Since 1971, each production season of the San Diego State University Department of Theatre has included plays for children. A version of Pinocchio in November 1971 launched the tradition. From this focus blossomed the Children’s Theatre Touring Company, now known as Theatre for Young Audiences, a cultural outreach program for K through 9 students throughout San Diego County. In 1998, theatre professor Maggi McKerrow, who founded and directs the Child Drama Program, established the Theatre of the World festival. This annual event brings a slate of international plays for young people to the SDSU campus.

Photograph relating to the 1977 production of Puppets! This show was created by SDSU students in the puppetry class and featured retellings of fairy tales and other children’s stories. (Department of Theatre Records)

From left: Jack and the Beanstalk, a production by the Children’s Theatre, 1972. Flyer; Circus Home, a production by the San Diego State University Theatre for Young Audiences, 1981. Poster; Paper-hat programs from the 1973 production of Winnie-The-Pooh. (Department of Theatre Records)

Members of the cast of Dragonwings, a production that was featured during the 1999 Theatre of the World Festival.
Photograph.(Department of Theatre Records)