LATEST RELEASE

September 11, 2026

Palo Alto Children’s Theatre Opens New Season and Launches $150,000 Community Fundraising Drive: Three-week Wednesday–Sunday run celebrates nearly a century of youth arts education and invites the community to support the next generation of young artists

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PALO ALTO, Calif. — Palo Alto Children’s Theatre (PACT) has begun a three-week run of the Young Actor’s Edition of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s “CATS”, the treasured Broadway musical based on Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats by T.S. Eliot.  The production runs through September 27, Wednesday through Sunday, and has launched a community effort to raise $150,000 in support of the Theatre’s artistic, educational, and outreach programs.

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The fundraising effort, led in partnership with Friends of the Palo Alto Children’s Theatre (FOPACT), will help sustain the programs that make PACT one of the region’s most enduring cultural and educational institutions. The Theatre’s season encompasses Mainstage productions throughout the year, including winter student matinees and an outdoor summer season, as well as the Playhouse Series for very young audiences, onsite outreach productions in PAUSD elementary schools, year-round classes and summer camps, accessible performances and classes, teen arts programming, and opportunities for young people to participate both onstage and behind the scenes.

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“Opening night is always a reminder of what makes this place extraordinary: children discovering their voices, artists sharing their gifts, families gathering around a story, and a staff that works with immense care and creativity to make all of it possible,” said Judge Luckey, Managing Artistic Director of Palo Alto Children’s Theatre. “PACT’s work reaches far beyond a single performance. Through the dedication of our teaching artists, production staff, front-of-house team, administrators, volunteers, and community partners, we reached more than 50,000 children last year. To continue providing these opportunities—and to keep them accessible to children and families—we need additional support from the community through FOPACT.”

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The $150,000 fundraising goal is intended to support PACT’s ongoing operations and educational mission, including the work of teaching artists, production personnel, designers, musicians, administrators, interns, volunteers, and the many staff members who create meaningful arts experiences for children throughout Palo Alto and the broader region.

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PACT has served generations of young people through theatre education, live performance, and community programming. Its work includes classroom and camp instruction, productions that place young people in cast and crew roles, school partnerships with the Palo Alto Unified School District, student matinees, and programs designed to make theatre welcoming to children of different abilities and backgrounds.

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The Theatre’s strategic direction recognizes that sustained philanthropic support is essential to maintaining affordability, investing in artistic excellence, expanding access, and ensuring long-term financial resilience. The current plan calls for FOPACT to build annual giving, foundation and corporate support, special-event revenue, and, over time, a permanent endowment to support future generations of children.

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“Our Theatre has a remarkable history, but its future depends on the community’s willingness to invest in it,” Luckey said. “We hope this three-week run brings audiences into the Theatre—not only to enjoy a wonderful production, but also to see the people and purpose behind it. Every gift helps preserve a place where children can imagine, collaborate, take creative risks, build confidence, and experience the transformative power of live theatre.”

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Community members are encouraged to attend performances during the current Wednesday-through-Sunday at 6 p.m. run, share PACT’s work with friends and neighbors, and contribute through Friends of the Palo Alto Children’s Theatre. Support will help ensure that PACT continues to offer exceptional theatre and arts education to children and families for decades to come.

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Tickets may be purchased online at tinyurl.com/pact-cats.

Donations to Friends of Palo Alto Children’s Theatre at fopact.org/donate. 

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About Palo Alto Children’s Theatre

Palo Alto Children’s Theatre is a City of Palo Alto cultural and educational institution dedicated to nurturing the intellectual, artistic, and personal development of youth through multi-arts education, performance opportunities, and theatre experiences for young audiences. Through productions, classes, camps, PAUSD outreach programs, student matinees, teen initiatives, and community events, PACT connects thousands of children and families with the arts each year. The Theatre’s strategic plan identifies a long-term commitment to artistic excellence, accessible education programming, community engagement, and diversified philanthropic support.

About Friends of Palo Alto Children’s Theatre

Friends of Palo Alto Children’s Theatre (FOPACT) is the nonprofit partner supporting Palo Alto Children’s Theatre through fundraising, community engagement, and philanthropic investment in artistic and educational programs. FOPACT’s support helps the Theatre maintain accessible programming, attract and retain outstanding teaching artists and creative professionals, strengthen educational outreach, and pursue long-term financial sustainability.

Media Contact

Judge Luckey
Managing Artistic Director
Palo Alto Children’s Theatre / Friends of Palo Alto Children’s Theatre
Judge.Luckey@paloalto.gov

(650) 463-4930

paloalto.gov/childrenstheatre

 

Friends of Palo Alto Children’s Theatre Board of Directors: fopact.org

Asawari Agrawal, Steven Atneosen, Amit Bhargava, Paula Collins, Hillary Goddard, Jill Johnson, Stephen V. Manley, John Mathews, Paige Parenti, Shobana Sankaran, Anant Singh, Komey Vishakan