Now in its 26th year, Plano Children’s Theatre (PCT) is the largest youth arts organization in North Texas, training over 4,000 students last year, and the program is steadily growing. A few years ago, the Board of Directors realized they had outgrown their current space at 15th Street and Custer Road. This summer, PCT will be getting a much larger, more modern new home when the Willow Bend Center for the Arts opens in The Shops at Willow Bend in West Plano.
North Texas Performing Arts (the parent organization for PCT) invites the public to a groundbreaking ceremony at 5pm on March 15 at The Shops at Willow Bend. The event will take place on the Lower Level in front of Dillards) and will feature a very special sponsorship announcement, as well as an announcement of a very special recognition of national prominence that is being awarded a PCT sponsor. The event will kick-off with a reception at 5pm and a short program to begin at 6pm. There will be two very special performances from casts of past and future Plano Children’s Theatre shows.
PCT’s new facility will be located on the upper level of the shopping center near Dillard’s. The Board of Directors plans to open the new facility in June, with a full program of art, drama, dance and vocal classes scheduled, as well as productions for youth ages 3-18. The new location will allow PCT to better reach children in West Plano, The Colony, Carrollton and Frisco.
The new 22,000-square-foot space will be a welcome upgrade from PCT’s current 11,000-square-foot facilities. The Willow Bend Center for the Arts will house two Main Stage theaters, two Black Box theaters, five rehearsal studios, a dance studio, as well as a set building area and costume storage. The NTPA offices will also be on site. NTPA also plans to allow other local arts organizations the use of its facilities as well.
“With the additional space, NTPA will be able to offer a variety of programs here that are currently not possible because of lack of space,” says NTPA Founder and Executive Director, Sara Akers. “New programs will include advanced training for career bound students, a season of Repertory Theatre Company productions featuring adults and youth in age appropriate roles, therapeutic dance, art and a full dance program. “
Opportunities are currently available to sign children up for spring break and summer camps, as well as auditioning for larger productions.
Sign up for Camps or Classes >There are also exciting opportunities to sponsor areas in the new facility or to purchase a star on the Wall of Honor.
Sponsorship Opportunities >To show your support for the arts and PCT, you can make a donation to the capital campaign.
Donate to Project Willow Bend >
