Bay Area Children's Theatre to Create New Arts District Center for Young Theatre Lovers

Beginning in May, the theatre complex at Berkeley Central in the downtown Berkeley arts district will become the Bay Area Children's Theatre's new "home" for more productions, more performances, and an expanded theatre education program.

The company will redesign the complex at 2055 Center Street to serve a broader audience.

"Our dream is to create the Bay Area's first theatre center designed especially for children," said Executive Artistic Director Nina Meehan. "We will re-envision the Osher Studio to bring every audience member closer to the action onstage, and we will create a second, more intimate theater space to serve specialized audiences-from toddlers to middle schoolers. With a new center in Berkeley, we can respond to the demand from Berkeley area families who would like their children to participate in our theatre education classes and camps, and we can accommodate more school groups for workshops and student matinees."

The Bay Area Children's Theatre is known for bringing great children's books to life onstage in imaginative shows for young audiences. In addition to producing beloved established plays, the company creates award-winning new work that introduces children and their families to imaginary worlds and different cultures. Besides its professional productions, BACT offers instruction in musical theatre to children ages 5 - 15.

The company is taking advantage of the opportunity to take up residency in Berkeley Central by offering an expanded 2017-2018 season in Berkeley as well as shows in Oakland and San Francisco.

Family Flex Pass subscriptions to BACT's 2017-2018 season are now available, with "early bird" savings through June 30. To purchase Family Flex Passes or learn more, visit www.bactheatre.org or call 510/296-4433.