At the Arkansas Forensics and Debate State Championships at Central High School in Little Rock on April 12-13, Bentonville theatre teacher Brandon Box-Higdem vacated his role as president of the state’s communication and theatre arts association after three years.

In addition to serving a traditional two-year term as president of the Arkansas Communication & Theatre Arts Association (ACTAA), Box-Higdem accepted the position a year and a half early following the resignation of his predecessor due to medical concerns.

Under Box-Higdem’s leadership, the Arkansas Communication & Theatre Arts Association (ACTAA) underwent significant positive changes, including a rebranding, the adoption of core values, equity and vision statements, restructuring of the Board of Directors, and the association’s 501(c)3 status, setting a promising trajectory for the future.

“Providing more opportunities for underrepresented voices will be the hallmark of his tenure,” remarked incoming ACTAA President Zackery Tucker. “Brandon’s leadership has been focused on providing more opportunities for members to be engaged in the business of ACTAA and to highlight our state’s talented students.”

Since reorganizing as a speech and drama teachers’ organization in 1936, the presidential gavel passes leaders during the awards ceremony at the state tournament in April. Zackery Tucker, dean of students at Arkansas State University - Beebe, assumed a two-year term as ACTAA President at the ceremony.

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The Arkansas Communication and Theatre Arts Association (ACTAA) is a non-profit professional organization serving educators. Its purpose is to promote communication, debate, forensics and theatre as an essential discipline, life skill, and art form. Additionally, ACTAA is the official sanctioning organization authorized by the Arkansas Activities Association (AAA) and National Federation of State High Schools Association (NFHS) to govern interscholastic speech and debate competition in Arkansas.