According to Dallas Children’s Theater’s management team Robyn Flatt, Artie Olaisen, Nancy Schaeffer and Sandra Session-Robertson,
“Our wish at Dallas Children’s Theater is to bring the magic of live professional theater to all families in the Dallas area. We regularly hear from first-time patrons that they had no idea their children could be impacted so tremendously by the experience. We know that live theater opens up a young person’s imagination in a way nothing else can, and it is our desire to do our part to eliminate any barrier children have to participation – whether it’s cost, a cultural difference or a special need.
Show day during Dallas Children’s Theater’s Academy classes*
“For many families, especially those with multiple children, the idea of an outing to the theater is cost prohibitive. Even though many Dallas children experience one show a year through the Student Matinee Performance Series, we want families to be able to experience a production together. That’s when the valuable conversations begin on the ride home and lasting family memories are made. DCT relies on individual, corporate and foundation donations in order to keep our ticket prices low while maintaining the professional quality, high-spectacle productions audiences have come to expect, and that every audience deserves.
“Dallas is a multicultural community, and we wish to serve everyone so that our entire city remains rich with artistic experience. Research proves that children who are exposed to the arts grow into healthy adults who continue to appreciate and support arts and culture and contribute to the workforce in unique and immeasurable ways. We gladly accept our role in nurturing these creative spirits.
Reception for the Dallas Children’s Theater’s special sensory friendly performance of “Fancy Nancy”**
“With the help of a generous donation from The Crystal Charity Ball, we have been able to expand our Sensory-Friendly programming. This allows us to set aside a performance that is specially designed for families of children with autism, Down syndrome, or other sensory processing disorders. Our wish is to ensure that these plays and classes are sustained for these families for a lifetime.
“Our wish is that all Dallas children know Dallas Children’s Theater as a place for them to express themselves and fully engage in the creative dramatics experience. These wishes take a commitment from community partners and individuals who want every child to experience award-winning professional theater designed for families. We are so grateful to all the partnerships that have propelled us towards our goals for over thirty seasons and we can’t wait to see the future generations at the theater with your help.
Young patrons treating Dallas Children’s Theater like home*
“To get in on the act of supporting theater arts for young people, you can make a donation here: http://www.dct.org/involved/give/”
-By Robyn Flatt, Artie Olaisen, Nancy Schaeffer and Sandra Session-Robertson, the Dallas Children’s Theater management team
* Photo credit: Karen Almond ** Photo credit: Lawrence Jenkins