Fantasy Playhouse Children’s Theater and Academy: Fun for All

Fantasy Playhouse Children’s Theater and Academy (FPCTA) is ready to present its best season yet, Season 63! With the first show coming to life in October, I recently sat down with Stephen Tyler Davis, Artistic Director for FPCTA and Joanna White, Vice President of Productions, to learn more about FPCTA and what to expect for the upcoming season.

In their introductions, I learned that Stephen grew up in Hazel Green, Alabama and Joanna is from Huntsville. Both have resumes that read more like lifetime achievement awards, yet each of them will tell you that FPCTA is where they believe they can make the most impact. Having both grown up at FPCTA, hearing their passion for the local community and the impact that FPCTA is having on toddlers all the way up to the most seasoned adults, would inspire anyone with a heart.

When discussing the academy classes, Stephen and Joanna were happy to highlight several new cohort classes offered this semester including Theatrical Makeup, Costuming and Sewing, Puppetry, and Stage Management to name a few. Students in these classes will not only work on their creations in the classroom but be given the opportunity put their work on display at Von Braun Center Playhouse during each of this season’s productions. Imagine studying a show, designing a costume, creating that costume, and then seeing it on stage with the bright lights – helping bring that very show to life.

Speaking of the stage, the 63rd season will present two, new, adaptations of the literary classics, Rudyard Kipling’s The Jungle Book and A Christmas Carol, as well as two other original productions, Rapunzel and the Beanstalk and Space Monkeys! The Adventures of Baker and Able. Here is the real kicker: all four productions are written and directed by Alabama authors, something all Alabamians should be proud to see!

As an added point of interest, I would like to highlight FPCTA’s renewed commitment to making Theater Arts accessible to all. This season, at least one performance from Jungle Book, Rapunzel, and Space Monkeys! will be sensory friendly. These performances make space for audiences with special access needs. Visual and sound effects are lowered, and house lights will stay dimly lit to accommodate first time patrons with sensory disabilities. These performances will also include American Sign Language (ASL) interpreters, some of whom come from a new class being taught this semester, ASL for Theatre. Students who take this class will be able to learn ASL as it pertains to the scripts for each production and then put their skills to use during the sensory friendly performances to serve those who have this need. For all other show times, to include those for A Christmas Carol, Sensory Bags will be available which have fidget toys and other sensory assistance tools for those patrons with special access needs.

By the end of our conversation, it was once again clear to me just how much Stephen and Joanna loved the work they do. No matter what question was asked, or topic discussed – it was clear that Huntsville and the surrounding northern Alabama communities were what truly mattered. Creating an inclusive environment, bridging communication gaps, and inspiring curiosity in young minds are just a few things that they have focused on thus far, truly creating a family fun experience for all to enjoy! 

Season 63 kicks off with The Jungle Book, on Friday October 20^th. Tickets are on sale now, so Let the Magic Begin!

Rudyard Kipling’s The Jungle Book – October 20^th through 29^th (Select Dates)

A Christmas Carol – December 1^st through 10^th (Select Dates)

Rapunzel and the Beanstalk – February 22^nd through 25^th

SPACE MONKEYS! The Adventures of Baker and Able – May 16^th through 19^th

All shows will be held at The Playhouse @ the Von Braun Center

Tickets and more info at fantasyplayhouse.org