Our History
In the Beginning…
- 1993 Renee Naquin is asked to take over a small summer theatre class for the Casper Recreation Center. The class produces the play “Mrs. Gibbs Advertises” at Stage III Theatre in the Sunrise Shopping Center.
- 1994 Becky Morris joins Renee in the summer theatre adventure and the class produces “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory”
- 1995-1999 Children’s Summer Theatre expands to TWO CLASSES and continues at Stage III with the following productions :
- From Caveman to Blueman: A History of the Theatre
- Here Come the Cows or Never Say Moo in Mesa
- Knights of the Rad Table and Fractured Fairy Tales
- Paintin’ The Fence and Details at 11
- From Caveman to Lion King: A history of the Theatre and Billy Bart: Scourge of the West
Fall 1999 Renee & Becky are persuaded to hold classes during the school year and the classes produce four more shows:
- Original Commercials
- The Legend of Santa Pig
- An Evening of Reader’s Theatre
- A Midsummer Night’s Dream
Summer 2000 brings three classes instead of just two: Beginning, Advanced, and Teen Performance Troupe:
- Beginning and Advanced classes produce OZ 2000
- Performance Troupe produces a touring version of The Wizard of Oz for local day care centers
August 2000: Becky & Renee become the founding members of a new non-profit corporation called Casper Children’s Theatre, Inc. They are joined by their good friend and colleague Mr. Gale Peterson who becomes technical director and treasurer of the organization. Together, they continue with year-round classes first at Stage III and then at the Casper Recreation Center and McKinley Elementary School.
- Fall 2000 Fractured Fairy Tales
- Christmas 2000 The Legend of Santa Pig
- Winter 2001 Out of the Bag
- Spring 2001 “Frog Went to Heaven” and Advanced Scene and Monologue Class
- Summer 2001 James and the Giant Peach and Let’s Get Buggy!
In the Fall of 2001, Casper Children’s Theatre moved into our current location at the Commissary Mall in Downtown Casper. Through the support and hard work of our patrons, local businesses and foundations, volunteers, and students, the over 6,000 square foot space was transformed into an intimate theatre designed just for young people. We also added two Adult Production Units: The Fantasy Players and The Puppet People to entertain family audiences in the Casper Area
And the Rest, as they say, IS HISTORY:
2001-2002 Season
Theatre by Children:
Kinderdrama……………………Zamani: African Tales of Long Ago
Acting in the Afternoon………..Comedy Improv at the CCT
Kinderdrama…………………...From the Sidewalk to the Attic
Acting in the Afternoon………..The Butler Did It
Theatre for Children:
The Fantasy Players………………The Star Child
The Puppet People…………………The SugarPlum Dragon
Co-Production with Casper College Theatre………A Thousand Cranes
2002-2003 Season
Theatre by Children:
ALL SUMMER CLASSES……… Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
Kinderdrama……………………...Monster Mayhem
Acting in the Afternoon…………..The Invisible Man, Radio Drama
Kinderdrama………………………Around the World in 7 Tales
The Not Ready for Bedtime Players were added this class session for ages 8-11!!! They performed with the Kinderdrama Kids in Around the World in 7 Tales
Acting in the Afternoon…………..Comedy Improv at the CCT
Theatre for Children:
The Puppet People……………………………..The Frog Prince
Co-Production with Casper College Theatre……… The Best Christmas Pageant Ever
The Fantasy Players……………………….Well, Here We Are!
The Fantasy Players………………………….NARNIA
2003-2004 Season
Theatre by Children:
Acting in the Afternoon……………….Movie Camp: The Last Keeper
The Not Ready for Bedtime Players…………..The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe
Kinderdrama Kids……………………Unicorn Wishes
Not Ready for Bedtime Players……….Sleepy Hollow, and original musical
Kinderdrama Kids…………Dia de Los Muertos, A celebration of Mexico
Acting in the Afternoon……..The Lost World and The Canterville Ghost
With guest direction by John de Lancie
Kinderdrama Kids………………………………Irish Fairy Tales
Not Ready for Bedtime Players……Midsummer Night’s Dream for Kids!
Acting in the Afternoon……………Comedy Improv Boot Camp
Theatre for Children
The Puppet People………………….Rumplestiltskin
Co-Production with Casper College….The Best Christmas Pageant Ever
The Fantasy Players………………….The Twits
2004-2005 Season
Theatre by Children
The Kinderdrama Kids……………………….Rainbow Fish and Friends
The Not Ready for Bedtime Players……Flander Flounder Goes to School winner of the Artcore Playwriting competition
Acting in the Afternoon…………………….The Witches
Not Ready for Bedtime Players…………….Revolting Rhymes
The Kinderdrama Kids………………………The Enormous Crocodile
The Kinderdrama Kids………………………Beauties and Beasties
The Not Ready for Bedtime Players……Much Ado About Nothing for Kids
Acting in the Afternoon…………………Comedy Prescription!
Theatre For Children
Co-Production with Big Brothers/Big Sisters…………..The Bedtime ZONE
The Fantasy Players…………………….………….Schoolhouse Rock Live!
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