Enrollment openings available at ACT for 2026-27
WILLIMANTIC — EASTCONN’s Arts at the Capitol Theater (ACT) magnet high school has a limited number of seats available for Fall 2026 enrollment. Academically motivated students in grades 9-12 from across eastern Connecticut are encouraged to apply for this distinctive opportunity to pursue intensive study in the performing arts. The school’s recent string of achievements in film, creative writing, and other artistic disciplines demonstrates its commitment to nurturing exceptional young talent.
Located in the historic Capitol Theater in downtown Willimantic, ACT offers a NEASC-accredited program that weaves rigorous academics together with immersive, professional-level arts education. Students learn from both certified academic teachers and working professional artists in an intimate, collaborative setting — with an average of just 35 students per grade.
“ACT students don’t just study the arts – they practice them at a professional level while they’re still in high school,” said ACT Principal Sarah Mallory. “When a student wins a film festival award, publishes a university literary journal, or steps onto a real stage in a 1920s-era theater, that’s not a simulation of real life. That’s the real thing. We’re proud to offer that kind of experience to students from across eastern Connecticut.”
ACT students choose from seven specialized arts pathways: Acting, Creative Writing, Dance, Integrated Arts & Management, Media Arts, Music, and Technical Theater (sets, lighting and costuming). The school’s distinctive facility provides daily access to professional-grade resources, including a fully equipped theater, scene shop, modern audio/video editing suites, spacious dance studios, and a comprehensive costume shop — enabling students to produce work of genuine professional quality.
That quality shows in results. ACT students regularly earn recognition in prestigious competitions and venues, including Young Writers publications, Scholastic’s Art & Writing Awards, DMV-Travelers’ Teen Safe Driving Video Contest, and the Quiet Corner Film Festival. Student work has appeared in university publications and public performances, giving ACT graduates a portfolio of real-world experience before they leave high school.
Through an ongoing partnership with Eastern Connecticut State University (ECSU), eligible upperclassmen can earn free credits by taking university courses while completing their ACT education. The partnership also connects students to ECSU’s literary festivals and cultural events, deepening their engagement with the broader arts community.
Prospective students can still apply at www.eastconn.org/act. Limited seats are still available; the application process should be completed as soon as possible.
EASTCONN, ACT’s administering organization, is a public, non-profit Regional Educational Service Center that has served northeastern Connecticut’s educational needs since 1980. Learn more at www.eastconn.org.
