Nashville Children's Theatre facts for kids
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| Type | State Theater |
|---|---|
| Established | 1931 |
| Coordinates | 36°09′08″N 86°46′05″W / 36.15228°N 86.76797°W |
| Website | nashvillechildrenstheatre |
The Nashville Children's Theatre (NCT) is one of the oldest professional theaters for young people in the United States. It has been putting on plays for kids and families for many decades.
The theater is a member of several important groups. These include Theatre for Young Audiences, an organization for theaters that perform for kids, and ASSITEJ, an international group for children's theater. It also works with the Actors' Equity Association, which is a group that supports professional actors.
A Long History of Plays for Kids
The Nashville Children's Theatre started way back in 1931. It was created by a community service group called the Junior League of Nashville. When it first opened, it was called The Nashville Academy Theatre. Its very first show was "Aladdin and His Wonderful Lamp."
Over the years, the theater has performed in many different places. Some of these include the famous Belcourt Theatre, as well as stages at Vanderbilt University and Belmont University.
A Leader's Lasting Impact
A very important person in the theater's history was Scot Copeland. He was the producing artistic director for 30 years. Under his leadership, the theater became famous across the country. He was in charge of producing almost 180 plays.
Thanks to Copeland's hard work, Time magazine named NCT one of the top five children's theaters in the U.S. in 2004. He was known for his creative ideas and for helping young actors grow. He wanted to create shows that were special and meaningful for young audiences.
One of his biggest achievements was the world premiere of a musical called Jack’s Tale: A Mythic Mountain Musical Adventure. This show was created with the famous Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. Scot Copeland passed away in 2016, but his amazing work continues to inspire the theater.
Awards and Recognition
The Nashville Children's Theatre has won many awards for its amazing shows and its importance to the community.
- Top 5 in the U.S. - In 2004, TIME Magazine said it was one of the five best children's theaters in the entire country.
- Best in Nashville - Local magazines like the Nashville Scene and The Tennessean have named it the "Best Local Theater Company."
- Popular with Audiences - The Nashville Business Journal has often ranked the theater as one of the top performing arts groups in the city, based on how many people come to see the shows.
These awards show how much people in Nashville and across the country love the plays and programs at the Nashville Children's Theatre.
