Plano Children's Theatre

Believe it or not, the idea for the Plano Children’s Theatre was born on the yellow brick road. It was during tech week (a time when actors, parents and staff usually want to murder each other) for a production of the Wizard of Oz that Sara was directing at Grace Presbyterian Church, that the kids and parents began asking, “What are we going to do next, Sara?”.

The mission would be simple: to provide arts opportunities for youth, ages 4-18, which promote life-long learning, creativity, communication skills, teamwork, integrity, and good citizenship.

Casting would be on the basis of talent and previous performing history and not on race, creed, ethnicity or height. In 2010, this may seem blasé, but in 1991 this was outrageous!

Check out some other historical moments for Plano Children’s Theatre:

2008Awarded $32,000 in tuition scholarships and donated more than $35,000 worth of performance tickets...

2007Bursting at the seams, rehearsal space is renovated as a result of generous gifts from UPS, Weingarten Realty and other sponsors...

2005City of McKinney provides funding for the McKinney Youth Theatre...

1995In cooperation with Plano Parks and Recreation, began offering acting classes for youth with special needs...

1994Rented rehearsal space at 15th and Custer. Space was so tight parents had to wait outside and dance numbers were taught in the parking lot where cares would pull over and watch...

1992Classes start in the spring. That semester there were 50 students… by the summer there were 175!

1991Plano Children’s Theatre founded by Sara Akers and three founding board members: Rebecca Egelston Caso (an attorney who wrote the Bylaws), Dick Anthony (developed budget) and Lanny Wren (a CPA who served as business manager)