About Us

Inspiring Young Minds Through the Magic of Theatre
The Children’s Theatre of Charleston enriches our community by inspiring young people to lead fulfilling and creative lives through the transformative power of theatre.

At the heart of our mission is the belief that theatre is for everyone. We provide a welcoming, safe, and joyful environment for our actors, patrons, and families alike.

Community service drives everything we do. Each year, we bring the magic of live theatre to thousands of children and families across the region. By collaborating with schools, organizations, and local partners, we use the arts to foster connection and bring communities together.

We are committed to excellence in every aspect of our work—from performance to education and outreach.

In a world increasingly shaped by technology, we believe theatre offers a vital space for imagination, innovation, and creative expression.

History

The Children’s Theatre of Charleston began in May 1932, founded by Miss Sara Spencer—a dedicated teacher and passionate advocate for children’s theatre. What started as an outgrowth of her drama class quickly evolved into a full theatre group, presenting both full-length and one-act plays in its first season (1932–1933). From the very beginning, the group received generous support from the Junior League of Charleston.

In 1945, the theatre was officially incorporated with the state of West Virginia as The Children’s Theatre of Charleston, Incorporated. In 1961, Governor W.W. Barron recognized its significance by designating it as The Official West Virginia Children’s Theatre.

Over the decades, thousands of children and adults have taken part in CTOC productions—onstage, behind the scenes, and in the audience. We proudly celebrated our 90th season in 2022–2023, continuing a rich tradition of inspiring young minds through the power of theatre.View the history of our past performances here and select archives here.