Our mission - 

Our mission is to provide a gathering place where kids from diverse backgrounds can each bring his or her own perspective and sensibilities to the creative process. CENTER STAGE TEXAS offers opportunities to learn and to lead—a place for young people to thrive, contributing to each other and creating community.

Our Actions- 

Center Stage is the brainchild of Dede Clark who has been involved with youth theatre in Austin for 30 years through kidsActing. Our theatre in East Austin is a gathering place where young people with a passion for the arts can develop a sense of community. Center Stage has hit the ground running and in it's first year has  created various fun and educational programs, such as:

· Community Outreach – Last year we began a program with nearby Campbell elementary school. Groups of school children meet at Center Stage during the week to explore the magic of theatre and the arts. Free to participants (over 350 children served).  This year we have now expanded into Oak Springs Elementary school. A program with Headstart is in development.

 · Global Youth Peace Summit - We have partnered with The Dalai Lama Center and Strongheart Fellowship to create a Global Youth Peace Summit in Africa. Children from all the countries in Africa, as well as other countries around the world will meet to discuss peace.  Young people from Center Stage Texas will attend. 

· Sundays at Center Stage - Free workshops for youth taught by professionals. Topics will include

      writing, directing, acting, singing, songwriting, choreography, producing and design.

· Movie Night - Sing-along to movie musicals!

· Youth productions - Young people develop and create their own productions and participate in all capacities required to produce a show, from creative to business. Our first production was the Agatha Christie mystery "And Then There Were None."  "Arsenic and Old Lace" is slated to hit the boards in spring 2010.

· Scholarship programs for acting classes and camps - Young people will participate in professional productions and classes, through scholarships provided by Center Stage.