Our history
In 1968, Myriam Langford, a professional actress who studied at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts and the Actor's Studio in New York, convinced the entertainment committee of the American Women's Club to try "something different." This resulted in a production of William Inge's Picnic at the Theatre de Poche, funded by the Women's Club and rehearsed in the basement of its clubhouse. Myriam's professionalism was teamed with accomplished amateur actor Charles Besterman.
Picnic won such rave reviews that Langford and Besterman were able to build on its success to create an independent, permanent theater company. Thus the American Theatre Company was born in 1969. They set off ambitiously in their first season to perform three demanding plays: Who's Afraid of Virginia Wolf, The Subject Was Roses, and Oh Dad, Poor Dad, Mama Hung You in the Closest and I'm Feelin' So Sad. Langford and Besterman set high standards of personal dedication and professionalism. Besterman once remarked that it was wrong to make a distinction between professional and amateur theater: "There is only good and bad theater."
Due to the success of our organization in producing "good theater" and thanks to the support of its members, the ATC, together with the English Comedy Club and the Irish Theatre Group, purchased its own resident studio theater and art complex in Schaerbeek. This allowed the company to produce more plays and elevate its professionalism.
The ATC is a frequent award winner at the annual Festival of European Anglophone Theatrical Societies (FEATS) competition, most recently earning the top honor of Best Show in 2013 and being nominated in every category.
Picnic won such rave reviews that Langford and Besterman were able to build on its success to create an independent, permanent theater company. Thus the American Theatre Company was born in 1969. They set off ambitiously in their first season to perform three demanding plays: Who's Afraid of Virginia Wolf, The Subject Was Roses, and Oh Dad, Poor Dad, Mama Hung You in the Closest and I'm Feelin' So Sad. Langford and Besterman set high standards of personal dedication and professionalism. Besterman once remarked that it was wrong to make a distinction between professional and amateur theater: "There is only good and bad theater."
Due to the success of our organization in producing "good theater" and thanks to the support of its members, the ATC, together with the English Comedy Club and the Irish Theatre Group, purchased its own resident studio theater and art complex in Schaerbeek. This allowed the company to produce more plays and elevate its professionalism.
The ATC is a frequent award winner at the annual Festival of European Anglophone Theatrical Societies (FEATS) competition, most recently earning the top honor of Best Show in 2013 and being nominated in every category.
Our mission and values
The American Theatre Company AISBL is an entirely voluntary and non-profit organization, driven by the passion of our volunteer members for creating outstanding theatrical works of art. Since our founding in 1969, our mission has been to present a variety of American plays covering a diversity of genres. Over the past 45 years, the ATC has become one of the pre-eminent amateur English-language theatre groups in the country. We continuously strive to increase the level of professionalism in our productions, and offer a balance between classic, modern, dramatic and comedic plays. To achieve our goal of presenting the highest-caliber amateur theatre in Brussels, the ATC is seeking the support of the business and cultural communities.
