Theatre of Youth Company Inc

Every season, TOY identifies schools with children in financial need and gives them admission and transportation scholarships to a TOY performance. For many of these children, this will be their ONLY professional theatre experience during the most critical years of their creative development. Based on the amount of your donation, YOU CAN DIRECTLY NURTURE THE CREATIVE IMAGINATIONS OF HUNDREDS OF CHILDREN IN OUR COMMUNITY. These scholarships are funded solely from the individual donations of people just like you! Help us grow our scholarship and inspire more and more children in Western New York.

Theatre of Youth (TOY) was founded in 1972 by Rosalind Cramer and Toni Smith Wilson, theatre instructors at Daemen College.  Initially TOY was a touring theatre company that performed in schools throughout Western New York.  Under the artistic direction of Meg Quinn, TOY is now the largest resident producing children’s theatre company in New York State, performing to over 50,000 young people and adults each year.  TOY’s home is the historic Allendale Theatre that was restored over 13 years in partnership with the City of Buffalo and was reopened in 1999.  For 38 years, TOY has produced evocative theatre that stirs the imagination and nurtures the creative capacity of every child.  Young people need to be engaged with our company throughout their developmental years. Research indicates that the 21st Century demands flexible, innovative thinkers.  The arts expose children to new perspectives and ideas that: enhance creative thinking skills, expand capacity for empathy, and develop stronger social bonds within communities. During the past several years, Western New York has witnessed the decline and/or elimination of field trip funding.  This has had a negative impact on young people in the Buffalo Public School System.  Our unwavering goal remains to provide city students with the opportunity to participate in our programs.  Last season, TOY distributed over 3,000 free admissions to young people at schools in the local urban community. TOY understands that these students need positive, life enriching experiences. We cannot accomplish this goal without support from donors and corporate partners.   Thank you in advance for your support!