The Collingswood Youth Theatre, founded by Mrs. Barbara Lefkoe and sponsored by the Borough of Collingswood, began in the spring of 1995.  The first show, "Unhappily Ever After", had a cast of 40 students from 3rd through 6th grades who performed during the last weekend in April in the Collingswood Middle School auditorium.

In the summer of 1995, the Collingswood Board of Education added the summer theatre workshop to its list of enrichment programs.  Twenty-two students from grades 3 through 8 were involved in that first summer show, performed during the last week of July.

The purpose of the Youth Theatre is to provide experiential learning to elementary and middle school-aged children interested in the performing arts.  Each child participates in the entire process of putting on a theatrical production including auditions, read-through rehearsal, approximately 15 rehearsals to learn the techniques of acting, dress and technical rehearsals and, of course, the performances!

Over the past 16 years, the Youth Theatre has performed many shows including "The Wizard of Oz", "Enchanted Sleeping Beauty", "Cinderella", "Aladdin Jr.", "Pocahontas", "Charlotte's Web", "Annie, Jr.", "Robin Hood" (with original music by Collingswood resident Tim Ward), "The Adventures of Pinocchio" (written and composed by Collingswood resident Jack Jeckot), and "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat".  The cast size has grown to approximately 65 young performers per show.  Collingswood residents may register during the first 2 weeks of the enrollment period which is at the beginning of November for the spring show and the beginning of May for the summer show, at which time any slots left are available to residents of other communities.  Registration forms are sent through the Collingswood schools with extra forms available at the schools' offices.  There is a tuition fee to cover expenses for the workshop.  All registered children receive a part in the show.

Each production involves many dedicated and talented adult and youth volunteers.  With committees dedicated to sets, props, costumes, make-up, ticket sales, program production, concessions and the cast party, every show becomes something special.  There is a need for talents of many kinds, and frequently many members of the family become involved in the theater process.

Adults as well as children of all ages are invited to see the young performers of the Youth and Summer Theatres create theater magic.  So save our dates, the last weekend in April and the Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday evenings of the last full week in July, to support the efforts of our wonderful cast members and see a great show!

If you are interested in participating in the youth theatre productions, please contact Mrs. Barbara Lefkoe at blefkoe@verizon.net or by phone at 856-667-2722 or contact Mrs. AnneMarie Dunn at amandjd.dunn@verizon.net or by phone at 856-854-1514. The Collingswood Youth Theatre is looking for "Friends" to make a donation to help offset production costs and enable the young actors to present a quality show.  For more information on how you can help, jump to the Recreation Department site by clicking here.

Registration for the Spring 2012 show, "The Adventures of Pinocchio" will begin on November 2, 2011.  Registration forms are available on-line at www.collingswoodrecleague.com or you can download one below.