Fantasy Theatre Factory (FTF) was created in New York in 1977 by Ed Allen & Mimi Schultz. The company expanded, incorporated as a FL Not-for-Profit in 1982, and has toured the State of Florida and internationally since that time. 

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For the past 40+ years FTF has operated solely as a touring theatre company. In 2016 FTF was selected by Miami-Dade County's Department of Cultural Affairs to serve as the resident operator for the newly constructed Sandrell Rivers Theater in Miami's resurging Liberty City neighborhood. With this new facet of the organization, FTF now operates two main wings of programming: Touring outreach & presenting in-house programs. Touring outreach remains FTF's largest program, with exciting advances occurring with FTF's new in-house programming initiatives at the Sandrell Rivers Theater.

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FTF presents more than 400 FL programs, reaching over 150,000 people yearly. FTF's mission is to make more quality theater programs available to more people. FTF programs are an evolution of more than 40 years of performing & teaching in Florida.

 

Fantasy Theatre Factory received the Excellence in Direct Service to Children Award in 2013 from the Miami-Dade Children's Trust, among its many other honors.

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In 2013, Larry Fields became the 2nd Artistic Director of Fantasy Theatre in the company's over 39 year history. Mr. Fields has been with FTF for 10+ years. During that time he has served in nearly every department in the company.

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In 2016 FTF launched its new Arts & Culture for Community Engagement Special Series - ACCESS umbrella of programs, including ACCESS Special-Needs with programs targeted to students with disabilities including sensory processing & Autism; ACCESS Saturday Series with free programs targeted to local residents around the Sandrell River Theater in Liberty City; ACCESS LGBTQ with programs targeting Miami's growing LGBTQ population.

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Partnership Programs

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FTF has presented programs at The Miami-Dade County Youth Fair since 1990, including its famous Trash Monster interactive ecology exhibit. Since 1989, FTF has produced all Theatre entertainment for the 3-day, Miami Beach Art Deco Weekend Festival organized by the Miami Design Preservation League. FTF also provides programming for the “All Kids Included Festival,” produced by Miami-Dade Deptment of Cultural Affairs.

 

FTF's Artist-In-Education partnership programs feature shows & workshops for children & in-service training for teachers. FTF is part of the Miami-Dade County School Board's Cultural Passport Program. FTF partners yearly with the Miami Children's Museum, Zoo Miami, and the Broward & Hillsborough County School Boards.

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In 1993, FTF's Mission Statement was amended to include a stronger commitment to providing free programs for special needs children & families. FTF created Project Smile; setting aside funding for organizations that serve hospitalized children. FTF also provides 10% of all ticketed seats free to special needs children & organizations.

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International Touring

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 FTF has toured to: Tokyo, Japan, the Arctic Circle, France, Holland, Grand Bahamas Islands, Scotland & England.