VISION

We are devoted to producing transformative theatre experiences that promote social values, uphold moral integrity, and celebrate the rich cultural tapestry of our international city. Through our Main Stage Season, we offer captivating productions that resonate with the lives of elementary-age students and their families. Our after-school theatre programs provide students with a comprehensive artistic journey, encompassing drama, dance, music, and art, culminating in the creation of a school-based musical.

At the heart of our vision is a deep commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion, and representation. We recognize that the power of theatre lies in its ability to reflect and amplify the voices of all communities. Therefore, we actively seek out and collaborate with artists, writers, and performers from diverse backgrounds to ensure that our productions authentically mirror the world around us.

Our teaching techniques are firmly rooted in the principles of social-emotional learning, fostering emotional intelligence, empathy, and resilience in young minds. We are unwavering in our commitment to commissioning and developing new plays that not only entertain but also educate and enrich. By serving the needs of our metropolitan area, rich in culture, we aim to be a dynamic cultural asset to our community.

Our ultimate goal is to ensure that theatre is accessible to families from every socio-economic and cultural background, promoting healthy families and creating lasting memories that endure a lifetime, while simultaneously championing equity, diversity, inclusion, and representation as fundamental pillars of our work.

MISSION

The Children’s Theatre of Long Beach is dedicated to creating extraordinary theatre experiences that educate, challenge, and inspire young people and their communities, empowering them to become voices for positive change. We achieve this mission through a multifaceted approach, including main stage productions tailored for children and families, outreach and education programs, and the development of innovative new works specifically designed for young audiences and their families.

VALUES

DREAM

In pursuit of our mission, we firmly believe in the power of theater to serve as a dynamic conduit for igniting the aspirations and nurturing the imaginative and cognitive development of young minds. Through the immersive world of dramatic arts, we lay the groundwork of social-emotional learning, providing a platform where the younger generation and their communities can delve into an array of pertinent issues. Our goal is to provide a nurturing space where they can dream and explore the limitless possibilities of our diverse society.

CREATE

Our unwavering commitment lies in providing a thriving space for artists, fostering an environment where vibrant and professional live theater can flourish. We actively engage children, families, educators, and community members in both timeless classics and contemporary works, consistently striving to create exceptional productions. Recognizing the transformative power of the arts within our community, we actively seek fresh challenges and collaborations, encouraging the creation of meaningful and impactful experiences for all involved.

INSPIRE

We firmly hold the belief that every child possesses inherent creative potential, and we foster an environment where young performers collaborate as a team, valuing collective achievements over individual recognition. Understanding the indispensable role of parents in the growth and development of young artists, we actively encourage their involvement in the creative process. Our audiences are integral to the entire theatrical journey, and their involvement enriches our work. We remain steadfast in ensuring that live theater is accessible to all children, families, and communities, both on and off the stage, with a constant mission to inspire and uplift through the arts

A decade ago, in 2013, Children’s Theatre of Long Beach (CTLB) set out on a transformative journey with a vision to serve families with school-age children. Today, after ten years of unwavering dedication, we have not only achieved our goals but have become an integral part of the lives of hundreds of school children and their families.

CTLB, founded as an incorporated California non-profit 501(c)(3) organization, has grown to become a cornerstone of artistic excellence and community engagement in Long Beach. Our journey began in response to the growing demand for children’s theatre programs and family entertainment, and we’ve exceeded our own aspirations.

Over the years, we’ve evolved into a vital artistic resource for Long Beach schools, providing a platform for creative expression and emotional growth through theatre. We’ve also become a catalyst for building collaborative partnerships within our community, fostering a sense of togetherness that transcends the stage.

One of the cornerstones of our success has been our commitment to incorporating the principles of Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) into our programs. SEL has become an integral part of our curriculum, fostering emotional intelligence, empathy, and resilience in young minds. Through carefully chosen classic literary and theatrical works, our Main Stage productions, After-School Programs, and Workshops offer engaging, enriching, and educational experiences that resonate with children and their families on a deeply emotional level.

Situated in the heart of an international city celebrated for its cultural diversity, CTLB has become a unifying force. We’ve created opportunities for our city’s wide-ranging population to come together and forge new experiences for their children.

Our productions and programs have become a vehicle for access to the arts, ensuring that families from every background and with varied resources can partake in our extensive programming. Theatre, we believe, is a powerful catalyst for engagement, inspiration, and community building.

As we celebrate a decade of enriching lives, CTLB stands as a testament to the transformative power of theatre, our journey continues, fueled by the belief that the arts can foster unity, spark creativity, and bring communities together in meaningful and lasting ways.

SEAN McMULLEN- President/CEO
Sean is a teacher at the Orange County School of the Arts (OCSA) and a graduate of California Institute of the Arts (CAL ARTS) with an Master of Fine Arts in Theatre. Winner of the Princess Grace Foundation’s Excellence in Theatre Award and Long Beach Hero 2014, Sean has been choreographing and directing theatre for all ages for the past 15 years. Before Sean started directing he designed for the theatre in venues as small as 60 seats and in excess of 3000. From children’s theatre, equity waiver, civic light opera to music circus Sean has enjoyed the varied challenges each space has to offer.  Sean has designed and assistant designed sets, costumes and scenery regionally and on Broadway working with designers Christopher Barreca and Douglas Rogers as well as for Directors Glenn Casale and Matthew August.