WHEREAS, The Children's Theatre was founded in the state of Virginia in 1967 to introduce young people to all aspects of theatre arts through performances for and by children as well as educational programs held year-round; and,

WHEREAS, Encore Stage & Studio was created in 2002 as an umbrella organization that includes not only The Children's Theatre but also Act III which provides theatre opportunities to older youth and adults; and,

WHEREAS, The Children's Theatre has produced 152 plays over the past 40 years and provided opportunities to more than 5,000 children to perform onstage and work backstage; and,

WHEREAS, The Children's Theatre, through Encore Stage & Studio, has guided many youths into careers in the arts and helped countless other children develop an appreciation of the arts that has lasted well into adulthood and lives on in their children who are now the second generation of participants; and,

WHEREAS, in honor of its 40th season, The Children's Theatre will be performing the musical "Redwall" at the Thomas Jefferson Community theatre beginning on June 1, 2007;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Paul Ferguson, Chairman of the County Board of Arlington, Virginia, do hereby recognize March 25, 2007, as the 40th ANNIVERSARY OF THE CHILDREN'S THEATRE in Arlington and urge all residents to learn more about Encore Stage & Studio and what its programs have to offer adults and children alike.

Paul Ferguson
Chairman

Paul Ferguson at the 40th Anniversary Celebration. Photo by Larry McClemons