North Texas Performing Arts is an amazing place for children and adults. My children have been performing there for six years now. Most businesses start feeling cold and that you are not worth their time once they grow some. However that is NOT the case with NTPA, all of the employees are so welcoming and caring to everyone that comes through the doors. It does not matter if it is your first time walking through the door, your first class, first major production or you have been there for years you are welcomed with open arms. They encourage all to be themselves, to love themselves and never be scared be the best at what you love no matter what anyone else thinks. My 16 year old started at NTPA and would barely speak to people, she was so shy and reserved, in just six years she has now been in several of huge choirs, she is very outgoing loves to talk and sing for everyone! My 9 year old daughter has extreme anxiety and was recently diagnosed with dyslexia. She has a had a very hard year. However she knows when she gets there she gets to forget all of her worries and just have fun and enjoy being herself. She feels like she with her second family and love her for all of her wonderful qualities and never look down on her. My 6 year old just started doing shows and loves it so much she is already on her sixth show and can't wait to start the next one! I could never say enough about how amazing the theater, the staff and patriots of the theater are. Not only have they done the most amazing things for my kids, but I have meet some of my best friends there!!!! Thank you NTPA for your amazing hard work.
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Plano Childrens Theatre has been a wonderful experience for my children, both on and off stage. When we started there fours ago my oldest daughter would hardly talk to anyone at all. She did her first play at the age of 10 we had no idea what kind of singer she was or actress. Now she is turning 14 and has done 14 productions at NTPA, she is orchestra at school, the 2 two choirs at school and preforms several solos for the school performances. She is also in Dallas Children's Choir. This quite little have grown into this very talented musician because she found wonderful director and friends at PCT that believed in her and showed her how to use her talents and not be afraid of who she is and what other people think.
My 7 year old also started performing when she was 4 years old. This has helped her to never have the fear of getting up in front of people and performing, it has helped her with memorization and speech. She is now on her 9th production and can't get enough of the theater.
The most important think above all though is the friends and family that we have meet through the theater. When you are there you all become one and you become a family that supports each other and is always there for each other. A very good friend of mine from the theater told me just a few days ago it take a village and she is right it does and at NTPA we have that a village that works together always!!! The friendships that we have made there are life time friendships that mean the world to us!
North Texas Performing Arts is an amazing place for everyone involved! I have been volunteering there for over a year and absolutely love this place! My daughter has taken acting classes and had a birthday party there. This is a top notch establishment. Everyone is very professional and friendly. It’s a great place to volunteer, take acting classes, or watch some amazing shows! I love this place and really enjoy my time there. Sara is an amazing person and grateful to have met her and work with her!
Finding this theatre has changed my daughters life. When we moved to Texas she started suffering from low self esteem and social anxiety. I felt helpless and needed to find something that she could be a part of. I wanted her to be proud of herself, to challenge herself and be part of something wonderful. 2 1/2 years agoI found this theatre company on google and she had her 1st audition 2 days later for Aladdin. That show was probably the happiest she had ever been. She has learned so much from everyone involved and finally found her passion. She has just started her 15 production and is looking forward to many more before graduation in two years. Thank you NTPA.
In 2nd grade, my son saw a friend perform in The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe - and I was floored when he said he wanted to do that too! Since that point, my family has grown together and enjoyed so many moments both on and off the stage. My daughter watched from her stroller, and then when she was 5, she joined in the fun! Les Mis, Beauty and the Beast, Rent, Bring it On, Little Women - you name it and my kids have done it at PCT/NTPA! We have made life long friends, and along with the arts, my kids have learned confidence, team work, respect...
That little boy from 2nd grade is now 19 and pursuing a law degree (confident on stage and off!). My daughter is now 14, attending a performing arts high school, and she is performing in front of casting agents in NYC this week.
This organization has brought so much to our family, and I've watched it bring so much love to many others. I'd encourage any family to jump in - for your kids, for yourselves, for others...
My son started acting at PCT in 2012, he did three shows within about a year. Life got pretty busy the next year so we stopped doing shows for a while. We returned to see a show in late 2014 and ran into Sara Akers in the lobby. Not only did she remember our names, but she remembered all three shows and roles that Nick was in almost two years earlier. She invited us both to be in "Scrooge" so we performed in the ensemble that Christmas. Going through the 10 week rehearsal process and being in a show together positively transformed my relationship with my son. I'm a single mom and he's a teenage boy, and it's just the two of us at home so tensions can run high occasionally. But seeing each other in a different light and recognizing each other's talents gave us the opportunity to appreciate each other which enriched our relationship.
To date we have done three shows together and I have show-managed one of his shows. I'm also the Volunteer Coordinator for the Management Board now and very involved in our upcoming move to Willow Bend Mall. My son has grown tremendously as an actor thanks to the fantastic directors and this has greatly increased his confidence. PCT is a safe place for children to discover who they are, make life-long friendships, and be mentored by talented role models.
PCT has been a wonderful blessing our our lives. My daughter is a little on the shy side and sports have never been her love. She decided to try acting and fell in love with it! She has met several new friends and wonderful families. I have also seen a change in her confidence level. We have worked with several different directors. My daughter has learn a lot from each one. I also love to volunteer especially in organizations that benefit kids. Do to all of the work I am always doing, I was recently asked to join the board. I love being in this position that will help benefit all staff and actors/actresses.
My daughter started with North Texas Performing Arts and Plano Children's Theatre 3 years ago and it has changed our lives. The theatre has been a great opportunity for my daughter to learn from professionals in the theatre industry. She has worked on her singing, acting and dancing skills and really wants to be that triple threat when she graduates high school. She has made so many wonderful friends here and has taken away some lasting memories. Seeing my daughter so happy has been an extremely rewarding experience. As a parent, I even got involved with some volunteer efforts. And my son just started the elementary acting program! North Texas Performing Arts and Plano Children's a Theatre has really changed our lives.
Plano Children's Theater was home to my daughter for 9 years and during that time she learned to act, sing & dance as well as to be an inspiration to others. She is currently studying musical theater in college and it is because of Plano Children's Theater's teaching, nuturing and their family environment. The most amazing transformation has happened to her and many others before my eyes. It is without a doubt "The performing arts" place in North Texas and I am proud to say my daughter's future has been destined due to her experience there. I am a proud parent and have been blessed by my and my daughter's experience there!
Plano Children's Theatre has been a blessing in my life. I have had the pleasure of working with so many talented, sweet, enthusiastic children over the years. In addition, the most wonderful parents help us in so many ways to build sets, run lights, create costumes, serve on the board, and fundraise.
If you have a child that is looking for a place to shine, please bring them to see a show and talk to our parents. If you are an adult looking for a place to make friends, make a difference, and have a blast - look no further. We have a home for you.
Plano Children's Theatre has played a pivotal role in my son's growth as an actor, in addition to the healthy development of his self-confidence. My son, currently 17, has been an active participant in their programs since he was 12. It has been a thrill to watch him grow in confidence and ability. I love how this organization will give opportunities to everyone...from a shy child who has no experience, to a seasoned veteran who has performed in numerous productions. Children truly have the chance to grow and shine at PCT. We are thankful to the many staff members and volunteers there who have lovingly invested in our son for so many years.
Through the great programs offered our son has gone from being too timid to be heard on stage to shining. PCT is where he has made friends who accept him for who he is and are supportive and encouraging. For our family, the friendships we have made are more important to us than any performance. For boys, if you don't play sports it's difficult to find team to belong to, especially when you are in elementary school, but our son found his team at PCT.
Plano Children's Theatre/McKinney Youth Theatre has been our second home for almost 4 years.
I'm incredibly grateful for all that this organization has provided for my son. The friendships, the family, the experiences and mentors have all made lasting impressions on my son and our family. PCT/MYT offers so many unique opportunities for our kids to become involved. It's the kind of home every community should have, I feel so lucky that we can be a part of it.
What an incredible experience PCT/MYT has provided my daughters. Not only does it give them a true outlet for their passion, it allows them to build on their creativity and talent. Not to mention the sense of belonging and home the group has within each show. As I can attest to how it has been such a positive outlet for them, I can also say that our family, friends and community have enjoyed the benefits of seeing such great shows and talent come out of the children in the area. A great family entertainment experience.
Plano Children's Theatre has been a wonderful experience for my kids. It has given each of them a place to shine and build confidence. PCT cultivates a love and appreciation for theatre, public speaking and community service. We have seen many children benefit and blossom into true leaders because of their experience with PCT.
Kelli Matthews
Plano/McKinney Youth Theater (PYT/MYT) has had a substantive and positive impact on my son and family. We are currently in our third musical and the experience just keeps getting better! There seems to be a lack of arts culture for our youth and the lions share of the money seems to go to sports in our community. I'm continually amazed at the quality of the productions PYT/MYT offers on a shoestring budget. The directors are great mentors, so patient with the kids and seem to know exactly how to get the best out of each individual. The board and staff are responsive and inclusive in terms of getting input to improve and expand their offerings.
I simply cannot say enough positive things about PYT/MYT! They continue to fill a gap for our youth and offer those creative and talented kids a way to explore and grow in their passion for theater!
Mary Kay Badar
This organization has been a true blessing for our son. He has loved performing and learning new acting skills. He has had an opportunity to sing, dance, and act. He has enjoyed the many diverse directors and has made so many close friends. Our older son has also gotten involved in helping backstage and making new friends. My son especially enjoys working with the director Becca Johnson-Spinos-she is awesome!