Children's Musical Theaterworks...
is the Valley's only non-profit theater company dedicated to the training of young performers in the area of musical theater and the arts. It was started in 1996 by Joel C. Abels, as a way to give back to the Valley's youth by providing quality musical theater training in a safe and positive environment. Through the dedicated efforts of the CMT staff of theater educators, Children's Musical Theaterworks is well on its way to being the Valley's premiere theater company for youth in the San Joaquin Valley.
Since 1997, Children's Musical Theaterworks has produced over thirty main stage and touring productions. CMT's productions have been seen by over 45,000 Valley audience members. Over 1000 youth performers have performed with CMT. CMT costumers have created over 2,700 costumes for our productions. Parent volunteers have logged over 40,000 hours building scenery and sewing costumes. CMT productions have been seen in a variety of Valley venues, such as: Washington Union High School, Sierra Vista Mall, Manchester Center, NorthPointe Community Church and our current home, The Fresno Memorial Auditorium.
Mission Statement
Children's Musical Theaterworks is committed to providing excellent, accessible musical theater training and performances for youth, families, educational institutions and the entire community. Children's Musical Theaterworks recognizes the value of artistic expression and social interaction. CMT's guiding principals include: Casting all who audition, placing priority on the highest professional standards in all areas of production, providing a positive environment in which youth can learn teamwork, communication skills and the pride of accomplishment, allowing the opportunity for youth to learn from early childhood to young adulthood to work together and learn from each other, recognizing diversity of racial, ethnic, social and economic backgrounds in our audiences and performers.
Children's Musical Theaterworks continues to work toward becoming the most comprehensive regional arts institution for youth in the Central Valley.
Children's Musical Theaterworks is a non-profit organization dedicated to teaching and training in all aspects of musical theater. This volunteer organization has no salaried employees and depends on donations and proceeds from ticket sales to operate.