Dallas Childrens Theater

Dct's Theater production season offers up to 10 plays for family audiences on a wide array of topics and themes, from favorite classics to works based on popular children'Childrens's literature to relevant, edgy teen issues. Dct offers musicals, dramas, puppet Theater, and everything in between to delight and inspire all ages. Dct annually reaches an average of over 86,000 persons through this offering; most significant are student matinee performances whereby student sponsors (districts or ptas) receive discounted tickets and free study guides are available online for curriculum-related activities. Dct also offers free or deeply discounted tickets to low-income children and families, and for title 1 schools. Productions adapted for children with sensory needs continue to be a part of the season as well. Dct continues its community engagement efforts through dct storytime, an initiative that takes elements of dct's professional plays out into the neighborhoods. Professional actors and teaching artists go into libraries and other community venues as a way of both introducing the concept of Theater to some audiences and creating a deeper connection between dct and others. Presentations can include performances, hands-on workshops, early script readings, play focus groups and much more. Recent visits include nexus recovery center, city square food on the move at park lane terrace apartments, trinity river mission and 25 libraries.

Dct on tour is a professional touring company performing annually for a diverse audience comprised of 125,000 to 145,000 students and families in over 60 cities throughout the us and canada. Known for presenting full-scale theatrical productions to every region, dct's tour provides exceptional, compelling Theater to all young people, especially in under-served rural and inner-city communities. In 2006, the tour traveled to china, representing the usa at the shanghai international children'Childrens's culture & arts expo. The touring company has performed at numerous prestigious theaters including the jfk center for the performing arts in Washington, dc and the tribeca performing arts center in new york city. The national endowment for the arts has designated dct on tour as an american masterpiece touring artist. The company has recently been called upon to provide sensory versions of their production throughout the country.

Dct's educational programs include the dct academy which offers year-round classes to more than 3,300 children, ages 3-18. Classes are offered in beginning to advanced Theater arts and taught by degreed Theater professionals with focus on the development of imagination, communication skills, collaborative problem-solving, and performance techniques. Dct now also has dedicated sensory-friendly classes to fall, spring and summer sessions. Additionally, after school drama classes are created and administered by dct to benefit youth through after-school satellite Theater arts programs. The curtains up on reading program is an in-school and summer program integrating drama, literature, language arts, social studies and history. Dct artists-in-residence collaborate with educators in Dallas area elementary schools to incorporate the arts into the core curriculum for over 2,000 students. Scholarship opportunities are offered so that dct class offerings are affordable and accessible to all.