Northwest Children’s Theater (NWCT) announces its lineup of 2025-26 productions, the first time the theater has announced a full season in five years. The lineup includes eight productions taking place within the multitude of performance spaces at The Judy Kafoury Center for Youth Arts (The Judy), NWCT’s home in downtown Portland.
“It’s very meaningful to be able to announce a full season going into our third year at The Judy,” says NWCT Artistic Director Sarah Jane Hardy. “The upcoming season includes signature events that families have come to know and love, full-scale musicals, and exciting collaborations with local theaters and artists. It’s going to be a very exciting season, and we can’t wait for families to join us.”
The season kicks off in September with Spotlight: A Family Arts Festival. This is the fifth installment of Spotlight at The Judy, and it has become a favorite event for families to discover new artists and introduce their youngest family members to the world of the performing arts. Portland is a treasure trove of incredible art, and for one weekend only, you can see it all in one place! Music, dance, theater, and visual art fill every corner of The Judy. Spotlight runs September 20 & 21 from 11 am-3 pm.
NWCT and Corrib Theatre team up for the co-production of From a Hole in the Ground by Portland-based playwright, poet, and actor Ken Yoshikawa. Commissioned and produced initially by Corrib Theatre, From a Hole in the Ground is an exploration of fairytale, time, and connection, and is inspired by Irish folklore. Someone—or something—has returned from the grave, fixated on a long due confrontation, upsetting the world of the good folk, and set to bring chaos to mortals too. A finalist for the Oregon Book Award for Drama, From a Hold in the Ground runs September 27-October 5 in The Black Box.
Get into the fall holiday spirit with the return of the Halloween Ball! This immersive event takes place in The Black Box and includes a costume parade, interactive storytime, a sing-along, and a dance party! Special Halloween treats are offered at concessions. Halloween Ball runs for three weekends, from October 11-26, with three performance times each day at 10 am, 12:30 pm, and 3 pm.
Portland kiddie rockstar Mo Phillips joins forces with Northwest Children’s Theater for a special offering just for school groups! Mo Phillips’ Impossible Musical is a choose-your-own rock and roll adventure in which audiences help Mo create an original musical at every performance. This immersive show centers the audience’s imagination and creates a world of communal joy that will delight and entertain students and teachers alike. School matinees run October 23-30 at 9:30 am and 12 pm each day.
Spend the holidays with your favorite foursome for a trip down the yellow brick road. The enduring classic The Wizard of Oz plays on the Mainstage November 29-January 4, weekends at 12 pm and 3 pm. “What better way to celebrate the holidays with loved ones than with this magical and iconic story of adventure and friendship,” says Hardy. “This version of The Wizard of Oz is very accessible for young families. With a shortened run time, it really is the perfect introduction to the world of Oz, Wicked, and many other iterations of this story.”
Get 2026 off to a groovy start with the coolest cat around! After this year’s sold-out run, Pete the Cat returns to the Mainstage January 31-February 15. Based on the smash hit book series, this fast-paced, globe-trotting musical was a hit with families earlier this year, with the youngest patrons giving the production “Three thumbs up!” and rating it “Infinite out of ten!”
And from rock and roll to jazz, NWCT is bringing back its spectacular jazzy rendition of Alice in Wonderland, March 28-April 19, 2026! This original NWCT adaptation is filled with classic characters from the White Rabbit to the Queen of Hearts and a beautiful original score inspired by jazz greats from Davis to Monk. Performance dates and showtimes to be announced!
Finally, you are cordially invited to the return of Mad Hatter’s Tea Party! Featuring the many talents of NWCT Associate Artistic Director John Ellingson, this magical and interactive extravaganza premiered to a sold-out crowd this past spring. Don your best costumes and tea party attire as you enjoy tea and treats while the show unfolds around you. Coming to The Black Box May 9-24, 2026!
Tickets are on sale now at nwcts.org. This summer, everyone is a kid at NWCT!
Get youth pricing on all tickets when you purchase by August 31 with the promo code YouthPrice25 at checkout.
School matinee performances are offered for From a Hole in the Ground, Mo Phillips’ Impossible Musical, The Wizard of Oz, and Pete the Cat. Visit nwcts.org/field-trip for more information and to book your school.
In addition to productions, NWCT will continue to offer four terms of weekend theater classes, provided in NE, SE, and downtown Portland. School break camps are offered in the Fall, Winter, Spring, and Summer in five locations around Portland, Beaverton, and Sherwood. Classes and camps are offered for ages 4-14.
EVENT & SHOW VENUE: NWCT’S Home, THE JUDY:
1000 SW Broadway, T-100
Portland, OR 97205
TICKETS nwcts.org
SCHOOL MATINEES INFO: nwcts.org/FIELD-TRIP
BOX OFFICE VOICE MAIL: 503-222-2190
$5 Arts for All tickets are available for Oregon Trail/SNAP cardholders.
Please see nwcts.org/faqs for details.
