As of May 16, 2025, ATC was officially informed that their beloved director Krista Manfredi would not be returning the following school year. This was saddening news as Mrs Manfredi had been a mentor to thousands of Athens students since 1974.

The Problem.

We were informed that Athens theater company would not gain a new director and that ATC & TTE would combine for the spring musical, and the director of Troy Theatre ensemble would run both companies. 24 hours after the email from the TSD was sent to explaining that the lack of numbers was the cause, a Schoology group invite was sent out with information on the spring musical that would run under TTC.

We want the truth.

Students and parents were told of low participation in winter 2024. Shrek done by ATC had over 50 cast members as White Christmas done by TTE had over 30. This spring, God‘s favorite done by ATC had over 40 actors and Midsummer Night’s Dream done by TTE had a select cast as the show requires which caused a smaller cast. We want the truth of reasoning behind the combination of our theaters because low participation is clearly not the answer. 

We want fair treatment.

While we were being treated relatively fairly, we are finding out crucial information about us as a company, and our director after it has been passed through everyone else. It is not fair that we do not have a say in own company.

We want ATC traditions.

See, Krista Manfredi. Her legacy should not just be ripped from her by people who understand her mentorship. The events that took place in the theater cannot be replaced by a person that doesn’t understand what the companies ideals are. We have our own traditions like energy, our own thespian society, tech dinners, riffs, and a lot more. All of these traditions are going to be covered up by the TTE directors and will not show ATC’s character anymore.

The main reason for this petition is to get ATC their own and sole director.