Writing for Spotlight

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We welcome ideas and completed articles for Spotlight, the official publication of the American Association of Community Theatre. 

Spotlight features a wide variety of informational topics, as well as the personal stories of those who work, play, live, and breathe theatre. Spotlight articles are positive and motivating. Their main purpose can be informative, instructive, or inspirational, but the goal is to give the reader something they can apply to their own theatre work. 

If you are not familiar with the magazine we suggest you view both current and past issues of the magazine to get a feel for its style and content. Our submission form can also be used for questions you might have.

Spotlight is published quarterly and distributed to 1,800 organizational and individual members, and is also available to members and non-members for viewing online. The Spring issue is mailed to over 7,500 community theatre contacts around the country.

Article Topics & Types

• “How-to” – share a success story AND describe how others can use your model
• Arts advocacy – supporting arts on a local, regional, and national level
• Artistic vision – selecting a season, directorial decisions
• Development – raising funds, branding
• Marketing – selling tickets, social media
• Technical theatre – solving challenges in sets, lighting, costumes, stage management, etc.
• Producing - rights, royalties
• Society & activism - making a difference in the world through theatre
• Other potential topics include directing, musical theatre, educational programs, arts administration, working with volunteers, diversity & inclusion
• Or suggest your own topic, based on your own unique passions, experiences, and area of professional expertise.

SUBMISSION Guidelines

• All submissions must be original content to which you own the rights.
• Word count is flexible, generally 600-1000 words
• Choose a great title: Think about the reader and what they’re looking to learn, discover, achieve, or the problem they want to solve, and then write your title to clearly speak to their need.
• Use a captivating opening statement: The opening paragraph should be engaging, telling the reader what they are about to experience and making them want to read on.
• Subheadings: Split up content with relevant subheadings to make it easier for readers to follow the logical flow of ideas.
• Actionable items: Prompt the reader to consider the topic in relation to their own situation, and, where possible, include one or more practical tips that the reader can begin applying in their theatre work.
• Fact-check your article and provide sources for all your information not springing from your own experience.
• Images: You are welcome to include photos and graphics with your article. Please provide high-resolution images and include the source of the image. Include captions and identification of persons in photos, as well as photographer credit.
• Links to sources and related websites can be included within the article, or as a footnote.
• Salacious, hypercritical, or negative content is not accepted.

>> Submit Your Queries

If you have an idea for an article, feel free to fill out our form and in a few sentences, explain the scope of your article, and how you intend to approach it.  If you have photographs or graphics to accompany the piece, state that as well.

>> Submit Your Article 

Be sure to include the article text with title, images to support your article, and a brief bio (50 words or less), as well as your headshot photo. You may also include links to your website or social media account.

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