With more than 50 combined years of regional and educational theater experience under their belts, Christopher and Petra Karr officially launched ACT 1 Theatre Productions in 2008. They rented a tiny office in downtown Sumner, WA just a hop, skip and a jump from Heritage Park and the train tracks. During this initial phase, ACT 1 performed at the Puyallup Elks Lodge, The Old Cannery Furniture Warehouse (both inside and under the big tent) and, most often, in Heritage Park.

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In 2011 ACT 1 acquired warehouse space in Sumner, converted it to a studio where they created an intimate black box theater experience.

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In 2012, the theater company was awarded 501(c)3 non-profit status by the IRS.

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ACT 1 moved their performance space from Sumner to Puyallup's historic Liberty Theater in 2015. In 2018 they moved to Tacoma and established residence at Urban Grace: The Downtown Church in Tacoma's Theater District.

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In April 2020, Artistic Director Petra Karr passed away amid the COVID-19 pandemic. ACT 1 has decided to transition to an endowment fund to honor Petra's memory and legacy.

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