Arts at the Capitol Theater

- 896 Main St, Willimantic, CT 06226

For Connecticut students with a passion for the performing arts, Arts at the Capitol Theater (ACT) in Willimantic represents a truly unique secondary education opportunity. This institution is a public, NEASC-accredited magnet high school, meaning enrollment is tuition-free for students across the state. Located within the beautifully renovated, historic Capitol Theater building, ACT offers an immersive, full-day educational experience where traditional high school academics are deeply integrated with demanding performing arts training.

ACT is not merely a high school with elective art classes; it is a specialized learning community designed for students who want to intentionally connect their academic knowledge with creative expression. Students in grades 9 through 12 choose from one of seven distinct artistic pathways, providing a focused, pre-professional level of study alongside a rigorous academic curriculum that meets Connecticut State Department of Education Frameworks and Content Standards. This holistic approach is geared toward producing well-rounded, critical-thinking "Renaissance people for the 21st century," prepared for college and future careers, whether in the arts or other fields.

The school operates on a foundational philosophy: "Respect Yourself, Respect the Work, and Respect the Community." This ethos fosters a supportive, tight-knit environment that encourages students from diverse backgrounds to thrive intellectually and creatively. The small school size—typically less than 200 students with a favorable student-to-teacher ratio—ensures that each Connecticut student receives the individualized attention and differentiated instruction necessary to address their unique learning needs. For families across Connecticut looking for an educational setting that prioritizes both academic rigor and artistic development, ACT offers a compelling choice.

Arts at the Capitol Theater (ACT) is an acclaimed magnet high school that serves as an essential institution for performing arts education in Connecticut. It is officially classified as a High school, an Art school, a Dance school, and a hub for Theater production, all rolled into a single, comprehensive program for grades 9-12. Housed in the historic Capitol Theater, the school provides an exciting urban setting in downtown Willimantic, close to Eastern Connecticut State University (ECSU), which allows for academic partnerships and community engagement.

The curriculum at ACT is characterized by its integrated approach, where academic subjects like math, science, English, and social studies intentionally weave in concepts and applications from the performing arts. This cross-curricular connection is fundamental to the school's mission, encouraging students to develop critical thinking, problem-solving skills, and a greater aesthetic appreciation. Enrollment is a three-step process—application, administrative interview, and an arts audition/portfolio review—designed to ensure prospective Connecticut students demonstrate the necessary passion and commitment to succeed in this unique, demanding environment.

ACT is ideally located in the heart of northeastern Connecticut, making it accessible to students commuting from various towns across the region.

The official address is: 896 Main St, Willimantic, CT 06226, USA.

Being situated on Main Street, the school benefits from a downtown location with a vibrant surrounding community. The building itself is the fully renovated, historic Capitol Theater, which provides a professional-grade learning and performance environment.

Key features that enhance accessibility for all Connecticut families include:

• Wheelchair Accessible Entrance: The facility ensures that all students and visitors, regardless of mobility, have safe and easy entry into the school.
• Wheelchair Accessible Parking Lot: Dedicated parking is available to accommodate individuals with mobility needs, ensuring convenient access from arrival to entry.
• Regional Magnet Status: As a public magnet school, ACT draws students from numerous communities across eastern Connecticut, with many students willingly commuting significant distances (up to two hours in some cases) due to the quality and uniqueness of the program offered.
• Proximity to ECSU: Its location near Eastern Connecticut State University facilitates a valuable partnership that allows qualified upperclassmen to attend college classes and earn free college credits, a major benefit for future college planning.

ACT provides comprehensive educational and artistic services designed to develop students into creative, well-educated, and productive citizens.

• Full-Day High School Academics: A full load of core academic courses (Math, Science, Social Studies, English, World Language, Physical Education/Health) integrated with arts concepts, adhering to Connecticut State Content Standards.
• Seven Performing Arts Pathways: Students select a specialized focus area for in-depth, sequential study, including:
  • Acting
  • Creative Writing
  • Dance
  • Integrated Arts & Management
  • Media Arts
  • Music
  • Technical Theater (sets, lights, costuming, design)
• Pre-College Academic Boost: Partnership with Eastern Connecticut State University (ECSU) offering qualified upperclassmen the opportunity to earn free college credits.
• State-of-the-Art Facilities: Access to a 225-seat apron stage theater, three theaters in total, a set design and construction shop, dance studios, a costume shop, audio/video editing suites, and an art gallery.
• Performance and Production Opportunities: Regular opportunities to participate in performances, productions (plays and musicals), music nights, and public exhibitions, applying classroom learning in real-world settings.
• Senior Capstone Project (Legacy Project): A personalized learning experience required for all seniors, focusing on synthesizing their academic and artistic learning.
• Community Engagement and Student Life: Encouraging involvement in clubs, volunteer activities, advisory groups, and school-wide events like field trips and dances to foster meaningful peer and community connections.
• Mindful and Supportive Community: A small, tightly-knit community with a philosophy centered on respect, providing a safe, welcoming, and inclusive place for diverse students to express themselves.

The distinct features of Arts at the Capitol Theater make it a standout choice among secondary schools in Connecticut.

• Ranked Top Arts High School: ACT is consistently recognized, having been ranked #1 Best High School for the Arts in Connecticut by national evaluators, underscoring its excellence in arts education.
• Historic Venue as Classroom: The school is housed within the beautifully restored Capitol Theater, providing students with a professional-grade performance and production environment every day—a feature few other high schools in the state can match.
• Small Community Focus: With a limited student body (around 122 students in grades 9-12) and an exceptional 8:1 student-teacher ratio, students receive highly personalized instruction and mentorship.
• Dedicated Arts Integration: The curriculum goes beyond simple electives by integrating the arts into core academic subjects, ensuring students build critical thinking and collaboration skills alongside creative expertise.
• Seven Specialized Pathways: The depth of study in specialized pathways like Technical Theater, Integrated Arts & Management, and Creative Writing offers pre-professional exposure and helps students develop a focused artistic identity.
• Free Public Magnet Enrollment: As a public magnet school operated by EASTCONN, a Regional Educational Service Center, the specialized high school program is offered at no tuition cost to accepted Connecticut students.
• Strong Academic Preparation: ACT's teachers are highly rated, with the school being ranked among the top public high school teachers in Connecticut, reflecting a commitment to academic excellence alongside artistic training.

For Connecticut families interested in applying or learning more about the admissions process and events at the Capitol Theater campus, please use the following contact details.

Address: 896 Main St, Willimantic, CT 06226, USA
Phone (General): (860) 465-5636
Mobile Phone: +1 860-465-5636

Choosing Arts at the Capitol Theater (ACT) is a choice for an education that is both academically rigorous and intensely creative, a combination highly valued by Connecticut families. What truly makes ACT worth choosing is its success in creating a small, safe, and supportive home for motivated, artistically inclined students who might otherwise feel lost in a larger, traditional high school setting. The ability to spend a full day in an environment dedicated to cross-curricular learning—where a science lesson might inform stage lighting design, or a literature class inspires a piece of creative writing—provides unparalleled depth of learning.

Connecticut parents should note the significant advantages of the specialized pathways and the school's facilities. Few secondary schools in the state can offer a student hands-on training in a dedicated costume shop, a fully functional theater, or audio/video editing suites. This provides a genuine, real-world context for artistic learning. The strong college preparation, including the partnership with ECSU for free college credits, demonstrates a clear focus on post-graduation success.

Furthermore, the school's commitment to its core values—Respect Yourself, Respect the Work, and Respect the Community—builds not just artists, but compassionate, collaborative citizens. While ACT is a small school, its academic and artistic reputation is large, ranking among the best for arts education and teacher quality in Connecticut. For a talented and motivated Connecticut student in grades 9-12, ACT offers a transformative educational experience that inspires intellectual exploration, creative expression, and personal growth, preparing them to succeed in any path they choose.

Arts at the Capitol Theater

896 Main St, Willimantic, CT 06226, USA