Children's Theatre of Terre Haute Inc.
Upcoming Events
Meet our Directors
Dixie Brown
Spring Musical Director
In celebration of its 50th anniversary season, May 1987, Dixie Brown directed Winnie-The-Pooh. With a cast of 46 youth and many more helping behind the scenes, this production returned Children's Theatre to its original purpose of offering theatre for and by children.
Brown, a native of Kansas, received a Bachelor’s from Kansas Wesleyan in Salina in speech and theatre and Master’s in acting and directing from the University of Kansas. She taught theatre in public schools in Kansas and taught stagecraft at Topeka High.
The Brown’s moved to Terre Haute in 1984. In addition to directing Children’s Theatre, Dixie was Executive Director of Leadership Wabash Valley from 1991-2010.
Dixie has continued to enjoy directing the spring production every year since 1989. Her family also became involved in the organization. Her daughters Alison and Valerie both participated in productions and return to Terre Haute annually to be a part of the audience. While living, her husband Tom helped build sets and was recognized by the organization for his volunteer work. And since birth, grandsons Preston Thomas and Grant Edison travel from Tennessee to see the shows as well as granddaughter, Reina Hope, from Indianapolis (and sometimes dance in the aisles).
Spring Musicals
Ted Compton
Fall Performance director
In 2011, CT brought in Ted Compton to direct the Fall Production. Children’s Theatre was on the cusp of celebrating their 75th Anniversary, and bringing in Ted Compton, a former alumni of Children’s Theatre productions is a testament to the lasting beneficial impression this organization had on Ted’s childhood. Ted lists Dixie Brown, who directed Ted in the 1995 CT production of Sleeping Beauty, as one of his favorite theatrical mentors. Ted continues to direct the fall production to this date, as well as overseeing the Children’s Theatre’s summer workshop program.
Compton, a native of Terre Haute, received a Bachelor of Science, with a focus in Theatrical Direction and playwriting, from Indiana State University. Ted has been active in many local theatre groups and has directed professionally both in Muncie, Indiana and for a theatrical camp in New York. At Indiana State University, Ted was among the founding members of FUSION, a group of theatre students who brought theatre education and workshops to the Terre Haute area. In the spring of 2011, Ted founded On the Line Productions, a licensed non-profit theatre group, focused in awareness and community building. On The Line Productions has made donations to The C.A.N.D.L.E.S Holocaust Museum as well as The Will Center.
In his mind, Theatre means family, and Ted’s family is also very active in theatre. Ted’s wife Amelia has assistant directed. Ted and Amelia are the proud parents of two beautiful daughters, Cecilia and Felicity, who both have a flair for theatrics and are both very familiar faces at Children’s Theatre. In 2022, son Hanson was born and, like his sisters, will be able to say he experienced theatre from his year of birth!
Dan Rodriguez
Spring Production
Musical Director
Dan Rodriguez is a native of Hammond, Indiana but now calls Terre Haute, Indiana home. Dan attended Indiana State University where he studied music education. Dan was an elementary school music teacher for two years in Brazil, Indiana. Currently, Dan works at Maple Avenue United Methodist Church in Terre Haute as the full time Music and Program Director and has been employed there for over 20 years. Dan teaches private voice lessons to students of all performance levels. One of Dan's true passions is conducting. Dan started conducting early in his musical career and has enjoyed every minute of it since. Dan has traveled all over the Midwest as a clinician, performer, and conductor. Performance credits have been filled with various professional and non-professional groups. Dan has performed with the Indianapolis Opera, was the baritone soloist for "Mass of the Children" at Lincoln Trail College in Illinois, and was a finalist in the vocal competition titled Hoosier Star with the LaPorte Symphony Orchestra in LaPorte, Indiana. Dan created and runs the Maple Avenue Summer Dinner Theatre Program in Terre Haute which has recently completed its 12th season. Dan has been selected 5 times throughout the state of Indiana as guest conductor/clinician for Circle the State with Song. Dan is so happy to be working with the Terre Haute Children’s Theatre as music director and loves working along side directors Dixie Brown and Ted Compton.
Brandon Halleck
Spring Production
Choreographer
Brandon Halleck had been the owner of The Dance Studio since 2002. He has been the Chief Operating Officer of Chances for Youth since 1997 and has successfully raised money for the organization with the Terre Haute's Dancing with the Stars annual event.
In 2018. he began sharing his talent and choreography skills with Children's Theatre.
Aside from volunteering for Children's Theatre, you might find him dressed as a Grinch when at a school participating in Real Men Read, or in a Santa costume ringing a bell for the Salvation Army. He is a Real Estate agent who enjoys flying off in his plane for frequent trips.
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Laura Reed
Fall Performance Assistant Director & Spring Stage Manager
Laura Reed has been involved in live theatre since she was a little girl. She was in her first show when she was nine years old. children’s theater of Terre Haute produced Charlotte's Web.
She definitely got bit by the theatre bug.
Laura enjoys all aspects of theatre and is happy to share her passion with the amazing youth of the community.
