AS LISTED BY BACKSTAGE MAGAZINE

“Top 12 Children’s Theaters Across the U.S.”

Performing for a live audience builds confidence, inspires creativity, and encourages teamwork no matter one’s age, but for some youngsters it can plant a seed that will grow into a lifelong passion. Whether a healthy hobby or the beginning of a wonderful career, children’s theater is alive and well. Here are some amazing companies that nurture young performers all over the country!

Children’s Theatre Company (L.A. and NYC)
This educational theater organization uses the performing arts to “fill the gap” in school curriculums, focusing on the seven C’s of learning: character building, collaboration, creativity, community service, current affairs, critical thinking, and citizenship. The company develops original, instructive musicals for kids and brings them to resident schools and after-school programs nationwide; CTC shows include titles like “Rescue Me: A Musical History of Women” and “Queen Kunka Bunka and the Rotten Royal Rascals.” With a flagship company in New York and over nine resident chapters all over the United States, Children’s Theatre Company “builds character onstage” for over 4,000 youngsters nationwide.

“Mature words that sound all the more stirring when uttered by young voices.
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— Laurel Graeber, NY Times
“A colorful and lighthearted way of teaching children about the dangers of prejudice. One of New York’s most successful working models of ‘unity in diversity’.
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— Barbara Aria, Time Out
“Children’s Theatre Company was created because I was inspired by the concept of artists-in-service who are dedicated to themes of social awareness, I was indeed starving as an actor but not physically starving, rather spiritually starving. This company feeds the souls of many, not just the kids, but even artists like me.”
— Mehr Mansuri, Artistic Director and Founder of Children's Theatre Company
“The balance you create — between seriousness and humor, roots of power and flights of optimism, intellect and unabashed joy — is exquisite. What you are doing is truly wonderful and you should be very proud of your efforts and accomplishments.
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— Harry Belafonte.

COMPANY BIO

Nationally acclaimed, CTC has made several appearances on Good Morning America participating in dialogue on the impact of war on children and encouraging literacy in the nation, and has been selected as the official spokespeople for UNICEF/FOX Kids literacy and girls’ education television campaigns. CTC has performed with the likes of Harry Belafonte andWynton Marsalis, including special performances for Nelson Mandelaat the United Nations. The group has received rave reviews from the NY Board of Education and has also appeared on Sesame Street, CNN, Live with Regis and Kelly, were honored with the Verizon Literacy Award 2002 and performed Casey at the Bat with James Earl Jones at the American Airlines Theatre.

Children's Theatre Company is a non-profit organization that provides not only a creative haven for children through theatre and arts, but also a 'think-tank' where values such as peace, racial harmony, and unity in diversity are explored and indeed, celebrated. CTC maintains a resident of child actors and artists, performing and exhibiting their work in a rotating repertory of musical plays and exhibitions housed at the Baha’i Unity Center’s John Birks Gillespie Auditorium in Greenwich Village, which the group received as a space grant. Named for Dizzy Gillespie, it is a fabulous 141-seat red-velvet proscenium theatre. While developing their talents, children also confront and examine themes and issues, which face humanity and the world, which they will inherit. CTC's goal is to provide each child an honest, reverent, relevant, and challenging artistic experience.

For audition information

Visit: www.childrenstheatrecompany.org  OR Call: 212-633-6629.