About Philadelphia Children's Theater

Founder, Artistic Director

Rebecca May Flowers (she/her) is the Founding Artistic Director of Philadelphia Children’s Theater, which will present an inaugural season in 2026/27. She currently serves as the Outgoing Artistic Director at Azuka Theatre in Philadelphia where she has served as Artistic Director since 2021. At Azuka, she recently founded the new play festival, AzukaFest, which featured 12 new plays, collaborating with more than 80 Philadelphia-area artists. Prior to her time at Azuka, Rebecca served as Associate Artistic Director at Theatre Horizon.

In addition to arts administration, Rebecca is a director and choreographer. She has directed over 40 productions at schools, universities, and regional theaters in PA, DE, and FL. Recent directing credits include: Galilee by Christine Evans (Azuka Theatre), Bright Star and White Christmas (Candlelight Theatre), The Wolves by Sarah DeLappe and Fefu and Her Friends by Maria Irene Fornes (Temple University), and Matilda the Musical (Steel River Playhouse). Rebecca is currently developing a new play for families, Baby Whale and the Plastic Ocean, which was first developed virtually during the Philadelphia Fringe Festival in 2020 and continued development with a workshop and public reading in 2024.

A Florida native, Rebecca spent many years working in Entertainment at Walt Disney World. She earned her B.A. in Theater from Florida State University and her M.A. in Theater from the University of Central Florida. 

Rebecca is, first and last, the mother of 3 wonderful children, who she raises with her loving and supportive husband. This is for them.

Founder, Advisory Committee Member

Ivy Smith (she/her) is a long-time supporter of the arts, having spent many years working in television in the Philadelphia region and serving as a board member for multiple arts and culture organizations in and around Wilmington, Delaware.

Though she currently resides in New Orleans, she has been collaborating on work with Philadelphia Children's Theater since the beginning, and looks forward to being a presence with PACT for many years to come.

Ivy, who has always been dedicated to the arts, deepened her love and respect for theater, music, and dance by raising her children, now adults, into life as artists. Once her children were grown, she found a new calling to theatrical producing and management through her unique artistic partnership with Rebecca May Flowers, which began in 2015.

Ivy has a longstanding commitment to developing artistic talent, especially in young people, and using creative opportunities as a pathway to building community. She will continue this work with PACT, with special focus on children and families who are underserved. Ivy looks forward to creating new work with Philadelphia Children's Theater, and sharing it with as many artists and audience members as possible.

Cheers!