| Alameda
Children’s Musical Theatre was founded in
1983. Since that time the organization has produced
theatre for children performed by children on a
regular basis. ACMT is an all-volunteer, non-profit
organization. There is no paid staff and the Board
Members (approximately 7- 10) are all active in
the actual workings of the organization as well
as the policy making. At times artists will receive
small stipends to insure that the children involved
receive a high quality experience, but these artists
in turn donate their time on other projects for
ACMT as well. Community involvement is high on
the list of what makes ACMT work.
Performing casts are a mix of
children, ages 6 to 16, and sometimes
adults. Most plays require a cast
of 15 to 20 children and a few
require one to three adults. ACMT
has found that mixed casts allow
the children to strive for greater
heights in their performances by
emulating their older counterparts.
Children take most major roles,
with the adults only adding to
the experience. The older, experienced
children also handle the technical
aspects of performances, including
make-up, lighting, sound, and stage
management.
For more than 20 years ACMT has
performed in various rented spaces
in the city of Alameda. Since 1999
ACMT has been without its own dedicated,
performance space. Nevertheless,
the children have continued to
perform and benefit from acting
workshops in churches and other
spaces.
ACMT recently negotiated an agreement
for sharing performance and rehearsal
space at the Altarena Playhouse
in Alameda for the 2003 and 2004
seasons. This means a regular season
of two or three shows (at least
one musical and one straight play),
and classes in the summer and during
school breaks.
To cover the cost of producing
theatre ACMT depends on ticket
sales, private donations, corporate
donations, and tuition. Underwriting
of shows by generous donors allows
ACMT to increase its scholarship
fund and offer the experience of
theatre to many more children,
regardless of economic standing.
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