The Friends of the Palo Alto Children’s Theatre (FOPACT), in a long-term public-private partnership with the Palo Alto Children’s Theatre, exists to nurture the intellectual, artistic, and personal development of youth through multi-arts education, performing opportunities, and extraordinary theatre experiences. At the Children’s Theatre, the process and product are of equal importance in creating excellent theatre for young audiences. Through multi-arts education, the Children’s Theatre develops lifelong skills such as critical and creative thinking, cooperation, and aesthetic sensitivity. Performing arts education opportunities include onsite classes, camps and production experiences, as well as theatrical Outreach Productions (grades 3-5) and Dance In Schools classes (grades K-2) in all twelve Palo Alto Unified School District Elementary Schools. FOPACT raises funds to support equity and access efforts by the theatre including scholarships, spectrum-friendly classes and camps, ASL-interpreted performances, new play commissions in partnership with local community organizations, and social-justice oriented commissions and community conversations.