With the disappearance of arts in many schools, it’s important to find artistic opportunities for kids outside of the classroom. East Valley Children’s Theatre exposes kids to literature and story-telling concepts, so that they begin to ask questions, apply critical thinking, and reach beyond the words to understand a character’s motivations and worldview. When immersed in EVCT programming, students are encouraged to explore their imaginations, to write and tell their own stories. Whether a child continues to be involved in theatre as they mature into adulthood, or moves onto other interests, they bring their appreciation of the arts and the process of putting together a production with them. Research shows that people who are appreciators of the arts have a greater understanding of cultural references and appreciation for different cultures in general.