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Salt Lake City is home to a wide variety of cultural activities. From symphonies and operas to concerts and plays, even the most discerning patron can find something to enjoy. And thanks to the Parker family, even young children have the opportunity to develop an appreciation for live theater.
The Children's Theatre has been an important part of downtown Salt Lake City for many years. In fact, starting this month, the theatre is celebrating its 25th season. James Parker, current owner and operator, says some of the highlights of this season include the theatre's wildly popular Babes in Toyland and Richard Scarry's Busytown, which he feels harmonizes well with Downtown Rising.
James tells me his parents, Tom and Joanne Parker, founded The Children's Theatre in 1985 as Utah's premier children's theatre. Tom and Joanne had strong connections to the arts and recognized the importance of live theatre. Since its inception, the company has delighted thousands of youth with its quality productions. Its school program brings elementary school children to the theatre at a discounted rate on several mornings each week and hosts more than 8,500 children a year. Quite an accomplishment for a 99-seat theatre!
Not only does The Children's Theatre offer quality production, but it also has an acting school to train youth in how to be actors themselves. After-school classes teach everything from voice work to body movement to emotional expression while summer camps offer a themed approach like Broadway or superheroes. The acting school's advanced class, Youth Stage, offers students the opportunity to experience what itÕs truly like to be an actor, as participants work their way through a full production. The first youth stage performances start on Oct. 23.
James is currently working with the city to find a permanent home for The Children's Theatre so it can continue delighting children of all ages.
