Tuscaloosa Childrens Theatre Inc

For more than twenty-five years, Tuscaloosa Children's Theatre has been producing high quality children's theatre productions by and for the children of West Alabama.  

Founded by local educators and volunteers from the community, TCT is dedicated to providing arts education through its productions, reduced price school shows, summer camps, workshops and community appearances. 

TCT produces five productions over a two year cycle - productions which are presented both to school audiences and to the general public.  TCT focuses on producing high quality, well-known children's shows, such as Cinderella, Stuart Little, Seussical, and many others.  For the 2011-2012 season, TCT is presenting Thoroughly Modern Millie, Jr. and Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory.

Through their participation in TCT productions, our actors learn responsibility, poise, public speaking, confidence and collaboration skills.  Those attending our productions learn about the theatre, about how shows are produced and about how actors prepare.  All involved receive exposure to the theatre and the arts in a positive environment.

The success of our organization can be measured by the number of childen exposed to theatre for the very first time, the number of our actors who learn and apply theatre design and directing skills to our productions and the number of actors who succeed in pursuing professional theatre careers in both the acting and technical theatre realms.

TCT is an entirely volunteer-driven organization, governed by a 25-member Board of Directors.  The organization is a registered 501(c)(3) organization which conducts its business transparently and which makes its books publicly available for inspection at the Tuscaloosa Public Library.  The Board does hire and pay professionals to direct, costume, build and produce its shows, all of whom are dedicated to teaching children as part of the process of producing shows.

TCT is participating in Alabama Gives Day for two primary reasons.  Due to the April 2011 tornado, our set construction warehouse was completely destroyed, resulting in the loss of twenty-five years of accumulated props, sets, construction materials and tools.  As a result, TCT lost thousands of dollars' worth of materials, some of which are probably irreplaceable.  TCT also lost a rent-free space provided by the City of Tuscaloosa.  As a result, TCT has incurred both the cost of replacing those materials and the cost of renting a new facility.

TCT is also seeking donations to assist us in moving in to brand new costume and performance space in the new Dinah Washington Cultural Arts Center in 2012.  For the first time, TCT will have an office, a permanent costume space and a rehearsal space for its use.  

Your donations are much appreciated, are tax-deductible and will be formally receipted for tax purposes.  More importantly, your donations will ensure that the children of West Alabama continue to have the opportunity to learn about the arts and to participate in the creation of such art.

Thank you for your support!

Hugh M. Lee, President

Tuscaloosa Children's Theatre