Nashville Children's Theatre's Mission

NCT's Board and staff is passionately committed to the institution's mission:
Nashville Children's Theatre is an ensemble of professional artists who bring unique vision and compelling voice to the creation of meaningful theatre for Nashville and Middle Tennessee audiences. We strive to make the imaginative celebration of our hopes, struggles and joys a vital part of the shared experience for young people, families and our community.

Nashville Children’s Theatre’s History

Nashville Children's Theatre is Tennessee's only professional, non-profit theatre dedicated exclusively to kids and families. Throughout its history, NCT has introduced young people to the magic of live theatre through a full line-up of stage productions and related educational programs.

Established in 1931 by the Junior League of Nashville, NCT is the oldest children's theatre company in America, and compelling, high-quality performances form the cornerstone of this professional theatre for young people. Each year, NCT produces four or more professional productions for audiences ranging from pre-school to adult – imaginative, substantive, and engaging plays that showcase superior production values and powerful performances. Every NCT production is brought to life by a team of professional actors, designers, and stage technicians drawn from the finest professional theatre artists in the region, and the Theatre is managed by a team of artists and administrators who share a common commitment to children's theatre and arts education.

The photo shows (from left to right), Dr. George Getchell, Ann Stahlman Hill, Mrs. Getchell and George Hill examinging the model for Nashville Children's Theatre at the 1960 Grand Opening of the theatre's current location.

The average NCT season spans 30 weeks and features over 150 performances for both school groups and family audiences. Approximately 65,000 schoolchildren attend Nashville Children's Theatre performances each year as part of the Theatre's School Performance Series, and an additional 8,000 kids and adults visit NCT for the Theatre's Weekend Family Series. Accessibility is a guiding principle behind Nashville Children's Theatre, and the Theatre offers affordably-priced school and weekend tickets to ensure that students and families from throughout the region's diverse cultural and socio-economic communities have the opportunity to attend performances.

Every year NCT offers a line-up of productions that range from plays which explore issues and experiences young people encounter in contemporary society to adaptations of classic literature, historical subjects, and award-winning children's books. The Children's Theatre is also committed to new play development and nurturing engaging, sophisticated new scripts for young audiences. NCT both commissions new plays and adaptations – including Jack's Tale, Devon's Hurt, and Selkie – and produces work that has recently premiered at theatres across the country, such as Sing Down the Moon and And Then They Came For Me: Remembering the World of Anne Frank.

Nashville Children's Theatre's year-round arts education programming both complements and augments NCT's regular season of performances, and the Theatre's education initiatives also provide ancillary arts experiences that develop children's creativity and encourage a life-long interest in the arts. NCT's drama workshop program has grown significantly in recent seasons, and NCT's summer drama camps have expanded to include two-week programs. Altogether Nashville Children's Theatre serves 70,000 children and adults annually, and each year NCT provides some 7,500 free tickets and camp scholarships for schools throughout Nashville and Middle Tennessee.