Ellis County Children’s Theater

Ellis County Children’s Theater offers year-round classes that include Center Stage, Fundamentals of Acting, and Theater Basics. Students participate in major productions such as Wizard of Oz Jr., Alice in Wonderland, Matilda, and Putnam County Spelling Bee, with three to four major productions each year.

• Ages: 5–18 years old

Ellis County Children’s Theater (ECCT) was founded in 2008 by Gail Stutts Harrell and has been educating kids in performing arts since 2008. The program provides theater arts education to children in Ellis and surrounding counties in grades Kindergarten through twelfth grades. ECCT is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization and is described as a forum for artistic collaboration, an educational resource for local residents, and a vehicle to enrich children’s lives in Ellis, Navarro, Dallas, and Tarrant counties.

Instructors at Ellis County Children’s Theater are Texas certified teachers and professional directors. The program states that it celebrates diversity and its power to improve and enhance any and all theater experiences, respects human dignity and inclusion of all children, and maintains a compassionate environment for all to participate. Year-round classes and three to four major productions are available to all students regardless of socio-economic background, ethnicity, or physical ability. Ellis County Children’s Theatre has zero tolerance of child abuse, and it is the policy of ECCT to diligently empower and protect youth by providing safe spaces for theatre education and experiences.

For performances, families are asked to arrive 30 minutes before the start time to get tickets and seats, turn off all electronics, minimize noise during the performance, and avoid flash photography and video recording, which are strictly prohibited.

Last updated February 2, 2026.