The Appalachian Children's Theater (ACT) was created in 1999 to promote performing arts opportunities for children and their families of the Appalachian Region of Virginia, Kentucky, and Tennessee. The programs and activities offered, attempt to reach those groups who are not regularly exposed to live theatrical performances or have opportunities to develop their talent. ACT provides a professional theater experience as well as art education for both the audience and the theater participants. ACT's performances entertain, enhance and educate our participants. In 2000 501 (c) 3 status was obtained and ACT became a non-profit theater and began to expand services to children of the area with other theatrical programs in the school and community.

Appalachian Children's Theatre has begun another new and exciting addition to the organization. ACT has now included an arts center which will serve four counties and the City of Norton with quality art education. Due to the regions secluded location, for most of the population access to arts programs is limited. ACT wants to provide the youth and adults of the region with more than a brief encounter, they want to offer a continual, quality art education program for the entire region. Not every child in the areas school systems take part in extra curricular activities associated with the schools. Students do not stop learning when the bell rings at the end of the schoolday - they just change teachers that is why ACT strives to offer a variety of different types of classes. We have adult programs for those families in the area seeking quality art education not only for their children but for themselves as well. We want to work toward making our arts center a shining spot in arts education in Southwest Virginia. ACT has achieved that with the Children's Theater and we are using the same enthusiasm and determination to achieve our goals in art education.