Children’s Playhouse of Maryland, Inc. (CPM) is a non-profit community theatre dedicated to youth performers ages 18 and under which  has been in existence since 2001 and was originally called The Young People's Players, part of the operation of  the F. Scott Black’s Towson Dinner Theater. The dinner theater eventually closed and Diane Smith, the artistic director, recognizing a good thing, wanted to keep the students together. The group's name was changed to Children’s Playhouse of Maryland and it became a non-profit organization, which then operated from the Conference Center on the grounds of Sheppard Pratt.  In 2004, CPM was offered and accepted a residency at the Community College of Baltimore County-Essex, where it resides today.

    We believe that working with children through the arts enables them to gain confidence, a sense of responsibility and accomplishment, an appreciation for the arts and become well-rounded individuals.

    Being a part of CPM gives students experience and training to move on and participate in other local and professional productions. They may not all become professional actors or become Broadway stars, but  they will have more confidence and self-esteem for  whatever career paths they choose.