law
Joined the board January 2016

Valentine Yaghoubzadeh

ACT Treasurer
Fashion Designer – Valentine Yaghoubzadeh Designs
Joined the board April 2019

Robin Swainson

ACT Chair
Constituency Assistant – Lisa Gretzky MPP
Joined the board 2015

Pam Hartford

ACT Vice Chair
BSR Driver – Chrysler Canada, Inspection Department
Joined the board April 2019

Theresa Angotti-Cunningham

ACT Secretary
Manager – Personalized Solutions (Personalized Gifts, Personally Special)
Receptionist/Scheduler – Meloche Windows & Doors
Joined the board April 2019

Jacqueline Mellish

ACT Board Director
Student Experience Coordinator – Master of Management, University of Windsor, Odette School of Business
Joined the board April 2019

Shelly Davis

ACT Board Director
Retired Nurse – Hotel Dieu Hospital
Joined the board April 2019

Mike Allen

ACT Board Director
Retired Industrial Mechanic – Lambton Generating, Ontario Power Generating
Joined the Board April 2019