Eau Claire Children's Theatre

Mission Statement

The Eau Claire Children's Theatre (ECCT) is a non-profit, volunteer-driven community theatre providing quality theatrical and educational experiences for western Wisconsin residents of all ages.

Our Mission to Children, Families and Community

Since its founding in 1989, the primary objective of the ECCT has been to provide experiences -- as cast, crew and audience members -- for children and their families. The ECCT is truly one of the fixtures in our community that makes the Chippewa Valley a great place to live and raise a family.

The ECCT has experienced and been consistently recognized for its incredible amount of success, growth and service since its inception into the arts community over two decades ago. To date, the ECCT has seen over a quarter million patrons experience its dynamic productions and programming. To do so, the ECCT has committed itself to five areas of programming: nine mainstage productions consisting of major Broadway musicals and award-winning literary-based plays; education outreach classes; elementary school touring productions; high school improvisational team; and the school matinee program.

What We Do For Children

No one would deny that participation in the arts through theatre allows children the chance to express themselves in an enriching, enjoyable and creative way. However, the ECCT feels children's participation in theatre does much more for children and their mental and physical development.

As participants in theatre, children begin to realize a positive self-concept and a new, unique understanding of others. Theatre challenges our children to respond to the world and to look beyond themselves to see the connectedness of human society, fostering a greater understanding of other cultures, their histories, symbols, values and beliefs.

As participants in arts organizations like the ECCT, children most often find that the arts help them enhance their academic skills and performance. Drawing helps writing. Song and poetry make facts more memorable. Drama makes history more vivid and real. Creative movement and dance makes processes more understandable. The arts can be a creative vehicle to help children socially and academically and always have a significant impact upon those children whose lives can be reached by the arts.