About the Nonprofit
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North Texas Performing Arts is dedicated to developing the character of youth through performing arts education and family entertainment.
North Texas Performing Arts (NTPA) is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization dedicated to developing the character of youth through quality performing arts education and family entertainment. NTPA’s vision is to light the passion of the performing arts for our youth, and ensure all youth have the opportunity for the profound experience of taking the stage and having their voices heard.
NTPA’s roots go back to 1991 with the creation of the Plano Children’s Theatre founded by Sara Egelston Akers, and upon that foundation the North Texas Performing Arts was created in 2015. NTPA offers classes, camps, and productions in Collin, Dallas, and Tarrant Counties for young people ages 5-18, and adult programming through its NTPA Repertory Theatre.
Our educational philosophy is based on a leadership model we call the Ten Characters. Similar to the Scout Law, we promote the life skills of Teamwork, Leadership, Responsibility, Respect, Self-Confidence, Integrity, Discipline, Gratitude, Positive Attitude, and, above all, to Love One Another to guide our youth on a path to be become better citizens within their communities and we employ the power of literature, music, dance and drama to introduce young people to life’s lessons and experiences within the safety of our walls, before they experience it in the real world.
NTPA is comprised of five youth theatre troupes in Dallas, Fairview, Frisco, Plano, and Southlake; NTPA Starcatchers, therapeutic arts troupe for individuals with disabilities; NTPA Academy offering an innovative academic learning environment for grades 6-12, with an enhanced focus on the fine arts; and NTPA Repertory Theatre, its adult theatre company. Each of these theatre troupes has its own Board of Directors providing advise counsel and support.
Oversight and leadership of North Texas Performing Arts is provided by a diverse 24-member volunteer Governing Board of Directors made up of doctors, lawyers, educational and other professionals. NTPA’s 100+ Board Members across its family of theatres volunteer thousands of hours in support of the performing arts and youth arts education. Since 2015 the organization’s operations have been managed by Chief Executive Officer Darrell Rodenbaugh who serves NTPA full-time on a pro-bono basis.
North Texas Performing Arts is the largest youth-dedicated theatre troupe in the country. NTPA provides a safe space for those from all walks of life and with all levels of ability to experience the magic of the theater, both onstage as performers and engaged as audience members and volunteers.
Each year, NTPA “Develops the Characters” of over 11,000 young people in 180 major productions and over 1,000 performances on over a dozen stages across North Texas.
