The Cat Theatre Launches Nine Lives Campaign in Carmel
Local families gain new youth mentorship opportunities as the theater kicks off a nine-year funding initiative.
Updated on Oct. 26, 2026 in Cats
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The Cat Theatre in Carmel is launching its Nine Lives Campaign to support local youth programming, featuring a $25,000 donor match. Managing Director Audrey Larkin discussed the theater's mentorship-focused programs for children and adults during a recent appearance on the No Title Needed podcast.
Why it matters
By pairing adults with children during productions, the theater aims to build confidence and social skills for local youth. These programs help break down social barriers while creating a collaborative environment for families in the community.
The theater is offering a $25,000 donor match as part of its Nine Lives Campaign. This campaign is set to span 9 years of fundraising and programmatic support.
The players
The Cat Theatre
A Carmel-based performance venue that runs youth mentorship programs and theatrical initiatives.
Audrey Larkin
The Managing Director of The Cat Theatre who oversees the organization's community and youth outreach efforts.
The details
The Cat Theatre operates through a mentorship model where adults work alongside children during theatrical productions to foster collaboration. The organization provides youth-specific workshops and mock auditions to build confidence. Future efforts include the 2027 launch of The Scratch Pad initiative, which will guide participants through writing, editing, directing, and managing props.
Timeline
October 2026: Managing Director Audrey Larkin appeared on the No Title Needed podcast.
2027: The Scratch Pad playwright initiative is scheduled to launch.
The Home Front
The Cat Theatre is expanding its educational reach through the upcoming launch of The Scratch Pad playwright initiative in 2027. This move grows the theater's existing footprint of mentorship-focused youth programs within the local community.
Families interested in youth mentorship can look into the current workshops and mock auditions offered at the theater. Keep an eye on local theater calendars for upcoming performance schedules and opportunities to participate in the Nine Lives Campaign.
The takeaway
The Cat Theatre is fostering youth confidence through long-term mentorship and upcoming creative writing initiatives. Families should check the theater's website for enrollment details on workshops and upcoming opportunities for their children to get involved.
What happens next
The Scratch Pad playwright initiative is scheduled to launch in 2027.
Further reading
Find more ways to support local animal and youth-focused initiatives on our Cats page.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Broadway World.
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