Our Mission:

About the Fort Lauderdale Children’s Theatre
Founded in 1952, the Fort Lauderdale Children’s Theatre (FLCT) is a not-for-profit organization that provides cultural and educational opportunities for children, ages 3 ½ through 18. Through year-round classes, camps, productions and outreach programs, FLCT gives children of all abilities the chance to develop creativity, problem solving skills and self-esteem. FLCT is the oldest documented children’s theatre in the state of Florida and one of the few theatres in the nation whose performances use students as actors, assistant directors, backstage crew and technicians. Each year, the organization’s programs touch more than 25,000 children and adults. All young people, regardless of economic, cultural or ethnic background, are invited to participate, thanks to the generous support of local individuals, corporations and foundations whose contributions help support FLCT’s annual budget of $700,000+. A number of giving opportunities exist. For more information about how to support FLCT or participate in theatre programs.

FLCT provides the first exposure to live theatre for hundreds of children each year. Thousands more are impacted as audiences, actors and technicians experience the magic and energy of this art form in a way that is inclusive, engaging and inspirational in order to create life-long learners and arts supporters. Productions provide interaction with professional adult artists who support the work of the young performers and encourage appreciation of the “art for art’s sake.” Classes and outreach programs use the art as a tool for self-expression, community connection and joyful celebration.  

Core Values, Programs develop life skills and encourage:

  • Creative Expression and Artistic  Appreciation  
  • Empathy and Respect  
  • Communication and  Confidence  
  • Leadership and Teamwork  
  • Critical Thinking and  Academic Success

FLCT nurtures personal growth in children by utilizing theatre as an educational tool and strengthens the community by producing quality theatre by children.

How we meet our mission –
Education –

Develop public speaking skills
Re-enforce lessons in history, English and science
Hone children’s research skills
Expose children to current events and socially relevant issues
Provide forum for open discussion and debate
Provide advanced education in drama, art and music
Improve reading skills thru drama
Instill a respect for authority
Provide a hands-on active learning environment
Provide safe & nurturing environment for children to learn

Life/Social Skills –

Promote social skills training
Develop leadership skills
Develop appropriate classroom behavior
Develop acceptable ways to resolve conflict with others
Develop better ways to handle frustration and anger
Develop team building skills
Develop positive non-aggressive choices when faced with conflict
Develop time management skills
Improve self discipline
Foster empathy for others
Cultivate social responsibility
Encourage volunteerism
Instill respect for others
Promote self confidence and self esteem

Diversity –

Instill tolerance of others
Develop acceptance of others
Expose children to other cultures and cultivate an appreciation for those cultures
Provide opportunities for participation by diverse (economic, cultural and ethnic) groups.
Foster a culture of inclusiveness

Arts –

Expose as many children as possible to theatre arts
Provide quality theatre, art, and music to the community
Train children in all aspects of theatre production –
Acting
Lighting design
Sound
Directing
Costume design
Stage management
Set design
Develop children’s imagination and creativity
Promote support for the arts in South Florida
Promote partnerships with other cultural organizations
Develop future patrons of the arts
Our Purpose:
The Fort Lauderdale Children's Theatre is a not-for-profit, developmental center for the theatre arts founded in 1952 for the purpose of providing programs and services to youth and adults.

We recognize that the theatre arts are a necessary and expressive means for the human community to come to understand and celebrate itself. The goals of the Fort Lauderdale Children's are:

  • to develop the full potential of students as members of our community
  • to celebrate the diversity of Broward County's population through the arts
  • to nurture communication among various performing groups
  • to advance the highest possible standards of theatre
  • to encourage public appreciation of the art form
  • to develop future audiences and supporters of the cultural arts
The goals of the organization are accomplished by offering classes, workshops, productions, outreach programs to elderly or underserved populations, festivals, special events, student internships, and programs in collaboration with other community, cultural, and educational organizations.
Such services include:
  • Classes based on creative dramatics principles designed to provide formal theatre training and to develop self-esteem, discipline, and creativity for children, youth, adults, and senior citizens.
  • Outreach programs to Broward County residents who are unable to participate in the program of classes offered at FLCT or its satellites, including the following:
  1. Residencies, workshops, and teacher training using theatre and creative dramatics as a training tool to help Broward County residents bridge differences within their community.
  2. Festivals reaching out to a multi-cultural, international audience.
  3. Interactive performances by adults for youth.
  • Performances, readings, and discussions of plays as follows:
  1. Youth performing for youth
  2. Teen productions
  3. Adults performing for youth.
  4. Adult professional company.
About Fort Lauderdale Children's Theatre:
Fort Lauderdale Children's Theatre was incorporated as a not-for-profit theatrical and educational organization in the State of Florida in 1959. It was the first cultural organization in Broward County to own its own property. FLCT offers Quarterly/Lab classes in theatre arts for children ages 3½ to 18. These classes meet weekly, 32 weeks each year. Summer theatre classes are provided 8 weeks each summer. FLCT produces approximately 15 productions each year, in addition to a touring creative dramatics troupe, the Imagination Squad, which travels to community centers, schools, festivals, birthday parties and special events throughout the area and occasionally beyond.
FLCT'S Achievements:
  • 2007 Best Entertainment for Children, Gold Coast Magazine
  • 2007 Best Live Entertainment for Children, South Florida Parenting Magazine
  • 2006 Programming Director nominated for an Onyx Award for Contributions in Education
  • 2005 Greater Fort Lauderdale Chamber of Commerce Small Business of the Year Award
  • 2004 - Executive Director received City of Hope South Florida Businesswoman of the Year Award
  • 2003 - Received the Sara Spencer Award for Excellence in children's theatre
  • 2001 - Received the Moretti Award for Cultural Achievement (Cultural Foundation
    of Broward)
  • 2000 - Small Business of the Year Award (first non-profit, first cultural
    organization to win)
  • 1992 - Created the multi-cultural, character building and conflict resolution
    outreach program, A Bridge from Me to You.
  • Ongoing partnerships and consulting work to other cultural and social service organizations throughout the county since 1992.
  • Staff members hold leadership roles in the field on a local, state, regional and national level.
  • First documented children's theatre in the state of Florida.
    1970 - First cultural organization to own its own facility
  • First cultural organization to present productions in Parker Playhouse (1968) and Main Library Theatre (1985)
All photographs of our shows are by Terry Townsend, Townsend Photographics, Inc. © Fort Lauderdale Children's Theatre. All Rights Reserved.