About ATFC
ABOUT US​
Our Vision
A Theater For Children was founded in 2016 to serve the residents of Sonoma County. Our goal is to become a role model, demonstrating how to provide children with life-changing opportunities to develop character and confidence, promoting cooperation among multiple generations, and building community through the theater arts.
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Our Programs
A Theater For Children provides quality affordable live entertainment to the community as well as opportunities for children to perform in our productions at no cost to participants. Participation in the magic of theater, whether behind the scenes or in front of an audience, sparks imagination and ingenuity and helps to build community and character.
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During our first years of operation, we offered an after-school theater program at Kid Street Learning Center, as well as the Boys & Girls Club of Central Sonoma County.
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In the summer of 2019, we offered a summer drama camp for children who have faced life altering challenges.
In Fall 2020, using funding from Creative Sonoma grant, we launched two large school productions of Disney's Lion King KIDS at Kid Street Charter School and Bellevue Elementary Schools. In Fall 2020, because of the global pandemic, we took our programming online with Zoom versions of Alex & The Magic Staff, a Playwriting Workshop, and a Youth Playwriting Competition, inspired by our theme for the season "It Takes a Village to Raise a Child."
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Each year we produce 2-3 main stage productions. Our main stage shows include well-loved interpretations of classic children’s literature, folklore or mythology, as well as new works. See our Gallery for more information.
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For each major production, we provide complimentary tickets to non-profits who serve vulnerable children so they can see our productions at no cost.
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A Theater For Children is a Fiscally Sponsored Project of Inquiring Systems, Inc. (ISI). ISI is a California Nonprofit 501 (c) (3) Corporation Founded in 1978. Their fiscal sponsorship provides us with administrative and legal support, which frees us up to focus on running our innovative programs.
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Our Participants
People of all ages, ethnicities, and gender orientations are encouraged to participate in our programs. We strive to empower individuals to express themselves and to discover, develop, and share their talents and skills. We promote respect and friendship among children, teens, and adults as they work together in the many aspects of our program. New volunteers are always welcome!
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ATFC Leadership
Our Leadership brings a vast amount of theatrical experience as well as professional expertise in finance, sales, entrepreneurial management and marketing. We strive to exemplify excellent leadership and adopt best practices. We promote an organizational culture of kindness, encouragement, and cooperation and strive to be inclusive, positive, and flexible. And, we have fun!
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WHO WE ARE
CORE VOLUNTEERS
JIM PLAISTED
MILLIE PLAISTED
BRIDGET PALMER
BEVERLY ESPERON
CHARLIE BIRD
EMILY STOCKERT
KRIS KNUTSEN
NICOLE HILL
ALYCIA GLAUDE
CHARLIE MIKULIK
LISA MCKEE
CHRIS MCKEE
LISA DEMARTINI CRAWFORD
CHRIS GRABILL
LAURA HIBDON
SPONSORS
COUNTY OF SONOMA
SUNRISE HORSE RESCUE
VETERANS OF FOREIGN WARS
SONOMA VOITURE NO. 338 OF THE 40 & 8
US AMERICAN LEGION
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PARTNERS
KIDS STREET LEARNING CENTER
CITY OF SANTA ROSA
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LEADERSHIP
JIM PLAISTED
PRESIDENT
BRIDGET PALMER
EXECUTIVE
DIRECTOR
JIM has been involved with community theater for over 20 years, and served on the board of another community youth theater program for many of them.
BRIDGET has been leading after-school performance classes, school-based drama education, and drama camps for ages 4-14 in Sonoma County for over 20 years. She has a special love for comedy improv and has also taught 8th grade drama for 4 years.
BEVERLY ESPERON