Memorable Moments at DCT:
Erin’s Dad, John, shares his perspective…Part 3
We want to thank all of you who are taking an opportunity during these challenging times to share your DCT stories with us. Erin and her parents are great examples of the impact DCT has had on so many families. Read on as young Erin quizzes her dad about his DCT memories…
How did you come to know about DCT?
“I came to know about DCT because my wife told me about it, and we started taking you and your brother there. I think we are really blessed to have such a great children’s theater in Dallas, and it’s a fun activity for everyone in the community.”
What is your earliest memory of going to DCT with me?
“I remember going to ‘The Mummy’s Claw’ with you and your brother, and you having a combination of loving it experience and also a being on the edge of your seats reaction. But, DCT works hard to make every kid have a positive experience, and by the time we left, you both wanted to see it again, and like all the performances, ‘The Mummy’s Claw’ was superb.”
Do you have a favorite moment at DCT?
“My favorite moment at the theater was pretty much at every performance we went to when you and your brother were little; when we got out of the theater at the end, and all the actors and 
actresses were accessible, and you two were able to meet people who were representing characters that you had grown to love during the performance. That ability to be able to engage with the actors behind the scenes was something that I really liked because I could see the joy in your eyes and your excitement.”
What do you think is different about seeing a show at DCT versus going to a movie or watching TV?
“I think it’s really different because there is more of a sense of community when you are watching a DCT production, and you see 
other people there that are really enjoying something that’s playing out in front of them in a very visceral way. Unlike at a movie theater where everyone is experiencing something individually at their seats, at DCT, there is way more of a sense of community both before the show , during the show, and after the show. At the end, you get to meet the actors and actresses, so you get a chance to become much more a part of what you are seeing.”
Why should families make DCT visits a priority?
“Families should make DCT visits a priority because it is a crown-jewel in Dallas that doesn’t exist in a lot of other cities. The type of 
shows that DCT is able to put on and how incredible they are, they are as good as any adult oriented performance you could see. The production values are super high, the people there care so much, and it’s more of a total experience. You aren’t just going there to witness something; you are able to engage. On top of that, there are all sorts of programs that they offer that allow children to really be able to engage more in the arts than just going to see performances. It’s something that is really unique, and we are super lucky to have it in Dallas, and people who don’t take advantage of that are missing out.”
Did you miss the first two posts? Catch up!
Memorable Moments: One Child’s Story
Memorable Moments: Erin’s Mom, Julie, shares her perspective
Production photo by Linda Blase. Additional photos courtesy of John Parolisi.
“I remember taking you to see ‘If You Give a Pig a Party’ at the start of the season when we moved here, and you loved it so much. It was celebratory, and it was funny. You and your brother talked about it in the car ride all the way home. You laughed about it, and it was great!”
of a show yourself. What I really liked over the course of the camp was that it brought you out of your shell, especially when you would tell me on the car ride home how excited you were about the costume, and how you came up with some crazy dog character. It just sounded really fun, and you would do the acting exercises in front of the mirror, especially the one with your hand going in front of your face and changing your expressions. So, I was just really excited to see you develop a passion.”
Why should families make DCT visits a priority?
Alamo Drafthouse is keeping busy, even when social distancing remains necessary. With a number of unique (not for kids!) titles available to stream for a price, you can pour yourself a drink, eat dinner, and have an Alamo Drafthouse experience right in the comfort of your own living room! They’ve been a supportive partner of Dallas Children’s Theater, so we are happy to show them a little love.
The Crow Museum of Asian Art is providing 15-minute mindful meditations. A few minutes of daily deep breathing will yield benefits for a lifetime. Also available, are unique interviews with artists in the Dallas area. Support your local museums and score yourself 15 minutes to get centered.
Up until the time that I was around five or six years old, I was very shy and introverted, and I did not like to talk in front of large groups of people. When my mom took my brother and I to our first Dallas Children’s Theater shows, I would never go up on stage during intermission to celebrate audience member’s birthdays, and I rarely ever greeted the cast members after the performances to get them to sign my playbill.
musical as a “rainbow-mermaid-puppy,” they actually went through their costume closets and created an outfit for me that resembled what I wanted as close as possible.
