Miami Childrens Theater

Miami Childrens Theater (MCT) is a prominent performing arts organization dedicated to youth theater, based in South Florida. Founded in 1996 by Angela Ardolino, the theater began as an after-school program at the Coral Gables Youth Center. Ardolino's vision and leadership quickly transformed MCT into the premier performing arts center for young people in the region, known for its artistic excellence. The theater's growth was marked by significant milestones, including being awarded the rights in 2002 to the newly created "Les Misérables Student Edition," making it the first youth children's theater in the Southeast to receive such an honor. In 2006, MCT achieved another landmark by winning the county-wide bid to become the resident theater operator for the state-of-the-art Robert Russell Theater in Kendall. Over the years, Miami Childrens Theater has established itself as one of the top young persons' theaters in the nation. It has been recognized with numerous accolades, such as being voted the Best Regional Theater and Best Childrens Theater of the Decade by Broadwayworld.com. Additionally, MCT was named one of the Top 5 places for musical theater kids to train in the state of Florida by Backstage.com, the only South Florida location to be so honored. The South Florida Parenting Hall of Fame has also recognized MCT, voting it Best Children’s Theater five times. The theater's director, Tim Fath, was nominated for a Tony Award in 2019 as one of the top Theater Educators in the nation, reflecting the high caliber of leadership and education provided by MCT. The organization has been instrumental in nurturing talent, with twelve alumni achieving roles on Broadway in shows such as "Hamilton," "Kinky Boots," "Dear Evan Hansen," "Tootsie," "Cats," and "On Your Feet." MCT offers a range of summer camps for different age groups, including Creative Camps in Coral Gables for ages 6 through 12, Creative Camps in Kendall for ages 5 through 12, and Broadway Bound for teenagers ages 13 through 18. These camps are celebrated for their artistic and technical quality and provide a nurturing environment for young performers. In response to the pandemic, Miami Childrens Theater successfully developed a virtual platform, producing twelve online musicals, and continues to offer virtual summer camps for out-of-state students and families seeking a safe alternative. The teachers at MCT are a testament to the theater's commitment to quality, inclusiveness, and fun. Many of the staff members are working professionals with personal experience at MCT, either as campers, actors, directors, choreographers, or music directors. This continuity ensures that the spirit and educational philosophy of MCT are consistently upheld. As of 2023, MCT continues to celebrate its success, with alumni like Jessica Darrow, the voice of Luisa in Disney's "Encanto," Alysia Velez as Rapunzel in Broadway's "Into the Woods," and Maria Bilbao as Johana in Broadway's new production of "Sweeney Todd," showcasing the theater's ongoing impact on the performing arts community. For more information on Miami Childrens Theater and its programs, interested parties are encouraged to visit their official website and follow them on social media.