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BACKGROUND In 1999, the City of Pleasanton's Civic Arts Division developed and implemented a children's theatre based program known as the "Civic Arts Stage Company". At that time, all professional, artistic, technical and administrative support was provided by City of Pleasanton staff. After nine (9) successful years, the demand generated by the "Civic Arts Stage Company" program on both the Civic Arts and Support Services Division(s) grew to more than the City could accommodate on its own. The City then contracted out services from 2008-2010. In 2010 the City initiated a Request for Proposals (RFP) for children's theatrical production services. That contract expired in 2013 and another RFP was issued. Two (2) production companies responded to the RFP and ultimately Bay Area Children's Theatre (BACT) was chosen to provide children's theatrical services. The current contract with BACT will expire on June 30, 2016. As a result, a RFP process was conducted this past fall and one (1) children's theatrical company, Bay Area Children's Theatre, responded. A Screening Committee consisting of two (2) Civic Arts Commissioners and City staff reviewed the proposal. The Screening Committee unanimously voted to recommend Bay Area Children's Theatre as the City's provider of children's theatrical production services. The Committee was thoroughly impressed with Bay Area Children's Theatre's experience and high level of professionalism. They felt strongly that Bay Area Children's Theatre would not only continue the excellent level of theater that the community had come to expect, but the City's program would continue to grow and the experiences for the community would only be more enriched. DISCUSSION Currently, Bay Area Children's Theatre (BACT) offers four (4) different types of children's theatre programs: 1) main-stage productions; 2) educational drama classes; 3) touring production companies; and 4) pre-school theatre classes and productions. Over the past three (3) years, BACT has assisted the City of Pleasanton in creating a safe, educational, and fun performing arts environment for our participants and families by hiring three different high-quality directors for each production while maintaining the much needed presence of the same stage manager; important for program consistency in youth work. Additionally, BACT's staff have been exemplary program partners and are always available to discuss the program's quality and growth. In the interest of program consistency, BACT and City staff has established artistic and program "norms" that are used among all of the City's performing arts programs (Drama Camps, Creatures of Impulse, Youth Music Festival, and Vocal Coaching). BACT also facilitates the Young Performers program which is an arts education companion to Civic Arts Stage Company for youth ages 5-10 years old. The popularity of the Young Performers program has grown so quickly, the recent spring class sessions sold out on the very first day of online registration. A third Saturday session was added to accommodate the demand. Page 2 of 3