The Children's Theatre Company

Mehr Mansouri & Roya Movafegh
Founders

MISSION STATEMENT
Building Character Onstage , the Children's Theatre Company is a non-profit organization (now in its 8th year) is dedicated to introducing children and youth to the incomparable magic of theatre, with a commitment to develop in each child a keen sense of citizenship alongside their artistic achievements. CTC promotes theater as a tool for active and analytical learning (rather than prescribed and passive), combining a character and ethical education curriculum that emphasizes a culture of inclusivity and service through arts-- fostering in young performers a profound conviction that they are the voices of positive change in society. In addition to its resident theater in Greenwich Village, the Children's Theatre Company serves over 400 children a day through public schools in-school and after-school-, as well as has been implemented into 6 national communities producing the CTC Community Development Model (Satellite Productions) in Boston MA, Fairfield CT, Vienna Virginia, Gaithersburg MD and soon re-opening in Los Angeles, London UK and Cape Town South Africa. change in society.

CTC is not only dedicated to producing and presenting high quality theater, but is rooted in the belief that:

1.	Parents are not incidental but integral to the growth and development of children and artists.
2.	Audiences are not bystanders but stakeholders in the “village” that raises the child.
3.	Artists must encourage an inclusive approach that nurtures not only confident, creative and caring performers, but also those who are keen to share the stage with their peers rather than to claim it for themselves.
4.	The arts have a special capacity to elevate and educate, by harnessing and supporting the inherent nobility of children- early in their development.

ARTISTIC MISSION
CTC exists to commission and present new and adapted pieces of professional theatre that explore socially relevant and challenging issues which face a global community. All performance pieces are especially created by young people and professional artists FOR audiences of all ages. CTC’s process involves perceiving and interpreting the significance of current events in light of an appropriate historical perspective- and finding an artistic expression of that perspective through a multi-disciplinary approach utilizing drama, dance, music and art. Thinking creatively, systematically and strategically in search for both the right questions and possible solutions. Forming a common vision of a desirable collaborative presentation based on shared values and principles, and articulating this in a way that inspires and challenges the work both artistically and intrinsically.

CTC aims to:

1.	Place the art at the heart and the child at the center of the theatre experience
2.	Create theatre which will stimulate and liberate the imagination, the intellect and spirit
3.	Reflect, celebrate and explore the richness of the diverse society in which we live
4.	Provide a context in which the processes of making theatre can be explored, tested and developed
5.	Promote theatre as a necessary part of the learning process for all young people
6.	Allow a young person to engage with a wide variety of contemporary cultural, social, moral and spiritual concerns
7.	Show the possibility of positive social change- beginning with reflection upon action and action upon reflection
8.	Bear witness to events on the world’s stage and deal with universal themes
9.	Provide the opportunity to observe the dynamics of human relationships
10	Offer approaches to resolving conflict
11.	Encourage questioning and analysis
12.	Provide a community development model of children’s theater for replication in other neighborhoods and for national and international populations with full performance, methodology and production manuals for teachers, artists, parents and community stakeholders.

THE CONTEXT IN WHICH CTC’S WORK IS CREATED

1.	Identity, Diversity, Inclusion vs. Exclusion
2.	Culture of Service not Consumer Culture
3.	Creativity, release, possibility
4.	A.B.C.D. - Asset-based approach to community development not deficit-based (empowering strengths of the community rather than working from the ‘need’ / weakness)

THE CONTENT: A CULMINATING EVENT SERIES
Final Performance Showcases explore:

1.	UNITED NATIONS Theme-based exploration (ie: Race Unity, Gender Equality, World Habitat, World Religion, Indigenous People etc)
2.	Examination and spoken-word presentations of the writings of peacemakers, thinkers, poets and prophets
3.	Music: Choral and Musical Theatre
4.	Dance: Hip / Hop, ethnic, musical theater
5.	Multi-media Art Gallery Exhibition illustrating all themes and discussions with Hot Chocolate House Gallery Discussion
6.	Spoken Word Revolution: A Writing Performance Exhibition- A Response, a Retort, a Reaction
7.	Post Show Discussion and Q & A with children on various themes, topics etc
8.	Service Learning: A collaborative service project as a symbol of artists-in-service