The Children’s Theatre Association of San Francisco (CTA) was formed more than 75 years ago with the support of the Junior League of San Francisco, the San Francisco Board of Education, and both the San Francisco Opera and Ballet companies.  The goal was to offer the unique experience of live musical theatre to children in the San Francisco Bay Area.

At first, our all-volunteer group loaded sets and costumes into their cars and traveled to various locations to perform.  In 1981, CTA became part of the San Francisco Fine Arts Museums’ cultural programs for schools, and now more than 6000 elementary schoolchildren attend our shows annually in the Legion of Honor’s Florence Gould Theater.

An admission fee is charged for Saturday performances in January and February, to offset production costs and to assist children and families who might otherwise be unable to attend paid performances.

CTA’s musical plays are all professionally written and directed, insuring the quality of annual productions. Our members design and build sets, sew costumes, spend hours in rehearsal, produce the shows and work behind the scenes.  Their time and talents help sustain the creative tradition of Children’s Theatre Association.

A chorale group was added in 1997 to enhance community outreach.  Under the musical direction of noted pianist and composer Dwight Okamura, the 18 members of the Songbirds sing in three and four-part harmony. They visit hospitals, nursing homes and other organizations each winter and spring and are also available to sing for private parties.

In 1998, in recognition of its many years providing quality live theatre to youth, the Bay Area Theatre Critics honored CTA with a Circle Award. And in 2006, the Smuin Ballet Company gave a special performance to honor CTA’s contribution to the local community.