Where dreams come to play

Central Texas Theatre Academy Where “make believe” is encouraged

BY ERNIE ALTGELT

Have you ever watched your kids play “make believe?” Remarkable, isn’t it? Their fertile imaginations allowing them to effortlessly pretend as they create and act-out amazing scenarios that can blend (and bend) reality by infusing other-worldly elements forming fantastic and fabulous storylines. The young are simply “naturals” where role-playing is concerned and the consensus seems to indicate this is an emotionally healthy thing to encourage. But, how can a caring parent do that?

Well, for many in and around Wimberley, the solution can be summed up in a few words – the Central Texas Theater Academy. Founded solely to inspire, coax, nurture and perfect young people’s innate acting abilities in a well-run, structured atmosphere is what the CTTA is all about and it’s not just “playing” around. Since 2020, this dedicated, community-supported organization has welcomed hundreds of emoting and inventive “tots to teens” with the aim of professionally and appropriately enhancing their powers of transformative creativity – on stage and off. And aside from the laudable result of bestowing poise, confidence and communicative skills to those within its youthful and eager student body, the general populace benefits as well from an annual series of regularly staged (and raved) public productions delighting not only the kiddos but, their family, friends and all other patrons of the arts seeking an entertaining show where it’s the young who take center stage. Bravo, CTTA!The Central Texas Theatre Academy grew into being when another local artistic organization ceased its child-oriented theater programming department.

That department had been ably headed by the very accomplished (and nationally recognized) Bridget Farias Gates, a local lady with a BFA degree in directing from Texas State University as well as a working actress, writer and producer. Bridget was determined to “find a way” to

See CTTA, page 11

CTTA, from page 10

keep the popular children’s’ program active and, as she concedes, “The establishment of the CTTA proved to be the answer.”

Initially opening as a theater school for boys and girls aged five through 12 and focusing on the basic elements that comprise acting, today the student population now welcomes those up to 18-years-old with more advanced study tracks including singing, dancing, directing, set and light design and other aspects of technical theater. Ten- and 15-week sessions are conducted throughout the year – after school during those months and then at well-attended summer camps.

The classes are all held at the CTTA campus in Wimberley which includes a large studio space with full wall mirrors (great for dance instruction) and a technically-equipped performance stage. The faculty is comprised of Bridget and another well-trained (BFA in performance production) actress named Hannah Mobarak who functions as the primary teaching artist.

She and Bridget are ably aided by three other gifted teachers. Supporting these are myriad, treasured volunteers who handle all of the other necessities, from fund-raising and ticket taking to costume and set construction as well as anything else that can ensure that, when the time is right, “The play will go on!”

So, the learning aspect is certainly fun but, what about the actual plays? Well, for the little guys and gals, at the end of their introductory, 10-week sessions, there will be a scaled-down performance where, as Bridget attests, “They can try out what they’ve learned and, get their feet wet.”

Parents love attending. For the intermediate students, a more testing play will be the culmination of their longer session. And then there’s the older classmates. For them a full-length, song and dance-filled musical performed to an actual paying audience is on tap. It’s the big time!

Add to those a special Shakespeare on the River program that is done in partnership with Blue Hole Regional Park that comprises a six-week high school Shakespeare Intensive course for students ages 12-18 and, well, you get the idea. All in all, the Central Texas Theatre Academy really is the “make believe” place where pre-teen, tweens and teens can go and grow into tomorrow’s creative communicators and maybe even future performing arts stars. Break a leg young actors!

Photos courtesy Central Texas Theatre Academy..

FYI • The Central Texas Theatre Academy is located in the Plaza Del Sol center at 12111 Ranch Road 12, Suite 111-113, in Wimberley. For more information — including session enrollment, making donations, performance titles and dates and other important information—visit centextheatre.org or call 512-738-3057. CTTA can also be found on Facebook.

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