With the fall arts season nearly upon us, it’s time to start thinking about what kinds of shows you want to see this year. And performing arts aren’t just for adults: From classic holiday tales to family-friendly musicals, the nationally renowned Children’s Theatre Co. (CTC) has built a reputation on bringing extraordinary stories to life on stage—embracing whimsy, inspiring creativity, and harnessing the power of the imagination.
CTC is opening its 2025-26 season with an adaptation of “Treasure Island,” running Sept. 9-Oct. 19 on the UnitedHealth Group Stage. Based on the classic novel by Robert Louis Stevenson, the production follows a young boy as he embarks on a swashbuckling coming-of-age adventure involving pirates, sword fights, and a search for buried treasure. To set the scene, audiences expect choreographed swordplay, immersive set design, and even sea shanties performed live on stage.
Announced recently, the show will mark the directorial debut of CTC’s new artistic director, Rick Dildine, who assumed the post after Peter C. Brosius’ departure last summer (read our previous Q&A with Dildine here).
Photo by Wesley Law
Dildine came to CTC with a vision to continue producing rigorous, boundary-pushing theater for young audiences, and feels as though this production of “Treasure Island” will do just that.
“As artistic director, I want CTC to be a place where young audiences are treated as thoughtful, adventurous theatergoers—where we give them work that’s as daring, layered, and imaginative as anything we’d offer adults. ‘Treasure Island’ fits that perfectly,” Dildine explains. “It challenges us to use every tool in our theatrical toolbox—music, movement, design, language—and to tell a story that respects the complexity of growing up. It’s also a production that invites the audience to participate in building the world with their own imaginations, which is at the heart of what I believe theater for young people should be.”
Dildine will work alongside Reed Sigmund, a veteran CTC actor who will step into the role of Long John Silver.
Photo by Kaitlin Randolph
“Working with Reed has been a joy. He’s a fearless performer—equally at home in big comedic moments and in the more dangerous, unpredictable edges of a character like Long John Silver,” says Dildine. “What I appreciate most is his generosity in the rehearsal room. He’s constantly exploring new choices, listening deeply to his scene partners, and helping to shape moments in ways that serve the entire production. His Silver is charming, cunning, and—at times—disarmingly human, which is exactly what this role needs.”
Joining the crew are a few renowned designers Dildine has brought on board—including co-scenic designers Christopher Swader and Justin Swader, costume designer Alexa Behm, lighting designer Jeff Behm, and sound designer Melanie Chen Cole, all of whom are making their CTC debuts, as well. In conjunction with the rest of the cast and crew members, they’ve set out to create an epic embodiment of what live theater can do and be.
“I wanted this ‘Treasure Island’ to feel like an adventure only live theater could deliver—physical, musical, surprising, and deeply human. That meant leaning into the power of the ensemble, using movement and sound to build entire worlds, and keeping the storytelling as unpredictable as the sea itself,” says Dildine. “My vision was to make something that’s both epic in scale and emotionally intimate—where a sword fight can thrill you one moment, and a quiet exchange between two characters can stop you in your tracks the next.”
Great for kids and adults alike, “Treasure Island” will explore themes of mentorship, teamwork, and courage—a shared adventure with the power to resonate across generations.
“For young audiences, I hope it’s a reminder that the real world is full of challenge, connection, and discovery—and that they have the courage to step into it. For adults, I hope it’s a nudge to be present for the young people in their lives, to mentor and encourage them, and to model the kind of bravery and empathy we want to see in the next generation,” says Dildine.
To purchase tickets and take a look at what’s in store for the rest of the 2025-26 season, head to CTC’s website.
