Dallas Childrens Theater

Dct's Theater production season offers 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 and current conversations relating to social issues. Dct offers musicals, dramas and everything in between to delight and inspire all ages. Dct annually reaches an average of over 60,000 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 children and families that do not naturally think of Theater as a top form of entertainment for various reasons including historic racial disparities, and for title 1 schools. Productions adapted for children with sensory sensitivities continue to be a part of the season as well. 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.

Dct's educational programs include the dct academy which offers year-round classes to more than 2,100 children, ages 3-18. In-person 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 also has dedicated sensory-friendly classes. 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 1,600 students. Scholarship opportunities are offered so that dct class offerings are affordable and accessible to all.