CET debuted its first season in 1975. When Phyllis Quanbeck, the program’s original executive director and a former drama teacher at South Salem High School, was approached by advisor Pat McReal of McKinley Community School to put on some summer plays in Salem back in the ’70s, she was adamant that the only way she would be involved was if there was an educational component that taught kids the behind-the-scenes aspects and offered quality training in a well-rounded theatre arts experience. With a handful of staff members, a dedicated team of board members to carefully lay the groundwork, as well as the curriculum template from Children’s Theatre Company in Minneapolis, Q, as she is affectionately known, breathed life into a beloved program that has nurtured thousands in our community. “This program is not about turning someone into an actor,” says Q. “It’s about helping kids to find their own talent and about cultivating creative, innovative team players.”

During its first season, CET enrolled 92 students, and Quanbeck was joined by staff members Tom Hewitt, Jean Badenoch Edwards and Leslie Dinsdale (formerly Leslie Green Casebeer). Pat McReal was the original chairman of the Advisory Council which also consisted of Dave King, Mrs. T.W. Hansen, Mrs. Lester Green, Mrs. James Gray, Mrs. Sue Stanford, Mrs. Isabel Rosebough and Mrs. Jack Thornton with consultants Bart Simmons and Wally Turnidge.

“I’ll never forget that first season,” recalls Hewitt, who was a Portland State college student when he started. “We offered just eight classes in acting, improvisation, body movement, mime, vocal music and dance. Everyone had so much fun, and we were thrilled to be building this program in Salem.” The 1975 shows included Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, The Magic Box and Cinderella. The original format of having a musical, a traveling show, and a production at the Salem Art Fair and Festival endures today.

CET continued to grow, as the number of classes and students increased over the years. Instruction in technical arts and stagecraft was added in 1978.

Some of the most famous students in CET’s history include Jon Heder of Napolean Dynamite fame, Megan Mylan, Oscar-winning director/producer of the documentary Smile Pinki and Mark Kelly who starred in the Duplass Brothers film The Do-Deca-Pentathlon and has had a recurring role on Mad Men.

Children’s Educational Theatre has grown by leaps and bounds since its humble beginnings in 1975, but we still utilize the same model, passion and commitment that our founders delivered 45 years ago. Today enrollment hovers at around 220, and more than 30 classes are now offered in the performing arts plus technical classes such as lighting, prop design and stage management. It is our desire to share the enthusiasm and influence of a theatre arts background with as many children as we can, regardless of race, gender and socioeconomic circumstances. “My philosophy has always been: theater is a journey that should center on the process of getting to an end product, no matter what the final result. Everyone should feel a sense of accomplishment and have fun along the way,” says Robert Salberg, who has been executive director of CET since 2003.

Originally a Salem-Keizer Schools program, CET became an independent, nonprofit organization in 2005. An 11- to 16-member board of directors oversees the program, focusing primarily on policy decisions, budget and long-range planning.

With more than 40 years under our belt – and about 7,500 students, 1000 classes and 240 productions – CET continues to engage and excite Salem audiences, CET parents who volunteer, and – most importantly – the students who learn and thrive in this fun, educational environment.