Our History
Fantasy Playhouse Children’s Theater & Academy (FPCTA) unofficially began in 1957 as part of Huntsville Little Theatre children's production. The production was a yearly show. A few years later in 1960, the NASA Marshall Flight Center opened. Huntsville experienced a population boom as scientists and engineers moved to the city. Many of these scientists and engineers were German. Not only did they bring their families, but their philosophy on education. Arts education was a core tenet of German education. It is no surprise that in 1960, when Huntsville Little Theatre planned to cancel their only children’s production, that thespians and parents decided to form their own theatrical company focusing on children. FPCTA Children’s Theatre and Academy was officially born. A year later, FPCTA put on its first productions. FPCTA produced four shows during their first season. Their first shows being John Van Druten’s “Bell, Book and Candle.” Board members Helen Herriott and Wilarie Barto oversaw much of the production of FPCTA. Herriott directed many plays during FPCTA’s first decade.
The first few decades of FPCTA’s life was spent moving from building to building. FPCTA originally started production on the top floor of Cotton Row. FPCTA spent 1961-1963 at Cotton Row before being moved to a temporary civic art center on Clinton Avenue. After ten years, FPCTA moved again to Rison High School. Huntsville was still adapting to the population increase due to Redstone Arsenal and the Marshall Flight Center. In order to improve traffic, the city planned to construct what is now Interstate 565. Rison High School was planned to be demolished for the interstate’s construction. FPCTA moved to 201 White St, and then again to Council School. When FPCTA wasn’t moving, they were providing the Huntsville community with arts education and entertainment. In 1975, the Von Braun Center was opened. FPCTA and many other production companies began to put on shows at the VBC Playhouse. FPCTA’s first show at the VBC was “Jack and the Giant Beanstalk” in 1975. During the late 70s, FPCTA saw great success performing shows at the VBC Playhouse. 1979’s Snow White production and 1981’s Cinderella production both sold out at the VBC. In 1989, FPCTA debuted their own production of a Christmas Carol at the VBC Playhouse. A Christmas Carol, like many other FPCTA productions, was crafted and created in house.
After moving to various buildings, FPCTA purchased their own building, Long Avenue. The purchasing of Long Avenue in 1997 marked a turning point for FPCTA. Classes were no longer taught in the homes of volunteers, and more diverse classes were offered in the academy. FPCTA began offering arts education classes during and after school hours. Teaching became more formalized at Long Avenue. The star wall was introduced while at Long Ave. FPCTA was growing into a bigger production company, so in 2008, board members hired FPCTA first full time employee. Ruth Erwin served as FPCTA’s first executive director. In 2012, FPCTA hired their second executive director, Karen Mockensturm. At the same time, the Alabama legislature announced cuts to the state’s education budget. Arts education was among the many programs hurt in the budget cuts. Staying true to FPCTA’s founding belief, Fantasy in the Classroom was introduced in many schools across Madison County. The program allowed schools who lost their art courses to continue arts education.
In 2014, FPCTA evolved again to reflect changes in Huntsville and the growing production company. FPCTA hired 14 full-time employees, including an education director and an arts director. The Mainstage Series was introduced. The Mainstage Series honored FPCTA’s legacy of stage magic from volunteers with the backing of an art director and full time staff. The Mainstage Series was not solely an after school event, local schools now could take field trips for FPCTA’s student matinee for all shows. FPCTA not only created future thespians, but also future audience members. The FPCTA Academy expanded its course offerings to include day-long camps.
In 2017, FPCTA ventured once again into local schools. Local professional actors teamed up with FPCTA for in school touring shows. Touring shows offered more diverse and complex stories like “Freedom Riders” and “Poarch Creek Bend Courage.” FPCTA toured in local schools until 2020. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, school tours became the Theater for Younger Audiences Series. Keeping in spirit with the touring shows, TYA focuses on short educational shows. In 2023, FPCTA partnered with Alabama A&M University creative education program to offer students and alumni hands-on experience in theatre. In 2024, FPCTA purchased Merrimack Hall, a building double the size of Long Ave. The new facility hosts FPCTA’s various courses, production shops, and a 300 seat theatre. FPCTA continues to reflect and serve the Huntsville Community and their unrelenting dedication to children’s arts education.
Merrimack Hall (1925)
Playbill for "Bell, Book and Candle" (1961)
Student Matinee of "Peter Pan" (1965)
"A Christmas Carol" Poster (1962)
"A Christmas Carol" Playbill (1962)
Helen Herriott with "Strange Case of Mother Goose" Cast (1963)
"Cinderella" Playbill (1965)
Poster for "Arthur and the Magic Sword" (1967)
"Alice in Wonderland" Poster (1967)
"Robin Hood" Poster (1968)
"Robin Hood" (1968)
Flying Monkeys from "The Wizard of Oz"(1966)
Behind the Scenes: Helen Herriott Helps Fantasy Kid with Makeup (1970s)
Season Ticket Ordering Sheet (1971)
Behind the Scenes: Helen Herriott Directing Students During "Peter Pan" Rehearsals (1970s)
Peter Pan (1971)
1977-1978 Season Poster
Von Braun Opening Day (1975)
"Jack and the Beanstalk" at the VBC (1975)
Sold out Sign for "Snow White" at the VBC (1979)
Tickets for for "Snow White" Production (1979)
Behind the scenes of "The Littlest Angel"(1972)
"The Littlest Angel" Advert (1972)
"The Littlest Angel" Advert (1972)
"The Littlest Angel" Tickets (1972)
Behind the scenes: Mailing tickets (1980s)
Behind the scenes: Mailing tickets (1980s)
FPCTA 20th Anniversary Cake
Helen Herriott (1980s)
Newspaper Advert for "Charlotte's Web" (1987)
Behind the Scenes: Fantasy Kids Playing Cards Backstage (1980s)
"A Christmas Carol" Playbill (1990)
A Christmas Carol (1990s)
Behind the Scenes: Actor in Makeup Chair for "A Christmas Carol" (1990s)
20th Anniversary Poster for "A Christmas Carol" (2009)
FPCTA at Panoply (1980s)
Long Ave (1990s)
Star Wall at Long Ave (1990s)
Costume Workshop at Long Ave (1990s)
Creation of the Queen of Hearts Dress for "Alice in Wonderland" (1990s)
Class Schedule for 1998-1999
The Huntsville Times Celebrates 50 Years of FPCTA (2010)
"A Wrinkle in Time" Poster Signed by Cast (2025)
"Sleeping Beauty and the Big Green Pea" Poster Signed by Cast (2025)