East Bay Children's Theatre (EBCT) is the oldest continuously performing theatre group in the San Francisco Bay Area. EBCT is a non-profit organization supported by over 45 active volunteers. Since 1933 EBCT's main purpose has been to bring the heritage of traditional folk tales in the form of musical theatre free of charge to economically disadvantaged elementary schools in Oakland and surrounding areas. Through our productions we strive to highlight important moral lessons that promote positive values and strengthen self-esteem of children. Approximately 9,000 elementary school children (pre-K through grade 5) each year will be inspired and entertained during our visits to their schools.

Our mission is fourfold:

• provide children an opportunity to experience musical theatre;
• promote academic achievement in literacy to low and moderate income students;
• expose students to new ideas that ignite their interest and their imaginations; and
• support a multi-dimensional learning and teaching environment in the classroom

Educational Packets
In addition to exposing children to the many benefits of music and theatrical performances, EBCT also provides valuable assistance by sending educational packets (with a focus on the "Open Court" program) to the schools well in advance of our performances. This educational packet contains story synopsis, vocabulary words (from the play), and lesson ideas (critical thinking activities, writing, math, science, social studies, language arts activities, and art). Lastly, the educational packets also provide a bibliography that details different versions of the story from other cultures and eras.

Our Volunteers
The secret of our longevity and consistent quality is the enthusiasm and talent of our volunteers, supported by high caliber, hired professionals. Our volunteers help with costumes and sets, handle the lighting, sound equipment and sets as well as perform the age-old musical folk tales under the direction of a professional director and music director. We also hire professional set and costume designers.

Last Season
Last spring we took the original musical "Rumpelstiltskin" free of charge to 15 elementary schools in Oakland and Richmond. We carried and set up our sets, lighting, and sound equipment at each school. Several paid performances were also given to help finance our free performances in the East Bay schools. In addition to four performances at the Oakland Museum of California we presented our production for Hirsch School in Tracy and Club Sport in Walnut Creek and Pleasanton.

Current Season
For our current season we will be presenting our world premier production of "The Emperor's New Clothes" See our New Season page for more information.

COMMENDATIONS

In 2000 we received a Family 2 Family Award from Oakland's KTVU Channel 2.

In 1999 EBCT received an Oakland Business and Arts Award from the Oakland Chamber of Commerce and also a San Francisco Bay Area Critics Award.

In 1979 EBCT was formally awarded a commendation by the California State Legislature for our "devotion to and concern for enhancing the lives of the youth of the Bay Area with live theater performances."

The Oakland Unified School District has cited East Bay Children's Theatre for the quality and variety of their school performances.

In 1995 the San Francisco Bay Girl Scout Council nominated EBCT for the Daisy Award recognizing Distinguished Achievement in Inspiring or Serving Youth.

COMMENTS FROM OUR AUDIENCE

Often teachers will have their students write us thank you letters which include pictures and narratives about their favorite part or character of the performance. Following are a couple of letter and drawings from our 2000 performance of "The Sleeping Beauty."

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