Children’s Theatre Workshop

Hi, to the one star reviewers… I believe you might be reviewing the wrong place!
I have been involved with CTW for four years. I am nothing but impressed. Children are given a creative outlet in a respectful environment. They are absolutely not treated like little adults. All the instructors are dedicated, intelligent, and highly invested.
To the reviewer that stated she was not given a part. That absolutely false. CTW guarantees a part to every child.

To whoever thought my last review was funny, children are not small adults and shouldn’t be treated that way. They are extremely influenced by peer pressure. Their personalities and values and self esteem are still developing in a profound way. Adults that understand this won’t try to teach a child a lesson by ostracizing them in a cruel way when they are clearly reaching out. For me, a simple conversation would have done so much more. But lets face it, they didn’t care. And I have greater expectations from a group that takes our money to teach and socialize our children.

About 10 years ago, I was a graduate student working in the Toledo Schools, and a 5^th grader invited his teacher and me to come see his performance of Pocahontas. He was so excited about it that I couldn’t decline, and I was pleasantly surprised when I watched the play that was cast entirely with children and teens. It surpassed any school play I’d ever seen.
Now that I have kids, I have made a point of checking their website and facebook page, so I can take my kids to see the performances. Last year, I took my kids to see Pocahontas, and today, we saw The Poisoned Apple (a version of Snow White) with Cast B. I don’t expect flawless memorization of lines, and the occasion missed cue is easily overlooked when taken in context of the exuberance of the confident cast, the magnificent set, and the high-​quality costumes and makeup. Everyone really wants to be there doing their part to put on a great show. The tickets were about $ 5 each, the popcorn and water were about $ 5, and the awe on my captivated kids faces was priceless. Seeing other kids put on such a great show has to impart a sense of self-​efficacy on kids in the audience.
The theatre is located in Toledo’s Old West End, of which I’ve always been a bit leery if only because I’m unfamiliar with the area; however, I’ve always felt safe there. The theatre is located in the Collingwood Arts Center, which has easy access to I-​75, and the adults in bright vests patrolling the parking lot made themselves appropriately conspicuous.
Hint: It can be a little hard to hear the actors in the middle to back of the auditorium. Arrive about 30 minutes early, and you’ll be able to get front row seats before the grandparents take all of them. You can pass the time with the reasonably-​priced popcorn and snacks.