ACT – From a parent’s point of view

“And oh what heights we’ll hit
On with the show this is it…"
—The Bugs Bunny Show

by George Ayres The word family gets tossed around a lot at Austin Children’s Theater and while raising the curtain, dimming the lights and putting on the show is what happens, creating a family that educates, inspires and empowers children of all ages is the focal point of the company’s mission statement.

But acting isn’t the only thing going on at ACT.

From carnival/fundraisers to summer camps to the Original Musical Project to ACT’s Parent’s Night Out (Yes, you read that right – kids play theater games, eat bedtime snacks, watch musical movies and sing along while you go out on the town. They might just have more fun than you!), the company strives to both entertain and instruct.

Seven-year-old Gabriel Omer has been part of the ACT family since his first summer camp session in 2008. He has also participated in a fall class at ACT and has enjoyed himself at several Parent’s Night Out events.

Gabriel’s father, David, said the summer camp did so much more than simply hold his son’s interest. “Gabriel was excited and enthusiastically looking forward to every single day. For me, to see an amazing presentation put together in one week was more than I was expecting. It’s a true testament to what ACT can do in a short period of time,” Omer said.

The impact of Austin Children’s Theater reaches beyond the footlights. Participation in the arts helps to cultivate self-esteem, creativity and technical skills in children, and ACT works to offer that kind of positive and productive outlet. According to Jodi Leach, mother of eight-year-old Molly, expectations at ACT have always been high and Molly has thrived in that atmosphere. “It has done wonders for her self esteem,” Leach said. Molly appeared in last fall’s Original Musical Project, “Just As You Are” and will also grace the stage in the upcoming musical, “The Story.”

“There’s more than just acting involved,” Leach added. “Molly has loved the whole process of the show, from the table read to the final curtain. What I’ve particularly liked is the way ownership for the productions are given to the children.”

Leach said she especially likes the ongoing communication that ACT has with parents and said that for Molly, being involved with ACT has helped her stretch her talents and feel more like an actress.

Family means many things to many people not the least of which is feeling like you have a home. With Austin Children’s Theater of family comes confidence, self esteem, skills for theater and the will to be creative, and whether it’s thinking on their feet, working in a group or playing a round of theater games, ACT offers children invaluable life skills through a memorable (and fun!) learning experience.