Come and Experience Our Unique Community
ACT’s comprehensive, full-day arts magnet high school serves grades 9-12 and is housed in the historic, fully renovated Capitol Theater on Main Street in Willimantic. This small city is also home to Eastern Connecticut State University, as well as a vibrant downtown. ACT is located in northeastern Connecticut, about 35 minutes from Hartford.
Each day, ACT Students arrive from 28 towns and districts across eastern Connecticut to attend a daylong program that is steeped in the arts and supported by a demanding academic curriculum. ACT not only offers a supportive and safe school environment, but plentiful opportunities to get involved in the bustling community surrounding the school. ACT’s philosophical foundation is: Respect Yourself, Respect the Work and Respect the Community. This small, tightly-knit community provides students with a place to flourish and reach their true potential.
The Capitol Theater itself boasts three theaters, a set design and construction shop, audio/video editing suites, classrooms, dance studios, a costume shop, computer-aided drafting equipment, a café and an art gallery. Interested applicants may contact ACT Principal Sarah Mallory to schedule a "Shadow Day," during which students spend a day attending ACT classes with students. Reach Mrs. Mallory at
We are delighted to once again offer Shadow Days to prospective students. Schedule yours today!
ACT Application Process
High school students who demonstrate a passion for and commitment to the arts will be considered for admission to EASTCONN’s Arts at the Capitol Theater (ACT) performing arts magnet high school. In order to take full advantage of integrated arts and academic classes, small class sizes and performance opportunities, we ask that students come to us with the energy, motivation and commitment it takes to succeed in this unique setting. Every student applicant must undergo a three-step process to ensure that they and their parents/guardians understand the Performing Arts Magnet concept and our expectations.
The application process includes:
1. Shadow Experience
2. Completion of the application:
- 2024-2025 Application English
- 2024-2025 Aplicación Español
- 2025-2026 Application English
- 2025-2026 Application Español
3. Audition and Interview
Once students complete steps 1-3, they will be eligible for the lottery process. Students who meet the requirements for entry but who are not selected by the lottery process will be placed on a waiting list in the order in which their names were drawn. These individuals will then be eligible for admission based on available space.