East Bay Children’s Theatre (EBCT) is the oldest continuously performing theatre group in the San Francisco Bay Area. EBCT is a non-profit organization supported by over 45 active volunteers. Since 1933, EBCT’s main purpose has been to bring the heritage of traditional folk tales in the form of musical theatre free of charge to economically disadvantaged elementary schools in Oakland and surrounding areas. Through our productions we strive to highlight important moral lessons that promote positive values and strengthen self-esteem of children. Approximately 9,000 elementary school children (pre-K through grade 5) each year will be inspired and entertained during our visits to their schools. Our mission is fourfold:
- provide children an opportunity to experience musical theatre;
- promote academic achievement in literacy to low and moderate income students;
- expose students to new ideas that ignite their interest and their imaginations; and
- support a multi-dimensional learning and teaching environment in the classroom.
Educational Packets
In addition to exposing children to the many benefits of music and theatrical performances, EBCT also provides valuable assistance by sending educational packets (with a focus on the “Open Court” program) to the schools well in advance of our performances. This educational packet contains story synopsis, vocabulary words (from the play), and lesson ideas (critical thinking activities, writing, math, science, social studies, language arts activities, and art). Lastly, the educational packets also provide a bibliography that details different versions of the story from other cultures and eras.
Our Volunteers
The secret of our longevity and consistent quality is the enthusiasm and talent of our volunteers, supported by high-caliber hired professionals. Our volunteers help with costumes and sets, handle the lighting, sound equipment and sets as well as perform the age-old musical folk tales under the direction of a professional director and music director. We also hire professional set and costume designers.
2012 Season
This year we will be presenting the original Ron Lytle musical, ”The Bluegrass Musicians of Bremen Flats.” Visit our Productions page to learn more!
Commendations
- In 2000 we received a Family 2 Family award from Oakland’s KTVU Channel 2.
- In 1999 EBCT received an Oakland Business and Arts Award from the Oakland Chamber of Commerce and also a San Francisco Bay Area Critics Award.
- In 1995 the San Francisco Bay Girl Scout Council nominated EBCT for the Daisy Award recognizing Distinguished Achievement in Inspiring or Serving Youth.
- In 1979 EBCT was formally awarded a commendation by the California State Legislature for our “devotion to and concern for enhancing the lives of the youth of the Bay Area with live theater performances.”
- The Oakland Unified School District has cited East Bay Children’s Theatre for the quality and variety of their school performances.
Comments from our Audience
Often teachers will have their students write us thank you letters which include pictures and narratives about their favorite part or character of the performance. Following are a couple of letters and drawings from our 2000 performance of “Sleeping Beauty.”
 
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And from Kaiser Elementary school we heard:
EBCT Troup,
On behalf of the students, faculty, and parents at Henry J. Kaiser Elementary School, I want to extend our sincerest gratitude and compliments for your visit to our school this past April. The performance was absolutely delightful in every way. The content, costuming, characters, and sets made it clear the effort you put into your production and it was not lost on this audience! Everybody I spoke with loved the performance and said they were quite pleasantly surprised. Most rewarding was looking into the eyes of our children as you passed the “magic” of the theater along to them. I have read your mission statement and I must say, “Mission accomplished!” Thanks to each and every one of you for sharing your special talents with our children.
Sincerely, Cindy Hobbs – PTA Program, 06/07
For more information, call 510-547-2601 or click here to email us!
