Local Nonprofit Children's Theater Celebrates 4th Anniversary with its 75th Production

A Look Back as we prepare for our 75th Production, and our fourth birthday!

July 1, 2015

Elizabeth Ramirez

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Creative Kids Playhouse Children’s Theatre of Orange County was founded in July, 2011, with our first production, The Princess and the Pea, in November 2011. Today we are preparing for our 75th production, Hansel and Gretel, at Laguna Hills High School. It is interesting to look back to where we were, and how we have grown to where we are today.

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Our concept of education-based children’s theater was designed around what we wanted for our own children: quality theater education in a fun, nurturing environment. We wanted a place where rehearsal time, length, and structure were designed around what was best for the children, with a minimum of stress and inconvenience for the students and parents. We wanted an organization that moved the leads around, so that everyone eventually has a turn in a big part and gets a well-rounded theater education. We wanted a directing approach that allowed every performer to get a speaking part, and a moment in the spotlight no matter how small their part. We wanted the schedule and expectations clear and outlined before enrollment. We wanted age-appropriate scripts and character building themes. We wanted a theater company where the goal was not necessarily to get the child an agent, on TV, or to Broadway, but to give the child a great experience. We wanted each child met at their own level, appreciated, and given the tools to grow.

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The big question was whether or not our wholesome concept would be interesting to our community in Orange County, California, with its reputation for showy materialism. We rehearsed our first production at La Madera Elementary School in Lake Forest. We plastered the neighborhood with flyers, and stood outside the school waving signs for the two days before auditions, hoping to drum up interest. Twenty-eight students in grades K-6 enrolled, and we were on our way!

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Now we are preparing for our seventy-fifth production. We created a Tom Thumb Players troupe for 3-7 year olds. Our Excalibur Players, a troupe of sixth-tenth graders, produced our first Broadway Script this past spring. We produce school musicals for a number of public and private elementary and junior high schools, and we are marching again in the City of Lake Forest July 4 parade. All of our performances and rehearsals to date have been in schools, churches, and community centers, but we are thrilled to be in the early stages of fundraising for our own physical theater.

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We are humbled, honored, and delighted with the response that Orange County has given our original concept. Parents have shared countless stories with us about how participation in Creative Kids Playhouse has positively impacted their child’s life. The Orange County we have come to know is interested in developing children who are well rounded, confident, kind, and supportive of each other.

My favorite part of the past four years has been watching the faces of the adults in each of our audiences. The joy, love, and pride in their children is undeniable. This is a great world to live in, and watching our theater families fills me with hope for the future of our society. These wonderful kids are being equipped with leadership skills, and I will love living in the world they lead.