The Willow Bend Center for the Arts home of North Texas Performing Arts and Plano Children’s Theatre Groundbreaking Ceremony took place on March 15th.  This Summer Plano Children’s Theatre, the flagship of the North Texas Performing Arts family of theatres, will be moving its operations to The Shops at Willow Bend, Plano’s premiere shopping experience. The theatres will be located on the upper level near Dillard’s. The Plano Children’s Theatre is scheduled to open at the mall September of 2017 and will be offering a full program of art, drama, dance and vocal classes and performances for youth ages 3 to 18.

The “Willow Bend Center of the Arts” will house two “mainstage” theatres, two “black box” theatres, five rehearsal studios, and a dance studio as well as a set build and costume shop and NTPA offices in the approximately 22,000-square-feet of space.

Mayor Pro Tem Lissa Smith presented a proclamation commemorating the beginning of the project explaining “This gift will impact our children and the arts in Plano for a generation, and my thanks go out to the Shops at Willow Bend, the Starwood Retail group, and its employees, owners and management.”

“The level of support from our friends with The Shops at Willow Bend and the Starwood Retail Partners has been phenomenal, and we could not be more pleased with all they have done for us” says Darrell Rodenbaugh, President of the Governing Board of Directors. “This move will fundamentally change the impact of NTPA and the performing arts for the North Dallas region.”

“With the additional space, NTPA will be able to offer a variety of programs here that are currently not possible because of lack of space,” says Founder and Executive Director, Sara Akers. “New programs will include advanced training for a career bound students, a season of Repertory Theatre Company productions featuring adults and youth in age appropriate roles, therapeutic dance, art, and a full dance program.“

“In addition to a great line-up of camps, classes and shows, we are offering some great opportunities for friends, patrons, and businesses to sponsor our facilities and programs” says Darrell Rodenbaugh, President of the NTPA Board of Directors. “This exciting move will allow us to double our reach and impact in the Plano community. We envision making the Willow Bend Center for the Arts available to help promote the arts across Plano and intend to host the events of other organizations in what will be a wonderful venue.”

According to Bruce Glasscock, Plano City Manager, “The City of Plano is very excited about the development of the North Texas Performing Arts – Plano Children’s Theatre at The Shops of Willow Bend,” says Glasscock. “We recognize the importance of growing the cultural arts in or community, which enhances our excellent quality of life. The theatre will provide a special place for children and families to enjoy the arts at a non-traditional venue.”

Naming opportunities are available for NTPA’s – Plano Children’s Theatre new space. For more information, please contact Sara Egelston Akers at sakers@ntpagroup.org

About Plano Children’s Theatre

In its 26th year of operations, The Plano Children’s Theatre is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization dedicated to developing the character of youth through quality performing arts education and family entertainment. Founded by Sara Egelston Akers, PCT now operates as part of the North Texas Performing Arts, last year offering opportunities to more than 4,000 youth ages three to 18 years old to experience the impact of the performing arts through its “learning lab” training process. The NTPA vision is to enable every child, regardless of sex, religion, race, or socio-economic limitation to have the opportunity to enjoy and experience the arts.

About The Shops at Willow Bend

The Shops at Willow Bend is located at 6121 W. Park Blvd in Plano, Texas; hours are Monday – Saturday: 10 a.m. – 9 p.m., Sunday: 12 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. Restaurants and department store hours may vary. For more information, visit ShopWillowBend.com like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest.

For more information, please go to www.northtexasperformingarts.org