Since 1990, the curtain’s up on character.
Our mission.
To promote positive
citizenship through
involvement in the arts.
Our vision.
To generate in young people a sense of positive self image.
To create an appreciation of multi-cultural arts.
To help the current generation become a creative asset to their community.
To launch youth into the world of work.
To build moral character.
Our character values.
Confidence
Cooperation
Determination
Respect
Servant Leadership
Wisdom
280+
WEEKS OF THEATER
KATA is celebrating over 35 seasons of Summer Theater!
35+
YEARS SERVING KANSAS CITY, KS
Arts education for our K-12 students has drastically declined. KATA is proud of its 30+ year legacy in KCK’s diverse community. We remain the only independent comprehensive performing arts youth program in Wyandotte and Leavenworth Counties. We have been a mainstay, now serving the grandchildren of those from our first year of Summer Theater!
21,000+
THOUSAND IMPACTED
In our 35+ year history, thousands of children have been impacted. We are cultivating young artists, citizens, and leaders and launching them into their future.
I am so proud that I’m BURSTING! You’re giving the positive voice for your peers, and for the young people coming up.
—Mama Jones to the 2020 Youth Summer Staff
Our story.
I grew up on the streets of the south Bronx, NYC in the early ‘50’s. Gang violence at this time was so prominent that juvenile delinquent I.D. cards were issued in different colors. So, my mom put this aggressive youngster (yep, that’s me) in a youth theatre company that would take me OFF of the streets and IN to an off-Broadway show!
In 1990, I started KATA because I was raising children with developmental disabilities while I was teaching full time at Turner High School. I wanted a positive summer outlet for them, so I created one. We began with 13 diverse students, and have been growing ever since.
I am committed to using the arts and the youth in my community as change agents to ensure safety, security, and positive personal growth.
I believe students learn best from a teacher that models learning and values the spirit of the learner.
Judi “Mama” Jones, KATA’s founder and executive director, has a B.A. in English from City College of N.Y. and a B.A. in Theatre Education from University of Missouri K.C.
Mama Jones has many years of experience in community action, directing, teaching, administration, and theatre education.
Check out her March 2024 Fox 4 interview with Great Day KC here!
We teach.
We inspire.
We connect.
KATA is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) grassroots arts education program with 30+ successful years of building character, equipping youth, and launching leaders to be creative assets in Wyandotte County of Kansas City, Kansas and beyond.