Community Corner

Cobb Children's Theatre Calls It Quits

For over 40 years, the nonprofit all-volunteer Cobb Children's Theatre has been a positive force in the community. Ryan Karstensen, who was with the theater for over 30 years, says goodbye to CCT.

closed its curtains for the last time on March 20.

"For over 30 years Cobb Children's Theatre has been privileged to serve our community in unique ways, and we have been blessed with the support of our community in return," said on the theater's website.

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Karstensen has been involved with the nonprofit for most of his life. The theater first started performances in 1970. , the year his parents Leslie and Norm took over the organization.

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"Cobb Children's Theatre created a community that brought strangers together who became long lasting friends," he said on the website. "We were the venue for imagination soaring large and small. Friends were made here and lives were changed."

Last October, . CCT did three shows a year, each with around 40 kids from 10 to 25-years-old.

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In addition to performances and building a family, CCT helped local schools with productions, donated items and rented costumes to local theaters and productions, and created a community outreach program called the CCT Princesses. These princesses were out at the . They also participated in a Cystic Fibrosis Walk last year.

 In 2011, for its Into the Woods production. The theater won best wardrobe and best set design.  

Each show cost the theater between $14,000 and $18,000 to produce and around 98 percent of CCT's funds came from ticket sales. The theater had around 40 volunteers. 

"I feel that I have fulfilled the part of my duty that tied me to Cobb Children's Theatre, and I say farewell to you," Karstensen said. "Reviewing my life, I know I have worked with integrity and dedication to the craft."

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