Dallas Children's Theater Blog

Astonishing Kids And Families With The Fun of Broadway-Like Plays and A Lot More!

Helping Children Find Their Place in the World

DCT helps students like Campbell connect to their creativity!

Mom Stephanie shares Campbell’s experience at DCT:

“I don’t think I can count the number of activities we’ve quit.

Dance, soccer, Girl Scouts. The list is long, and finding the right fit for your child is an even lengthier process.

But for the past 10 weeks, Campbell has participated in an acting class. She wrote lines, she painted scenery, she came up with her character (appropriately named Uni-Kitty).

And today, she performed.

She got on stage with bright lights and lots of onlookers, and from the front row, I watched a little girl who used to speak only in scripts deliver a new kind of script with ease.

Today, I became an even bigger fan than I already was. Campbell/Uni-Kitty, you are a star.

I will always be cheering you on.

#autism #girlswithautism #autismmom”

Stephanie Hanrahan

North Texas Giving Day is tomorrow, and we ask you to consider what Dallas Children’s Theater means to your family and the community as a whole. Each donation makes an incredible difference and means the world to us!

Early giving is open now, so you can visit our page anytime to make your donation!
Photos courtesy of Stephanie Hanrahan

Inspiring Future Generations with Art and Representation

The magic of live theater is even more inspiring when we see ourselves onstage…and for actors, the experience goes both ways.

Actor Monalisa Amidar shares her experience on the DCT stage!

“Today on THE LION, THE WITCH, & THE WARDROBE’s opening day, we had over 300 second graders from 3 different Dallas ISD schools. Growing up in the Philippines, I didn’t have access to community theater, much less, professional theater. I later learned as an adult that, while it’s a tad more accessible now, theater arts as a recreational/leisurely activity in the Philippines is, to put it simply, something reserved mostly for the elites & those with existing connection to the arts. Back then in Manila, I first did what I didn’t know was theater-streetside-ha!-storytelling-in alleyways, on the sidewalks, on our neighbors’ front steps with my fellow street urchin friends lol…Dancing & creating & sharing stories were my fave pastimes.

It’s not lost on me that this morning when I looked out & waved back at hundreds of wide-eyed 7-8 yr. old guests, at least half were glowing black & brown faces. It was their first ever class field trip & I’ll never forget & take for granted their enthusiasm & wonder & glee AT. EVERY. SINGLE. THING. They were cheering, gasping, chattering, clapping, reacting, living! For at least one child of immigrants, it was the best day of their life & I got to be part of making that happen. I can’t wait to do it again tomorrow.”

– Monalisa Amidar (pictured center with serving tray)

 

 North Texas Giving Day is coming up this month, and we ask you to consider what Dallas Children’s Theater means to your family and the community as a whole. Each individual donation makes an incredible difference and means the world to us!

Early giving is open now, so you can visit our page anytime to make your donation!

Photos by: Joseph Haubert and Karen Almond

The Case for Junie B.

Growing up Junie B.

I’ve been privy to some “behind the scenes” conversations about kids via teachers of kindergarteners through fourth grade, and the one thing I’ve learned is that these kids are ALL so very different. As DCT prepares for JUNIE B.’s ESSENTIAL SURVIVAL GUIDE TO SCHOOL, I think about all the kindergarteners and first graders I know, and she is just like them – very different.

In the early Junie B. books, Junie B. is a kindergartener. Kindergarten is like the adolescence of childhood in that it’s a big transition from being a baby to being a kid. Your brain is in overdrive as it takes in information from every direction, and Junie B. is smart and confident, and eager to use her new information as soon as possible. She doesn’t always think things through before she acts on them, but that’s part of being a kid that just finished being a preschooler. She’s a work in progress.

In our new JUNIE B. play, Junie B. is now a “mature” first grader, more aware of her actions, and eager to impart her hard-won knowledge. She has new glasses, new friends, and newer insecurities – she’s at that awkward stage of life where she’s really learning to compare herself to others, and learning when to step in or out of the spotlight. She’s wants to be the outright best at absolutely everything – all world-wise and knowledgeable…at age six. Like many first graders, she wants to help, but doesn’t always want to listen. Kids don’t always know what to do with anger or jealousy; especially a kid like Junie B. who marches to her own beat. In JUNIE B.’s ESSENTIAL SURVIVAL GUIDE TO SCHOOL, we see her most “horrid” self in the form of the bull, El Toro Fabuloso: a character she’s created to represent her temper. Much as she tries to use this character to take responsibility for those complicated feelings, it’s Junie B. herself that has to learn to manage them. Here begins the journey of the lesson she must learn.

One of the things I hear when teachers are talking about kids is, “She’s got a MOUTH on her!” This could mean many things. Some of the kids just outright cuss like sailors, but more often than not, it’s about back-talk. I’ll be frank, Junie B. is sassy sometimes, and her mouth often works faster than her brain. This is when we have to be reminded of how young children learn vocabulary. I go into a kindergarten classroom and everything is labeled. Chair.Table.Desk.Door. You get the idea.

The elements that aren’t labeled are feelings, concepts, ideas; the things that are inside that we can’t see. These things are more difficult to communicate, especially when our vocabulary is new and limited. This is when an eager, outspoken kid like Junie B. reaches for the newly-acquired vocabulary words she knows. They don’t always fit, but again, Junie B. is a bit of a square peg.

The cool thing about Junie B. is she doesn’t mind a bit. She’s fine with being different, and that’s one of the best lessons we can learn from her. She surrounds herself with colorful, multi-faceted friends who are as different as she is, and they remind us how balanced our Junie B. really is. If we could all have non-judging friends like Junie B.!

She has a lot to learn, as all five and six-year-olds do, and our kids will have so much fun watching her make mistakes. My kids will sneak a peek at me while they’re laughing to see if I just noticed what she said and if it’s okay that they laughed. I’ll smile at them. Then, we’ll have a great conversation about how she fixed her mistakes, and how we have to think before we act and even think before we speak, because words and attitudes are important. I think Junie B. can teach this to our kids much more powerfully than a lecture on behavior.

JUNIE B.’s ESSENTIAL SURVIVAL GUIDE TO SCHOOL is a great alternative to a lecture, filled with all the parts of growing up – a young kid on the road to discovering the recipe that is her life and who she is. As parents and onlookers, let’s remember to do what we can to give them the freedom they need to ultimately get it right. Running September 24 to October 30. You’ll have to see it to find out what happens with El Toro Fabuloso. Get your tickets today at dct.org.

Originally written by Sherry Ward and updated by Joanna Coogan.


JUNIE B.’s ESSENTIAL SURVIVAL GUIDE TO SCHOOL
Book & Lyrics by Marcy Heisler, Music by Zina Goldrich
Adapted from the Junie B. Jones series of books by Barbara Park
Directed by Nancy Schaeffer

September 24 – October 30
Recommended for ages 5 and up

Listen up, I tell you! Junie B. Jones is back, and she’s got some advice to give…eventually. It was her brilliant idea to put together a survival guide for next year’s students, but now she’s at a total loss for what to add to it! It doesn’t help that all her friends are full of cool ideas and dance numbers. How’s a girl supposed to deal with all this competition? Hilariously, of course! In this musical extravaganza great for back-to-school time, Junie B. Jones learns some important lessons about school, patience, and personal growth. This play is perfect for fans of Junie B. and newcomers alike!

Nana Moments: JUNIE B.’s ESSENTIAL SURVIVAL GUIDE TO SCHOOL

In JUNIE B.’s ESSENTIAL SURVIVAL GUIDE TO SCHOOL, Junie B. receives her first grade report card, and immediately attempts to bury it in the backyard. We learn that her grades were just fine, but she had several checks in behavior­ from trying to be the center of attention when it wasn’t her turn. Junie B. is mortified, both that her actions have caught up to her, and that there are — for the first time in her recent memory — areas of her life that need improvement. Only with the help of her mother and Grandpa Miller is Junie B. able to face the parts of herself that she would much rather keep buried underneath the neighbor’s begonias.

Everyone, at all ages, has experienced shame – but not everyone has had help in dealing with it. Ironically, the antidote to shame is exactly what people sitting in shame fear the most: connection. It takes great bravery to admit to a fault or mistake, but it can be one of the most bonding experiences when shared between generations. It is as revealing as it is humorous to see yourself in the generations after you, and the usefulness of a grandparent’s perspective in dealing with these complex feelings cannot be overstated. As Junie B.’s own Grandpa Miller is always ready with a lemon pie and a teasing story about himself or Junie’s mother, we must also be ready to share the parts of ourselves that we were told need improvement too.

Now here’s an exercise you can share with your own brilliant troublemaker. Remember, there is joy in sharing the little embarrassments that have shaped us; they help us grow. Have a grandparent or older loved one fill out the right side, and a child fill out the left. Don’t forget to compare the finished product!


JUNIE B.’s ESSENTIAL SURVIVAL GUIDE TO SCHOOL
Book & Lyrics by Marcy Heisler, Music by Zina Goldrich
Adapted from the Junie B. Jones series of books by Barbara Park
Directed by Nancy Schaeffer
September 24 – October 30
Recommended for ages 5 and up
Listen up, I tell you! Junie B. Jones is back, and she’s got some advice to give…eventually. It was her brilliant idea to put together a survival guide for next year’s students, but now she’s at a total loss for what to add to it! It doesn’t help that all her friends are full of cool ideas and dance numbers. How’s a girl supposed to deal with all this competition? Hilariously, of course! In this musical extravaganza great for back-to-school time, Junie B. Jones learns some important lessons about school, patience, and personal growth. This play is perfect for fans of Junie B. and newcomers alike!
Later this season…Make plans to see this play that celebrates the wisdom of a grandparent…
LAST STOP ON MARKET STREET
Winner of the 2016 Newbery Medal
By Matt de la Peña, Illustrated by Christian Robinson
Adapted by Gloria Bond Clunie
Directed by vickie washington
March 18 – April 2, 2023
Recommended for ages 4 and up
On a Sunday after church in a bustling, ethnically and culturally diverse American city, CJ and his Nana board the public bus for their weekly trip across town to help out at a soup kitchen. Along the way, CJ notices the many differences among people and asks tons of curious questions: Why don’t we have a car? How come that man can’t see? How come it’s always so dirty over there? How?…Why?…With Nana’s fearless and compassionate guidance, CJ discovers that everyone and everything has a unique rhythm and purpose; that the world’s got answers if we listen with more than our ears and see with more than our eyes. This inspiring and imaginative play is based on The New York Times bestseller that won a Newbery Medal, Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honor, and a Caldecott Honor.

Junie B. photo by Karen Almond.

JUNIE B.’s ESSENTIAL SURVIVAL GUIDE TO SCHOOL produced through special arrangement with Music Theatre International www.MTIshows[dot]com. LAST STOP ON MARKET STREET produced by special arrangement with GURMAN AGENCY, LLC, a theatrical literary agency. www.gurmanagency[dot]com; logo courtesy of Penguin Random House LLC.

Ready for back-to-school time? Don’t forget Junie B’s Essentials…


The BORING stuff

This includes, and is not limited to: washable glue, a ruler, tissues, erasers, #2 pencils, and safety scissors.


 

A COOL backpack

Now we’re getting somewhere!

 


Clothes

Wear whatever you want, as long as you wear something!

 


Band-aids

You definitely don’t want to forget these!


Tickets to JUNIE B.’S ESSENTIAL SURVIVAL GUIDE TO SCHOOL at Dallas Children’s Theater

With ticket prices as low as $15 dollars and LIVE advice from Junie B. Jones herself – tickets to DCT are a fun and EXCITING back-to-school necessity!


JUNIE B.’s ESSENTIAL SURVIVAL GUIDE TO SCHOOL
Book & Lyrics by Marcy Heisler, Music by Zina Goldrich
Adapted from the Junie B. Jones series of books by Barbara Park
Directed by Nancy Schaeffer

September 24 – October 30
Recommended for ages 5 and up

Listen up, I tell you! Junie B. Jones is back, and she’s got some advice to give…eventually. It was her brilliant idea to put together a survival guide for next year’s students, but now she’s at a total loss for what to add to it! It doesn’t help that all her friends are full of cool ideas and dance numbers. How’s a girl supposed to deal with all this competition? Hilariously, of course! In this musical extravaganza great for back-to-school time, Junie B. Jones learns some important lessons about school, patience, and personal growth. This play is perfect for fans of Junie B. and newcomers alike!

Helpful Resources for Children and Those Who Care For Them

 Helpful Resources for Children and Those Who Care For Them

If you are looking for resources to help you talk to your child about recent tragedies, you might refer to some of these links contained in this blog. Mostly curated by our national Theater for Young Audiences organization, we are hopeful that this information might be helpful to our dear parents, community supporters and caregivers who have both the burden and the privilege of surrounding these precious young lives with love and support.

As Nelson Mandela said: 

“Let us reach out to the children. Let us do whatever we can to support their fight to rise above their pain and suffering….”

Sesame Street on Violence

Child Mind Institute – Helping Children Cope with Frightening News

What Can Parents Say to Children About School Shootings

 Fred Rogers: Helping Children with Tragic Events in the News

National Child Traumatic Stress Network – Helping Children with Traumatic Grief

Coping Tips for Traumatic Events and Disasters from SAMHSA

Critical Incident Stress Information Sheet from the International Critical Incident Stress Foundation with signs and symptoms of stress

image credit: unsplash

10 SECONDS: Make a date to see this powerful play!

Get to know Richard Quadri – director of 10 Seconds

How would you describe Richard?

Richard is a highly dedicated theatre artist, educator, and administrator. When he isn’t teaching, directing, or in staff meetings, he divides his time between his family, completing his master’s degree in educational leadership, and exploring and contributing to the Dallas arts community. Richard is a fierce advocate for students, teachers, and those who support them. He champions equity and equality in not only education, but all aspects of life, and he is fiercely passionate about the need for arts education.

Why do you like working with young people?

Youth perspectives are brimming with imaginative ideas and innovative ways of thinking. Half the time young people don’t even realize that they are being creative. As a children’s advocate and educator, it is my duty to help young people navigate their way to the highest level of creative freedom and expression they can achieve.

What strikes you most about this script?

The script’s sensitivity to questioning all elements of the given circumstances. Officer Kent, Jimi, and even Officer Leland could be singled out and have a great deal of blame placed upon them, but I believe that most fail to consider the unique perspectives of everyone involved. To quickly blame, we make snap judgments about each other, skipping any consideration of the circumstances context and the many variables leading up to the conflict. The script’s assertion that it takes more than 10 seconds to fully understand someone strikes me deeply.

What is your observation of young people as it relates to their views on social justice?

I’ve noticed that today’s younger generations are quite open-minded and accepting of people and cultures that are different from their own. There will always be those who follow in the footsteps of their parents and relatives, whether those ideals and beliefs are good or bad, but it appears that a growing number of young people are rejecting the dogmas of their older relatives in favor of forging their own paths and building their own identities. I find these young people incredibly impressive in their thinking.

What would you say to encourage adults to come see the show?

In what ways have you put yourself in the shoes of another? When was the last time you tried to understand another person’s point of view when you were at odds with them? The character flaw displayed in the now-famous “Karen” stereotype is that they never pause to consider the hardships the person they’re denigrating has or is currently enduring. A single goal occupies the mind of a Karen: getting exactly what they want. Anyone interested in experiencing what it’s like to acknowledge the presence of various points of view and truly explore the perspectives of other humans in their own lives should consider seeing this production.

The title of the play is 10 SECONDS.  Do you have an example of someone misjudging you in ten seconds that you are willing to share?

I am a six-foot-four African-American male member of the LGBTQIA+ community living in the United States. Misjudged is my middle name. I’m not interested in delving deeper into these moments.

Can you tell us about a time when you did the same to someone else? No.

What did both of the scenarios (in #5 and #6) teach you?

Human behaviors exist as a result of the circumstances of one’s life. Nearly eight billion lives are continuously colliding on this planet for better or worse. Perhaps things might go a bit more smoothly if we allow ourselves to walk in the shoes of another more often.

Would you share some of the techniques that you are employing to ensure the audience experiences all of the takeaways? 

With the resources we’ve been given, my objective is to make this as immersive of an experience as possible. The audience should perceive the world through Ray’s eyes. We hope that viewers are confronted with multiple perspectives as a result of Ray’s frequent asides and the connection he establishes with the audience, and that they leave with at least a sliver of the idea that judging a book by its cover is a very slippery slope, and that if we continue to champion ideas that allow society to impose stereotypes and judgment on others without making any attempts to see the world from their perspective, we may face disastrous consequences.


Buy tickets now!

Recommended for audiences ages 13 and up

Ray and Jimi are Washington DC high school students who are navigating their young adult worlds. Ray tells the story of a day and the 10 seconds inside that day, that they will never forget. We see not only their perspectives, but also those of the police they encounter. The play provides opportunities for reflection and discussion.

Each performance will be followed by a talkback facilitated by Visions for Change’s Denise Lee and Thomas Collier and will feature helpful subject matter resources from law enforcement and area youth groups. This play was originally commissioned by Imagination Stage in Bethesda, MD and was written by Miriam Gonzales. DCT’s play will be directed by Richard T. Quadri.

Partners: Dallas Children’s Theater, Dallas Police Department, Visions for Change


ATTEND   |   LISTEN   |   LEARN
Be a part of the solution!


This project is made possible thanks to
The Melinda and Jim Johnson Family
The MR and Evelyn Hudson Foundation
Neiman Marcus
North Texas Cares
Deborah and Craig Sutton/Rasa Floors
The March Family Foundation

10 SECONDS logo and photos: Courtesy of Imagination Stage.

A great adventure awaits…

At Dallas Children’s Theater (DCT), there is always something magical for you!

Inspired by the world-famous book series: The Chronicles of Narnia, we present THE LION, THE WITCH AND THE WARDROBE, a play that will transport you to the fantastic world of an eternal winter without Christmas.

In this staging, you will experience a great adventure with Peter, Susan, Edmund and Lucy: four intrepid siblings who, with the help of Aslan, the True King, will face the White Witch to restore hope to the kingdom of Narnia.

After the long COVID shutdown, DCT is excited to return to the mainstage with a completely immersive show…where the action happens all around you!

This extraordinary play promises to give the viewer goosebumps on more than one occasion. Between endearing characters, an incomparable visual aesthetic, and moments of pure magic; you will create unforgettable memories with your family and the other kindred spirits that surround you.

At Dallas Children’s Theater, we strive to make each visit a unique experience for our children; we believe in the importance of fostering a sense of belonging and helping each child see themselves (and their vivid imaginations) represented in our productions. This production delivers on all accounts.

Come see THE LION, THE WITCH AND THE WARDROBE at Dallas Children’s Theater. A great adventure awaits…

Written by Carolina Gutierrez

Carolina Gutierrez has a degree in Communications from the Universidad Iberoamericana Leon. The native of Guanajuato, México, has experience in journalism, cultural management, and digital marketing. Above all else, the theater has been the passion that has guided her life, beginning at the age of thirteen, both on and behind the stage. Currently, she serves as an apprentice at the Dallas Children’s Theater.

 

Who is the White Witch of Narnia?

Jadis the White Witch

Jadis is an ancient being who has turned Narnia into a frigid and cold place – always winter, but never Christmas.

She is actually the sole survivor from another world named Charn, where she destroyed all life by uttering a magic spell known as the Deplorable Word. She found her way out of this world and into Narnia at the time of its creation in the prequel book, The Magician’s Nephew, and has been a danger ever since.

Jadis is powerful, manipulative, and absolutely ruthless. Alongside her servants the Dwarf, and Fenris Ulf, the White Witch is determined to continue Narnia’s Long Winter forever…Will they succeed?


THE LION, THE WITCH AND THE WARDROBE
Adapted by Joseph Robinette
Based on the book by C.S. Lewis
Directed by Artie Olaisen

April 3 – May 15, 2022
Ages 7 and up

One of the most celebrated books in children’s literature and the #1 most requested DCT play returns to the stage to create a remarkable world of magic. Join young adventurers Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Lucy as they step through the not so ordinary wardrobe and into the mythical land of C.S. Lewis’ Narnia. Facing fantastic creatures and fierce battles in the heart and on the land, the four siblings must find the courage to battle the treacherous White Witch in order to end the deadly eternal winter in the beautiful forest. Guided by the all-knowing Lion, Aslan, these discoverers learn to cast aside their own fears to find the heroes within themselves.

Saturday, May 7, 4:30PM
Sunday, May 8, 1:30PM
Saturday, May 14, 1:30PM
Saturday, May 14, 4:30PM
Sunday, May 15, 1:30PM
Sunday, May 15, 4:30PM

photo credit: Karen Almond

What is going on with that wardrobe?

The Magic of the Wardrobe

Without the wardrobe, there wouldn’t be a story. But how did it end up in the Professor’s house?

That is a much longer story than what we can fit in a simple e-news, but we’ll give you a hint: Digory Kirk, or the Professor – as he’s called in the LION, THE WITCH AND THE WARDROBE – has been to Narnia before.

During his trip to Narnia in the prequel book, the Magician’s Nephew, he received a magic apple. After using the apple to cure his mother’s illness, he planted the core in his backyard. This apple would grow into a tall tree, which would later fall during a storm, and be made into a wardrobe by the Professor.

Of course, to the Professor, it is an ordinary wardrobe, but to Lucy, and later all the other Pevensie siblings…it still carries the magic of that apple from so long ago—the magic of Narnia.

In THE LION, THE WITCH AND THE WARDROBE, they will all experience that magic firsthand…


Join the Pevensies on this unforgettable adventure…

THE LION, THE WITCH AND THE WARDROBE
Adapted by Joseph Robinette
Based on the book by C.S. Lewis
Directed by Artie Olaisen

April 3 – May 15, 2022
Ages 7 and up

One of the most celebrated books in children’s literature and the #1 most requested DCT play returns to the stage to create a remarkable world of magic. Join young adventurers Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Lucy as they step through the not so ordinary wardrobe and into the mythical land of C.S. Lewis’ Narnia. Facing fantastic creatures and fierce battles in the heart and on the land, the four siblings must find the courage to battle the treacherous White Witch in order to end the deadly eternal winter in the beautiful forest. Guided by the all-knowing Lion, Aslan, these discoverers learn to cast aside their own fears to find the heroes within themselves.

photo credit: Karen Almond