In celebration of ACT’s Tenth Anniversary in 2020, the building at 405 Main St. in North Little Rock’s Argenta Arts District has been officially re-named The Judy Kohn Tenenbaum Argenta Community Theater in honor of ACT Co-Founder and matriarch, Judy Kohn Tenenbaum, affectionately known by actors, crew members staff and students as “Mama Judy.” The vision and generosity of Judy and her dear friend and co-founder Vincent Insalaco over the theater’s first ten years has fueled the growth of the Argenta Community Theater from a seed of an idea to a strongly cemented cornerstone in the central Arkansas arts community. With education and community outreach as the pillars of ACT’s growth and development, Judy has nurtured the growth of this institution that has come to mean so much to so many. Judy passed unexpectedly in June of 2021, and we are grateful that this institution stands as a monument to her commitment to the arts and her community.
Located at 405 Main Street, in the heart of North Little Rock’s Argenta Arts District, the Argenta Community Theater serves as a centerpiece of a vibrant artistic community. From crowd-pleasing musicals to vibrant new works to theatrical classics, there is truly something for everyone to love on the ACT stage. But, there is so much more to this state of the art facility than just our top-notch plays and musicals! Argenta also coordinates educational programs for all ages, hosts community and cultural events, and is available as a flexible venue for weddings, events, performances and more. Founded in 2010 by Vincent Insalaco and Judy Tenenbaum, The Argenta Community Theater strives to bring performance and participation in the arts to Central Arkansas now, and for generations to come.
The Argenta Community Theater (ACT) is a non-profit organization committed to serving the community through education and advancement of the performing arts. Through its facilities, ACT also seeks to strengthen cooperation among non-profits within the community.
Founded in 2010 by Vincent Insalaco and Judy Tenenbaum, The Argenta Community Theater has made a name for itself as a destination for local theater at a very high quality. Thousands of audience members have been treated to professional quality performances produced by friends and neighbors from right here in Central Arkansas.
ACT’s inaugural production, Cabaret, was produced in 2012, with direction by Bob Hupp, then the producing artistic director of the Arkansas Repertory Theater. ACT has gone on to produce well received and critically acclaimed musicals and plays, including the world premier stage adaptation of the academy award winning film Mrs. Miniver in 2015, the original musical During Wind and Rain in 2017 and a yearly production of an original adaptation of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol. Argenta has made a name for itself as a destination for outstanding theater, but that is just one facet of our varied mission.
ACT also conducts a robust education outreach program, with our ACTing Up summer camp being the flagship. Beginning in 2014, students from across Central Arkansas have gathered for a two-week summer intensive in acting, music, dance and film at our signature educational program. Over the years our educational program has expanded to include the PACT scholarship program in conjunction with University of Arkansas Pulaski Technical College, the Second ACT program for adult theatrical education, and our daytime student Lunch & Learn performances for area students.
The Argenta Community Theater also seeks to collaborate with area non profit organizations, artistic institutions and charitable endeavors to further enrich the community we inhabit and serve. Over the years, we have partnered with organizations like Arkansas Enterprises for the Developmentally Disabled, SeisPuentes, The Arkansas Repertory Theater, Thea Foundation, ACANSA Arts Festival of the South, Opera in the Rock, Laman Library and many, many more. Here at Argenta, we believe that our collaboration with these and many other organizations doing great work in Central Arkansas allows all of us to expand our reach to serve those who need it most.
*Jeremy Ables, CPA – Treasurer
Christian Gwatney Baker
Dr. Arnessa Bennett
Price Feland – Legal Counsel
Fletcher Hanson
Sharon Heflin
*Vincent Insalaco – Co-Founder, Producing Artistic Director
*Judge Paula Juels Jones
Denise Karl
Janna Knight
*Michael Marion, Board Chair
Cori Tenenbaum McGrath
Greg Nabholz
*Christen Pitts – ACT Board Director of Education
Dr. Chad Rodgers
Representative Jamie Scott
Mandy Shoptaw
*Sydney Wolfe – Ex Officio
Honorary Board Member: Mary Steenburgen
Founding Board Chair: Judy Kohn Tenenbaum
*Indicates member of the executive committee
We will post employment opportunities as they become available.
Please email info@argentacommunitytheater.org if you have any questions.
