Montreal Children's Theatre facts for kids

The Montreal Children's Theatre (MCT) is a special theatre company in Montreal, Quebec, just for kids! It was started way back in 1933 by two amazing women, Dorothy Davis and Violet Walters. This school is still helping young people today.

Dorothy Davis and Violet Walters created MCT with a clear goal. They wanted to help children develop good speaking skills, feel confident, and believe in themselves. It wasn't just about making actors, but about helping kids grow.

Since it began, MCT has put on over 700 plays for more than 250,000 children! Many famous people have attended MCT, including the well-known actor William Shatner.

History of MCT

The very first class at the Montreal Children's Theatre in 1933 was small, with fewer than 25 students. They held their classes in a basement!

Dorothy Davis and Violet Walters led the theatre for a long time, until 1991. After them, Sheila April, who was once a student at MCT, took over and managed the theatre until 2006. Then, Leigh Janson Cooke and Ryan Bowels became the leaders. In 2019, Sandra Holder became the new president.

Over the years, more than 10,000 people from Montreal have taken classes at The Children's Theatre. Some of these students have gone on to become professional actors in movies, TV shows, and on stage. Many others have found roles in TV and radio commercials, both as children and as adults.

Timeline of Leaders

• 1933–1991 – The theatre was founded and run by Violet Walters and Dorothy Davis.
• 1991–2006 – Sheila April, a former student, managed the theatre.
• 2006–2019 – Leigh Janson Cooke and Ryan Bowels were in charge.
• 2019–Present – Sandra Holder has been leading the theatre.

Famous Productions

The Montreal Children's Theatre has put on many wonderful plays over the years. Here are some of their memorable productions:

• May 6–20, 1967: The Frog Prince at Victoria Hall
• April 16–18, 1968: The Pied Piper at Victoria Hall
• December 26–28, 1968: Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs at Victoria Hall
• February 15 – March 1, 1969: Hansel & Gretel at Victoria Hall
• April 19 – May 3, 1969: Jack and the Beanstalk at Victoria Hall
• December 26–29, 1969: The Magic Apple at Victoria Hall
• February 21 – March 7, 1970: Heidi at Victoria Hall
• May 9–23, 1970: Old King Cole at Victoria Hall
• December 28–30, 1970: The Princess and the Swinherd at Victoria Hall
• February 13–27, 1971: Rumpelstiltskin at Victoria Hall
• April 17 – May 1, 1971: Red Shoes at Victoria Hall
• November 20 – December 4, 1971: The Sleeping Beauty at Victoria Hall
• April 1–22, 1972: Cinderella at Victoria Hall
• November 18 – December 2, 1972: Aladdin and the Wonderful Lamp at Victoria Hall
• April 7–28, 1973: Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs at Victoria Hall
• April 12 – May 3, 1976: The Frog Prince at Victoria Hall
• November 8–29, 1976: Heidi at Victoria Hall
• March 20 – April 10, 1977: Beauty & the Beast at Victoria Hall
• November 6–20, 1977: The Sleeping Beauty at Victoria Hall
• April 23 – May 7, 1978: Pinocchio at Victoria Hall
• November 11 – December 2, 1978: Snow-White & the Seven Dwarfs at F.C. Smith Auditorium, Concordia University, Loyola Campus
• April 7–28, 1979: Aladdin and the Wonderful Lamp at F.C. Smith Auditorium, Concordia University, Loyola Campus
• March 21 – April 11, 1981: Beauty and the Beast at F.C. Smith Auditorium, Concordia University, Loyola Campus
• April 16 – May 7, 1983: Pinocchio at F.C. Smith Auditorium, Concordia University, Loyola Campus
• November 17 – December 8, 1984: The Frog Prince at F.C. Smith Auditorium, Concordia University, Loyola Campus
• April 12 – May 3, 1986: Jack and the Beanstalk at F.C. Smith Auditorium, Concordia University, Loyola Campus
• November 15 – December 6, 1986: Beauty and the Beast at F.C. Smith Auditorium, Concordia University, Loyola Campus
• April 4 – May 2, 1987: Hansel & Gretel at F.C. Smith Auditorium, Concordia University, Loyola Campus
• April 8–29, 1989: Snow-White & the Seven Dwarfs at F.C. Smith Auditorium, Concordia University, Loyola Campus
• September 16-17, 2023: Beauty and the Beast (90th Anniversary Production) at Maison de la culture Notre-Dame-de-Grâce – Monkland.