Play Time

ATTPAC sets play date with new family-friendly show series

Doktor Kaboom is bringing his Wheel of Science to the Winspear.

Photo courtesy of Doktor Kaboom

In addition to the big Broadway musicals and celebrity speakers coming to the AT&T Performing Arts Center, there will also be a flying reindeer, wacky German scientist, masked superhero trio, impressive drum corps, luminescent ducks, and a time-traveling magic tree house.

It's part of the inaugural Family Entertainment series, sponsored by Children's Health, which is bringing in six family-friendly shows featuring music, animation, science, and puppetry.

"We've curated our programming with our community in mind, including more opportunities for families to experience live performances here together," says Debbie Storey, president and CEO of AT&T Performing Arts Center. "We're grateful to Children's Health for their collaboration in staging the amazing for our families in our community."

The new season starts during the holidays, with two performances of DrumLine Live Holiday Spectacular on November 19, 2019, at the Winspear Opera House. Holiday favorites get the gospel, jazz, soul, and Motown treatment, all mixed with a hip-hop beat and the driving force of a Historically Black College and University (HBCU) marching band. The show comes direct from the team behind 20th Century Fox's hit movie Drumline and VH1's Drumline: A New Beat.

Two performances of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer: The Musical are next at the Winspear, at 1 pm and 5 pm on December 15. Based on the beloved 1964 stop-motion animated television classic, the stage show follows a young Rudolph who, because of the appearance of his bright shining nose, is excluded from the Reindeer Games. He flees Christmastown and meets up with new friends Hermey the Elf and Yukon Cornelius. After finding The Island of Misfit Toys, Rudolph journeys home, where a snowstorm of epic proportions is threatening Christmas (yes, there is also a 12-foot-tall Abominable Snowman).

The show is also partnering with PACER's National Bullying Prevention Center, offering a free toolkit to teachers that leverage the powerful messages from the Rudolph story to teach important character values. In addition, a portion of proceeds from venue sales of the book, T.E.A.M. Rudolph and the Reindeer Games, will be donated to PACER.

The popular masked crimefighters Catboy, Owlette, and Gekko are teaming up with their new friend PJ Robot in PJ Masks Live!. For two shows on January 20, 2020, at the Winspear, watch as they try to save the day from the sneaky villains Romeo, Night Ninja, and Luna Girl.

Magic Tree House: Showtime with Shakespeare will have four shows, two on January 30 and two on January 31, 2020, in the Wyly Theatre. This new hip-hop musical is based on the Magic Tree House adventure Stage Fright on a Summer Night by New York Times bestselling author Mary Pope Osborne, where Jack and Annie are whisked back to Elizabethan England and meet William Shakespeare himself.

Also enjoying four shows at the Wyly is Doktor Kaboom and The Wheel of Science, a unique, interactive presentation that is different every time. On February 3-4, 2020, find out if he's going to turn a water bottle into a rocket, catapult bananas across the stage, electrocute a pickle, or create artificial gravity.

The first season closes with one performance of Lightwire Theater's The Ugly Duckling on March 1, 2020, at the Winspear. Lined with electroluminescent wire, the beloved story of the ugly duckling plays out onstage through a cutting-edge blend of puppetry, technology, and dance. With dazzling visuals, poignant choreography, and the creative use of music that ranges from classical to pop, this production brings the classic story into a new and brilliant light.

To celebrate the new programming, ATTPAC is offering a 10 percent discount with the purchase of three or more Family Entertainment shows, excluding Magic Tree House: Showtime with Shakespeare and Doktor Kaboom and The Wheel of Science (which are already at a low ticket price of $10).

Six-show packages are on sale now and range from $113 to $301.

Tickets may be purchased online, by calling 214-880-0202, or in person at the AT&T Performing Arts Center Winspear Opera House box office.

families music science kids dance theater

A Familiar Face

Dallas Theater Center names Jaime Castañeda as new artistic director

Photo courtesy of Dallas Theater Center

Jaime Castañeda is the Tony-winning theater's new artistic director.

The Tony Award-winning Dallas Theater Center has found its next artistic director: Jaime Castañeda, who has a long history with both DTC and North Texas, will become the regional theater's sixth artistic director beginning July 2026. The 2026-27 season will be the first chosen by him.

Jonathan Norton, DTC’s resident playwright, is currently serving as interim artistic director and will continue to lead the remainder of the 2025-26 season, which culminates in the world premiere of his play Malcolm X and Redd Foxx Washing Dishes at Jimmy’s Chicken Shack in Harlem in May.

“DTC is committed to artistic excellence and community engagement, and we believe Jaime’s experience, creativity, bold vision, and proven leadership, coupled with his dedication to innovation, will guide DTC into an exciting new chapter in the life of the theater," says board chair Lynn Pride Richardson in a release.

In 2012, Castañeda directed DTC’s production of The Elaborate Entrance of Chad Deity by Kristoffer Diaz. But he began his career more than 20 years ago in Dallas-Fort Worth by founding Firestarter Productions while still attending Texas Christian University. In addition to directing at DTC, other local theater credits include Kitchen Dog Theater, Amphibian Stage, and Circle Theatre. Castañeda is a recipient of the Princess Grace Award, the Drama League Directing Fellowship, and holds a BFA from Texas Christian University and an MFA in Directing from University of Texas at Austin.

Most recently, Castañeda directed at such leading theaters across the country as American Conservatory Theater, South Coast Repertory, Huntington Theatre Company, and La Jolla Playhouse, where he previously served as associate artistic director from 2014-2018. He was also artistic associate at Off-Broadway's Atlantic Theater Company from 2009-2014.

"Jaime brings a bold, visceral artistic vision, a deep commitment to new voices, and a collaborative leadership style that inspires artists and audiences alike,” says DTC executive director Kevin Moriarty. “With his Texas roots and national experience, I am thrilled to welcome him home as DTC’s new Enloe/Rose artistic director. I have known and admired his work since 2007, when he was already one of the most exciting emerging directors in North Texas, and I later saw him create unforgettable work for DTC on the Wyly stage and at leading theaters nationwide.”

As artistic director, Castañeda will lead the theater’s artistic vision, direct and produce plays and musicals, oversee DTC’s Diane and Hal Brierley Resident Acting Company, and partner with Moriarty, the staff, and the board of trustees to advance DTC’s mission, vision, and values.

Castañeda joins a distinguished line of artistic leadership at Dallas Theater Center, including founding artistic director Paul Baker, Adrian Hall, Ken Bryant, Richard Hamburger, and Moriarty, who served as artistic director from 2007-2022.

“We are extremely pleased with a successful national search that brings Jaime to Dallas Theater Center,” says DTC board member Chris Luna. “His energy is contagious and he understands Texas and Dallas. We look forward to collaborating with Jaime as he continues his innovative approach to regional theater.”

Castañeda was selected for the role following a national search led by Management Consultants for the Arts. The search committee was co-chaired by Luna and Richardson, and included Moriarty, Norton, Jennifer Altabef, Diane Brierley, Lauren Embrey, Sam Holland (Dean, SMU Meadows School of the Arts), Sharron Hunt, Randy Kender, Julie Kosnik, Deborah McMurray, Sam Megally, Liz Mikel (DTC Brierley Resident Acting Company member), Andy Smith, Lily Weiss (executive director, Dallas Arts District) and Donna Wilhelm.

“Growing up in Texas, Dallas Theater Center was one of the first places where I saw what professional theater and excellence looked like,” Castañeda says. “I’m thrilled to come back and build on the history of artists and leaders who have been a part of this organization. I’m eager to join Kevin, the board, and our staff to create lasting theatrical experiences for our audiences.”

Dallas Theater Center's current production of A Christmas Carol runs through December 27 at the Wyly Theatre.

dallas theater center jaime castañeda kevin moriarty theater