About Us

What is FACT?

Friends of Athens Creative Theatre (FACT) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation established in 1978 to support Athens Creative Theatre (ACT), the theatrical program of Athens Clarke-County Leisure Services. FACT members help to provide ACT with financial assistance because ACT’s presence enriches the cultural experiences of our community.

How do I get involved?

FACT Members help by selling concessions, advertising, being involved with fundraisers and volunteering directly and indirectly with ACT programs through ushering, marketing and other auxiliary services. Fill out the form below if you are interested in being an FACT volunteer.

* Please arrive at the called time to set up the concession area.
* Please bring your concession items to the Morton Theatre Monday through Friday from 12:00 noon to 4:00 PM. Items MUST be individually wrapped.

Our Board


David Matthews-Morgan
President/Webmaster
David has been performing on stage for over 58 years and has been involved with 31 ACT productions since 1994. He served as FACT President from 2006 to 2011.
David has also performed with Town and Gown Players, Rose of Athens Theatre, Brightstone Productions and Alps Little Playhouse and sings with the Athens Master Chorale. David is the director of the Winterville Campus for Arts and Culture which includes the Winterville Community Center and the Marigold Auditorium for Arts and Culture in Winterville, GA. He is Chair of the Joint Development Authority of the Unified Government of Athens-Clarke County and the City of Winterville and is the Treasurer of the Winterville Arts Council. For more information about David, please visit https://davidmatthews-morgan.info.

Ralph Stephens
Treasurer
A 50-year veteran of stage and screen with an M.F.A. in Theatre from UGA, Ralph has been involved with A.C.T. productions off and on since 1973, though mostly during the past 10 years. Semi-retired from careers in thefederal government and education, Ralph decided to become involved with the FACT board through his work in the Morton Theatre box office. His previous experience includes stints on the Town & Gown, Athens Little Playhouse, Young Actors Studio and Children First boards of directors.

Josh Defee
Secretary
Josh is new to Friends of Athens Creative Theater but has enjoyed watching his wife and two children perform for ACT. After seeing how much they enjoyed performing he finally jumped on stage as well. He’s currently a manager for Synovus Bank here in Athens and tries to find as many opportunities he can to get back on stage because, well, he’s hooked. What better way to stay involved than to volunteer time for the Friends of Athens Creative Theater. His favorite performances to date have been playing Riff Raff from Rocky Horror and King Oberon in Midsummer Night’s Musical. Josh, his wife and two outstanding children have shared the stage on multiple occasions since and he is always hoping to do it again.

Laura Rupers
Member-at-Large
Laura Rupers moved to Georgia from Kentucky in 2007. She first became involved with Athens Creative Theatre through her daughter, Cubby. Soon, Laura jumped into ACT herself by volunteering in hair styling and makeup, creating cake pops and other themed concession treats, and performing alongside her daughters, Cubby and Bunny. A lifelong educator, Laura has taught band, music, chorus, writing, drama, and more. Laura’s need to create is like an itch; she “scratches” it by storytelling; writing; designing costumes; creating cookies, cakes, and other themed treats; and making music. The breast cancer survivor also loves Bible study, cooking, and her T.O.P.S. weight loss club. Laura and her husband, Dan, enjoy homeschooling their three children: Cubby, Tiger, and Bunny.

Terry Powell
Ex-Officio Member

T.A. Powell is the Program Specialist for Athens Creative Theatre and has been at the helm of this ACC government sponsored theatrical program for over a decade. Her background — as a published playwright, professional stage manager and director — speaks to her participation in the Athens theatre community for 20 years. This kind of valued tenure and leadership skills enables her to bring an excellence to even the children’s programs ACT presents each summer. As executive managing and artistic director, she has produced countless productions from main stage musicals to summer theatre performance camps. She achieved major state award status for innovative programming through the Georgia Recreation and Parks Association (GRPA) in several categories, including therapeutic for her Monologues and More for the Cognitively Challenged, TEEN ENCORE Theatre Practicum programs, as well as the Senior Reader’s Theatre Program for our older citizenry.

In addition to her status as a published playwright through Heuer Publishing LLC, she is also CEO of Brownstone Literary Works Publishing LLC, where she remains a featured blogger and novelist in both Historical Fiction and True Crime Investigation Memoirs genres. An avid participant within the field of investigative forensics, Powell finds her writing a natural extension of her passion for science, criminology and the paranormal. She is finishing her degree in Investigative Forensics through UMUC, working closely with both active and retired law enforcement along with psychic/medium detectives to unearth information and provide proper authorities with potential evidence to bring these cold cases to layman’s fruition. She has included Criminal Justice students involved in programs sponsored by Cold Case Investigative Research Institute (C.C.I.R.I.), a partnership between Auburn University Montgomery, Faulkner University and Bauder College.


Daniel Self
Ex-Officio Member

Daniel Self serves as the Program Leader for Athens Creative Theatre providing resources, information, and assisting in the facilitation of ACT production, classes, and programs offered by ACT. Daniel’s background is in music education and performance having managed a private music studio, founded a number of community music ensembles, and performed extensively on keyboard and flute throughout the southeast help to drive his pursuit of musical excellence in the community theatre program and his passion for music education in theatre.

Daniel currently maintains an active music performance schedule and is a published music arranger. His passion for participating and facilitating community arts and music projects keeps him active in the creative community of Athens.

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