The History
of Children's Theatre Workshop
The Children's Theatre Workshop, one of the oldest continually operating
children's theaters in the country, began in 1954. The Junior League
of Toledo and the American Association of University Women organized
CTW with the purpose of providing theater training for area youth. Many
children's theater companies use adults to perform and the children
become audience. Our children are involved in all aspects of theater,
as the activities are age-appropriate. Since its inception, Children's
Theatre has gone through many changes. Through it all, the mission has
remained the same: to provide theater by children, for children.
Today, while no
longer associated with the Junior League or AAUW, Children's Theatre
Workshop continues in the same tradition. We are a non-profit organization
(501(c)3 corporation as defined by the IRS, that is embarking into the
twenty-first century and celebrating our 50th year.. CTW found its first
home at the Toledo Zoo's Indoor Theater, which was located in the Science
Building. (For those unfamiliar with Toledo, our zoo is rated as one
of the best in the country.) The theater contained seating for 500,
as well as a lecture platform. Using this as their base, many CTW volunteers
came together to create a proscenium stage and to sew a curtain for
CTW's first production. The Emperor's Nightingale was put on
by 7th and 8th graders who took classes in Artistic and Technical Theater.
(For those involved behind the scenes of live theater, it is worth noting
that the paint on the flats for Act III was drying during Act I.)
In the years to
come, the CTW program was expanded to include ages 8-16, and included
a touring company at one time. The touring company took one-act plays
out to local groups. Over the years, CTW found itself in many locations
including several local theaters, a movie theater, schools, as well
as in the basement of a local library.
The next major
project for CTW was the creation of The Teen Company in the fall of
1987. This expanded the program to offer advanced acting and technical
training to teens (up to 18) who have had previous theater experience.
The Teen Company allows older students the opportunity to put on more
challenging works, as well as an expanded look at the workings of a
production. This includes experience in all aspects of theater from
set construction to sound and lighting.
The next major
development in the life of CTW was the move to our current home, The
Collingwood Arts Center, in 1989. This Victorian structure is the former
Ursuline Convent, St. Ursula Academy and Mary Manse College. Since the
building was once a school, it contained many classrooms and dormitory
areas, as well as a magnificent auditorium, which is almost acoustically
perfect. At first, CTW rented classroom space and the auditorium from
the CAC. However, in 1995 CTW undertook a major project, and a large
step in becoming a force in the community, by leasing what at one time
was the convent chapel.
The chapel had
not been used actively for many years. It had stood for ages without
heat or water except what came through the leaky roof, causing the paint
to peel everywhere. But, it had an office and eight classrooms on the
upper floor, and the actual chapel downstairs, complete with a marble
altar. In the years since CTW moved into the chapel building, a large
number of renovations have taken place. The building now has heat, water,
carpet, a paint room, a scene shop, costume shop, a library and a parent
lounge. Our dream of turning the chapel into a theater was complete
with the production of the Teen Company show, Women in White.
Needless to say,
all of this would not have been possible without the help of many volunteers,
as well as the generosity of many local foundations and grant sources,
who have made financial contributions large and small to help further
construction. We've also been very fortunate in having things donated,
including the carpet, and the parents have been incredible in their
willingness to take on new tasks. We've also had help from Toledo City
Council and a local school district.
In the years since
CTW began, it has been a constant labor of love. And, we're not done
yet. We've continued to augment our program to include a musical and
expanded the main program to include children from 5-18. We are constantly
investigating new resources for funding ideas, and general donation.
We are currently looking at purchasing our first permanent home. But,
through out all of this, CTW has not wavered from the goal set in 1954:
to provide theater by children, for children.
