The Young Festival Stage: A Place Where Wonder Takes the Stage

Let’s talk about imagination — the kind that lights up a child’s face, the kind that turns a theatre seat into a flying ship or a lion’s den or a flying peach. Since 2021, Young Festival Stage has been doing something both radical and refreshingly simple: bringing world-class theatre to young audiences right here in Central Texas. We take stories seriously — because when a child sees themselves in a story, they start to see themselves differently in the world.

We’re not just putting on shows. We’re building bridges — to communities that haven’t always felt invited, to students experiencing theatre for the very first time, and to families who need a little magic that doesn’t come with a premium price tag. With ASL-interpreted performances, sensory-friendly shows, and educational matinees, we’ve made it our mission to ensure the theatre belongs to everyone. Our partnerships — with Baylor, MCC, Waco Civic Theatre, and Waco Cultural Arts — allow us to reach everyone in our community.

And then there are the puppets. Oh yes, the puppets — delightful, curious, larger-than-life companions that remind us this isn’t just theatre, it’s an experience. But none of it — not the joy, not the laughter, not the wide-eyed gasps in the dark — happens without people like you. Donors make it possible. You’re not just supporting the arts. You’re planting seeds in the minds of future artists, future audiences, and future storytellers. That’s the kind of legacy worth building.