CCTv: Virtual Theatre & Learning

CCTv is the YouTube Channel that we launched during the Covid-19 pandemic to help us stay connected with our audience and community during this strange time. This Virtual Theatre and Learning platform is full of professionally produced virtual theatre, arts activities from our wonderful teaching artists, and original material created by our students taking part in our classes and camps.

Edward The Tap Dancing Elephant
Edward The Tap Dancing Elephant

CCT presents the original story and song Edward The Tap Dancing Elephant by acclaimed musician Ralph Covert, of Ralph's World, and featuring Time Brickey! Edward the Elephant was always told he couldn't live his dream of being a famous tap dancer - but when he sneaks out of the zoo to meet his tap dancing idol …

This Ability

When an international cat-star escapes from O’Hare and is lost on the streets of Chicago, who will come to the rescue? Akeh, a young autistic person, uses his popular hashtag #thisability to start the search for the runaway kitty. As news spreads, will Moore, a young Deaf person, and Faith, a young Blind person, be …

The Relocation of Nokwsi

Watch Now The Relocation of Nokwsi is a virtual puppet production by Robert Hicks Jr, inspired by the experiences of his grandfather, the title character. Nokwsi invites audiences to gather round and listen to the story of his journey away from his people, the Cherokee, Paiute, Yakama, and Shoshone, to live and work in Chicago. No …

Exquisite

Before Gwendolyn Brooks became the first Black person to win the Pulitzer Prize, she was a little girl who dared to dream. Inspired by the Coretta Scott King Award-winning book by Suzanne Slade and illustrated by Cozbi A. Cabrera, Exquisite: The Poetry and Life of Gwendolyn Brooks introduces viewers to one of Chicago’s most treasured poets, who …

Maybe Something Beautiful

Maybe Something Beautiful is a bilingual virtual production featuring murals, music, and puppetry from Chicago Children’s Theatre and the Negaunee Music Institute at the Chicago Symphony Orchestra (CSO). Inspired by the award-winning book by F. Isabel Campoy and Theresa Howell, illustrated by Rafael López, the piece brings together five CSO musicians performing classical works by Latino …

Diamond's Dream

Diamond’s Dream is a virtual puppet production that takes place on a CTA Red Line train traveling south through pandemic-era Chicago. Diamond, a pre-teen African-American boy, has fallen asleep on the train while on his way to visit his dying grandmother. When he awakes, time and reality have shifted, and he meets the ghost of …

My Magic Breath

My Magic Breath combines animated storybook illustrations, solo musical performances by musicians from the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, and narration by First Lady of Chicago Amy Eshleman to help young children—along with their parents, caregivers, and teachers—harness the calming and restorative power of mindful breathing. We developed the piece in partnership with the CSO as a …

Doll Face Has a Party!

Doll Face Has a Party! is a charming, zany, 10-minute toy theater show directed by Brian Selznick, writer and illustrator of “The Invention of Hugo Cabaret” and “The Houdini Box,” and the illustrator of the 20th anniversary “Harry Potter” box set. The show is based on the 1994 children’s picture book written by Pam Conrad and …

Leo Lionni's FREDERICK

Frederick marks our first, but not last, venture into releasing fresh online content for children and families via CCTv. The Caldecott Award-winning picture book by Leo Lionni comes to brand new life as a clever and colorful virtual puppet show gently narrated by Michael Shannon, a founder of Chicago’s A Red Orchid Theatre and star …

Walkie Talkies

Walkie Talkies are fun, totally original audio experiences families can listen to together while exploring different Chicago neighborhoods. Each episode was commissioned by Chicago Children’s Theatre and created by a different local theater artist, resulting in a fun and educational new audio series that children and families can enjoy together while learning more about the …

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Podcasts

Enjoy our exciting podcast series: Walkie Talkies and X Marks the Spot. Walkie Talkies are fun, totally original audio-adventures for families to listen to together while exploring Chicago neighborhoods. X Marks the Spot is a 5 part audio-play conceived and directed by CCT Artistic Director Jacqui Russell.

Walkie Talkies X Marks the Spot

Classes and Camps

Learn the basics of acting, improv, songwriting, scenic and prop design, choreography, collaborative story development, and more!

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The Red Kite Project

Check out CCT’s original theatrical and educational programming for youth on the autism spectrum.

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