Columbia Center for Theatrical Arts facts for kids
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| Formation | 1972 |
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| Type | Theatre group |
| Purpose | Musical Theatre, Youth program |
| Location |
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Artistic director(s)
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Toby Orenstein |
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Notable members
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Edward Norton, Caroline Bowman, Peter Salett |
The Columbia Center for Theatrical Arts (CCTA) is a special school for theater in Columbia, Maryland. It's known for teaching kids and teens about acting, singing, and dancing. CCTA is a non-profit group, which means it uses all its money to help its programs. It gets support from groups like the National Endowment for the Arts.
Contents
History of CCTA
CCTA started in 1972 as the Columbia School for Theatrical Arts. It was founded by Toby Orenstein, a talented theater director. A businessman named James Rouse asked Toby to create a theater school for the new city of Columbia. Their goal was to teach people through the arts.
Today, CCTA has three main parts:
- A conservatory for serious performing arts training.
- Theatrical arts productions where students perform in plays and musicals.
- Outreach programs that bring theater to more students in the community.
Theatre Programs
Conservatory Training
The CCTA conservatory offers many programs for kids and teens. These programs help young people learn about acting, singing, and dancing.
One special group is the Young Columbians. This is a performing troupe created by CCTA. They get to perform in many places. The conservatory has even received five grants from the National Endowment for the Arts for its great work.
Outreach Programs
CCTA's outreach programs help make theater available to more students. They offer scholarships and special events to raise money. These programs work with schools like the Baltimore City Public School System.
CCTA also performs an original play called Ben Carson, M.D. for young people. They even have a program for students with special needs at Glenelg High School and the Kennedy Krieger Institute in Baltimore.
Recent Productions
CCTA puts on many exciting shows. In 2016, they performed the world premiere of Magic Under Glass, a musical based on a popular book.
CCTA students have performed in many famous places, including:
- The White House
- Wolf Trap
- Walt Disney World
- The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts
- Merriweather Post Pavilion
- Toby's Dinner Theatre
People from CCTA
Many talented people have been part of CCTA. Some have gone on to become famous actors, singers, and performers!
- Robin Baxter, Broadway performer
- Risa Binder, Emmy-nominated country singer-songwriter
- Steve Blanchard, Broadway performer
- Caroline Bowman, Broadway performer
- Johnny Holliday, Radio and TV sportscaster
- Mary Page Keller, Hollywood film actress
- Megan Lawrence, Tony-nominated Broadway performer
- Edward Norton, Academy Award-nominated actor and filmmaker
- Ric Ryder, Broadway performer and vocal coach
- Peter Salett, musician and composer
- Margo Seibert, Broadway performer
- Tracie Thoms, television, film, and stage actress
- Betsy True, Broadway performer
- Mark Waldrop, Broadway writer and director
- Tico Wells, Hollywood film actor
- Brynn Williams, Broadway performer
- Stacy Wolf, Author and musical theatre director
Awards
CCTA has received awards for its work. In 2016, they won the Cherry Adler Award from the Maryland State Arts Council.
Community Partners
CCTA works with many groups in the community to bring theater to more people. Some of their partners include:
- Baltimore City Public School System
- Howard County Public School System
- Howard County Recreation and Parks
- Kennedy Krieger Institute
- Howard County Arts Council
- Howard Community College
- Howard County General Hospital: Part of Johns Hopkins Medicine
See also
- Toby's Dinner Theatre
- Young Columbians
- Helen Hayes Award
- Theater in Washington, D.C.
- Greater Baltimore Theater Awards
