The Contemporary American Theater Company (CATCO) was founded 27 years ago by Geoff Nelson, but in early 2010, CATCO merged with Steven C. Anderson's children's theater group, The Phoenix Theater for Children, creating its current evolution entitled CATCO Is Kids. CATCO Is Kids produces several shows each year for young audiences at both the Columbus Performing Arts Center and the Riffe Center.
I recently got the chance to chat with CATCO's Associate Producing Director, Joe Bishara on how CATCO's children's program has evolved, what CATCO Is Kids has to offer currently, and how the CATCO Is Kids program is one of the best places in Central Ohio for young people to get their first experience with theater.
I think there may be a misconception that The Phoenix Theater for Children has "disappeared". What has the merger changed, and what remains the same?
We have bundled ourselves (CATCO and the Phoenix Theater for Children) into a single brand. As we move forward, you will see us refer to our fine programs for young people as CATCO is Kids. It's still the same imaginative and captivating programming, but it draws us all a little closer to help central Ohioans know who we are and how broad our reach of programming is."
What does the 2012-13 season have in store for CATCO Is Kids?
We opened with our first show, The Tales of Beatrix Potter, which was a delightful romp through two of Beatrix Potter's stories with some audience participation.
Then, I am really, really excited about our next show, opening December 7th. It's The Neverending Story, which is very strongly based on the book, and the subsequent movie which came out in the 80's. That's an all-kids production, featuring 27 of Central Ohio's most talented kids, between the ages of 9 and 16.What makes CATCO IS Kids different from other theater experiences?
We try to pick pieces of literature to bring to life on stage that you can have a discussion with your children about before you come to the program, and then when you see the program, there's something that you can discuss after. That's why we create play guides for all of our productions. The play guides are available on our website http://catco.org/catco-is-kids/so that you can have those discussions. We also have exercises that you can do with your children before the show, and after, so that you can have a pre and a post- conversation.
What do you hope your audiences take with them after viewing a CATCO Is Kids production?
What we hope they see, is that the CATCO and CATCO is Kids productions maintain the same level of production value. The children in our all-kids productions are being held to the same standards as our professional actors. Our program is such that we hold our patrons in such high regard. We want everything to be the best it possibly can be. When people leave a CATCO Is Kids show, they are saying, "Wow! That was GREAT!" It made them think, it made them feel, and it made them excited to come back for the next production. That's the essence of storytelling. It should "light the spark".
We hope that people will take a chance on us, if they've never experienced us before, and we don't think that they'll be disappointed. Especially, with the CATCO Is Kids series, because it's affordable for a family. It's live entertainment, and something that doesn't end after the show is over. We want people to know that there's quality family theater programming done by local professional artists here in Central Ohio. We're trying to offer the theater community here in Central Ohio a one-stop shop. Start your children's theatrical experience with us, and they can stay with CATCO for the rest of their lives."CATCO and CATCO Is Kids shows and acting classes are available year-round, Additional Information can be found on their website at catco.org.
Photo courtesy CATCO.
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