The mission of the Children’s Playhouse of Maryland, Inc. (CPM) is to provide theatrical experiences for young people in Baltimore’s diverse metropolitan area. The goals of CPM are to make live theatre accessible to all children, to enable young people to gain an appreciation for the arts, as well as confidence and a sense of responsibility, and to provide training and practice in acting and theatre production for youth. Children’s Playhouse of Maryland, Inc. is a nonprofit community theatre organization dedicated to youth performers ages 18 and under. We provide training for children in the areas of acting and theatre production. We believe that working with children through theatre enables them to gain confidence, a sense of responsibility, and an appreciation for the arts. At the same time we are offering a live theatre experience to young audience members in the greater Baltimore community. Children’s Playhouse of Maryland, Inc. is a community resource for activities, education, and training of young people. Children’s Playhouse of Maryland, Inc. (CPM) evolved from The Young People’s Players (founded in 1986 by Diane Smith and other owners) and set up residence in The Towson Dinner Theatre in Towson, Maryland. The young people’s theatre was self-supporting and when the main theatre was closed in 2001, The Young People’s Players changed names, (Children’s Playhouse of MD) filed and received nonprofit status and moved to 6501 North Charles Street, on the grounds of Sheppard Pratt Health Systems in Towson, Maryland. CPM rented office and auditorium space at this location. In November of 2004 CPM was offered and accepted a residency on the campus of CCBC Essex where they moved into a newly renovated performance space with new lighting and sound systems. This is where CPM resides and performs today. There are a number of ways to become involved with the Playhouse. Our mainstage season runs from September to May and consists of 4 musicals a year. Auditions are open to anyone in the community 18 and under. No experience necessary and there is no fee. If your child is cast in a mainstage show CPM absorbs all the expense. Auditions take place on a show by show basis throughout the season. Full audition details are posted when available on our website as well as on Facebook, Instagram, and in our email Newsletter Art Notes. (*Please Note our Mainstage Program as described above is currently suspended in response to the Covid-19 pandemic. Stay tuned for updates as Maryland State and Federal guidelines evolve.) In addition to our Mainstage Season we also offer both a Fall and Spring session of our Apprentice Company for young performers in Grades 1 - 8. The Apprentice Company is a fee based program that meets for 12 weeks, and rehearses for 2 hours on Saturday. Young people experience all that goes into putting on a musical theatre production, from auditions to performance. On the final Saturday of the session they present a fully staged musical in our mainstage theatre for family and friends. No experience necessary. (*Please Note in response to the Covid-19 pandemic our Apprentice Company as described above is currently rehearsing and performing virtually via ZOOM. Email cpm@ccbcmd.edu for details.) Lastly, CPM hosts an annual Summer Performance Workshop for ages 6 - 15. During this popular 3 week program participants produce a show from start to finish. Morning sessions include segments of theatre, movement, music, prop construction, and theatre production. After a break for lunch, the afternoon session consists of show rehearsals. This is a fee based program. The Summer Performance Workshop typically runs Monday - Friday the third week in July through the first week in August. (*Please Note in response to the Covid -19 pandemic planning for Summer Workshop 2021 is still in process. Stay tuned for updates as details are finalized.)