About Little Blue
Because play is serious work.
Little Blue Theatre Company was founded by three theatre educators with more than fifty years of combined experience in Theatre for Young Audiences. Rooted in justice, equity, and inclusion, Little Blue creates safe and holistic spaces for young people from birth through adolescence.
We produce inclusive, high-quality theatre for and with young people—honoring their full humanity and the richness of their diverse experiences, abilities, and emotions. Our work explores big feelings and brave ideas through art that is honest, imaginative, and deeply human.
Lift artists,
Lift young people,
Lift Little Blue.
You have a lot of choices.
What Makes Us Different
Meeting kids where they are now.
Instead of preparing children for “the next generation,” we honor their full humanity in this moment. Our work reflects real childhood experiences - joyful, complex, and worthy of serious artistic attention.
Inclusion is artistic practice, not policy.
Accessibility, inclusion, and trauma-informed practice are built into the very fabric of our company. DEI is literally in our bylaws! Our shows and spaces are designed for every body and mind to feel seen and welcome.
Telling stories that might be overlooked.
Larger institutions have to program for larger audiences. We choose culturally responsive stories that reflect the richness of the human experience, crafted with intention and care for our audiences.
We treat play as serious work.
Every piece we make is grounded in care, curiosity, and rigor. We treat children’s art with the utmost seriousness and respect. The stories young people live and imagine reveal the truest parts of humanity.
Our Commitment to the Community
Everyone should have access to excellent art.
Little Blue Theatre Company is built on the belief that every child deserves access to high-quality art that reflects and respects who they are.
We are committed to equity in every aspect of our work - centering voices historically excluded from the stage, and ensuring that our stories, artists, and audiences reflect the diversity of the world we share.
Without a fixed venue (yet!) or legacy bureaucracy, we can partner flexibly with schools, libraries, and community organizations to bring meaningful theatre directly into the spaces where kids already are. We collaborate with families, educators, and local partners to make our work more accessible, inclusive, and responsive to the lived experiences of young people today. We refuse to let cost or circumstance be a barrier - every child should experience art that welcomes them fully.
Our stories do not shy away from truth. We tell stories that challenge, illuminate, and express the difficult emotions and realities young people already know. We believe children deserve art that trusts their intelligence, honors their resilience, and helps them make sense of a complicated world.
Above all, we promise to use our art to build connection - to see, hear, and celebrate the full humanity of every young person and every family we meet.
Meet Our Team
Colin Peterson is an autistic self-advocate, facilitator, and theatre director who believes that everyone's voice matters - and, most importantly, that they should know it matters. Originally from Orlando, Florida, Colin earned his degree in Philosophy from the University of Central Florida before moving to Nashville in 2010 (just before the flood), where he spent 15 years at Nashville Children's Theatre (NCT), ultimately serving as Education Director.
At NCT, Colin helped transform the education program - doubling opportunities for students, opening the nation's first inclusive sensory room for theatre audiences, making all extended care free, and expanding financial assistance by 87%. He championed fair pay for teaching artists, began compensating interns, and facilitated programs to build a more diverse roster of educators to reflect the community served. His work has been recognized nationally, and in October 2025, he was honored by the Nashville Business Journal's Diversity Awards as an Outstanding Community Voice for his advocacy within the Autistic community. He is on the advisory council of the All Access Inclusion Network as well as serving Autism TN as the Connect Program Facilitator.
Beyond education, Colin is also a professional theatrical projection designer and award-winning sound designer, receiving the 2019 AudioVerse Award for Best Action Sound Design. He has designed for over 35 productions with numerous Nashville companies including: NCT, Nashville Shakespeare Festival, Nashville Rep, Studio Tenn, and Vanderbilt University. Colin lives in Madison, TN with his neurodivergent wife, two neurodivergent kiddos, and a young, energetic dog—making his household lively, loving, and decidedly challenging for the sensory-sensitive.
At NCT, Colin helped transform the education program - doubling opportunities for students, opening the nation's first inclusive sensory room for theatre audiences, making all extended care free, and expanding financial assistance by 87%. He championed fair pay for teaching artists, began compensating interns, and facilitated programs to build a more diverse roster of educators to reflect the community served. His work has been recognized nationally, and in October 2025, he was honored by the Nashville Business Journal's Diversity Awards as an Outstanding Community Voice for his advocacy within the Autistic community. He is on the advisory council of the All Access Inclusion Network as well as serving Autism TN as the Connect Program Facilitator.
Beyond education, Colin is also a professional theatrical projection designer and award-winning sound designer, receiving the 2019 AudioVerse Award for Best Action Sound Design. He has designed for over 35 productions with numerous Nashville companies including: NCT, Nashville Shakespeare Festival, Nashville Rep, Studio Tenn, and Vanderbilt University. Colin lives in Madison, TN with his neurodivergent wife, two neurodivergent kiddos, and a young, energetic dog—making his household lively, loving, and decidedly challenging for the sensory-sensitive.
Jacqueline Komos is a theatre educator, youth champion, and play advocate who believes every child deserves to feel seen, heard, and celebrated. Known to her students as “Agent Jax” and a cheerleader, she creates imaginative and brave spaces where children can explore, play, and discover their full potential. Jackie believes play is a radical act of joy and empowerment, and that the drama classroom and stage are cultivators of hope, empathy, and connection.
Originally from Ohio, Jackie began her career as a touring actress and has performed with a variety of professional theatre companies. Across her work in the nonprofit sector, she has consistently focused on serving and empowering young people—through the arts and community initiatives supporting youth and families. She currently serves as Community Achieves Manager, and continues as a Teaching Artist, at Napier Elementary, where she has helped direct their annual musical since 2018. Previously, Jackie served as Education & Engagement Manager at Nashville Children’s Theatre, helping bring the arts to children in innovative ways. She has also taught in early childhood programs and provides professional development for educators and teaching artists in arts integration. Her approach blends arts education with social-emotional learning to nurture confident, compassionate young people.
Jackie is deeply committed to expanding access, representation, and equity in the arts, ensuring every child, family, and community can participate fully and see themselves reflected in the stories they encounter. She works to remove barriers so the arts are accessible to all, regardless of zip code, income, language, or ability, grounded in a belief that community and creativity are inseparable—and that everyone deserves access to the transformative power of the arts. A proud foster momma, Jackie carries her belief in hope and possibility into both her professional work and her personal life. She believes the arts are a home for hope: a space where curiosity, creativity, and courage meet, and where every child can discover that possibility lives within them.
Originally from Ohio, Jackie began her career as a touring actress and has performed with a variety of professional theatre companies. Across her work in the nonprofit sector, she has consistently focused on serving and empowering young people—through the arts and community initiatives supporting youth and families. She currently serves as Community Achieves Manager, and continues as a Teaching Artist, at Napier Elementary, where she has helped direct their annual musical since 2018. Previously, Jackie served as Education & Engagement Manager at Nashville Children’s Theatre, helping bring the arts to children in innovative ways. She has also taught in early childhood programs and provides professional development for educators and teaching artists in arts integration. Her approach blends arts education with social-emotional learning to nurture confident, compassionate young people.
Jackie is deeply committed to expanding access, representation, and equity in the arts, ensuring every child, family, and community can participate fully and see themselves reflected in the stories they encounter. She works to remove barriers so the arts are accessible to all, regardless of zip code, income, language, or ability, grounded in a belief that community and creativity are inseparable—and that everyone deserves access to the transformative power of the arts. A proud foster momma, Jackie carries her belief in hope and possibility into both her professional work and her personal life. She believes the arts are a home for hope: a space where curiosity, creativity, and courage meet, and where every child can discover that possibility lives within them.
Alicia Lark Fuss is an Assistant Professor of Theatre at Middle Tennessee State University where she delights in teaching aspiring theatre educators and exploring the art of storytelling with students from all majors. Alicia gets fired up about all things at the intersection of theatre and youth, and is never happier than when “in-process” facilitating drama experiences with and for young people.
In her previous work, Alicia served as the Director of Arts Education for the Tennessee Arts Commission and worked for more than a decade as the Director of Education for Nashville Children’s Theatre (NCT). Some of her proudest accomplishments include launching NCT’s Sensory Friendly Performance series, increasing training and resources for inclusion, and creating a series of process-based creative drama classes that encourage youth of all ages to step into imagined worlds and play.
Alicia holds an MFA in Theatre for Young Audiences from the University of Central Florida and a BA in Theatre Arts from Florida State University. She is a proud member of the Theatre for Young Audiences/USA and the American Alliance for Theatre Education, and has served as Board Member for both organizations.
Alicia’s professional directing credits include Inside Out and Backwards, The Snowy Day and Other Stories by Ezra Jack Keats, and Afflicted: Daughters of Salem with NCT. Upcoming: It’s a Wonderful Life (Nashville Repertory Theatre). University directing credits include The Giver, Eurydice, Tomato Plant Girl (MTSU) and Lilly’s Purple Plastic Purse (Lipscomb University). Favorite youth theatre credits include The Yellow Boat, Songs for a New World, Legally Blonde, and Avenue Q: School Edition.
In her previous work, Alicia served as the Director of Arts Education for the Tennessee Arts Commission and worked for more than a decade as the Director of Education for Nashville Children’s Theatre (NCT). Some of her proudest accomplishments include launching NCT’s Sensory Friendly Performance series, increasing training and resources for inclusion, and creating a series of process-based creative drama classes that encourage youth of all ages to step into imagined worlds and play.
Alicia holds an MFA in Theatre for Young Audiences from the University of Central Florida and a BA in Theatre Arts from Florida State University. She is a proud member of the Theatre for Young Audiences/USA and the American Alliance for Theatre Education, and has served as Board Member for both organizations.
Alicia’s professional directing credits include Inside Out and Backwards, The Snowy Day and Other Stories by Ezra Jack Keats, and Afflicted: Daughters of Salem with NCT. Upcoming: It’s a Wonderful Life (Nashville Repertory Theatre). University directing credits include The Giver, Eurydice, Tomato Plant Girl (MTSU) and Lilly’s Purple Plastic Purse (Lipscomb University). Favorite youth theatre credits include The Yellow Boat, Songs for a New World, Legally Blonde, and Avenue Q: School Edition.
Because play is serious work.
Help us make Little Blue Fly!
Testimonials
What People are Saying About Little Blue Theatre
Your dedication to creating spaces where young people feel seen, valued, and inspired has always stood out to me. I’ve witnessed firsthand the impact of your approach: children not only learn and grow, but they experience the joy of belonging and the power of creativity.
I’m excited for this new chapter and can’t wait to see how Little Blue Theatre Company brings its vision to life. It’s a gift to our community and to every child who will experience theatre through your care and artistry.
Our son has grown as an actor and person through the many learning experiences, performance opportunities, and friendships developed in Mr. Colin's theatre programs. Mr. Colin's leadership fosters children's kindness, collaboration, and imagination -- both on and off the stage. We are so grateful for Mr. Colin's commitment to creating a theatre space in which all children can thrive.
Our son first met Ms. Jackie when he was 4 years old, and he quickly declared that his theater program with Ms. Jackie was "the happiest days of his life." He was always excited to start each class, and was always sure to be the last one to leave. Ms. Jackie has become a teacher, mentor, and inspiration in our son's life.
I cannot wait to see the work that Little Blue Theatre Company does to celebrate the lives of young people. I feel confident this theatre company will enrich the community, and bring truly beautiful stories to light.
Although Little Blue Theatre is new, the direction it is under is what has guided many students in Nashville to the arts. Colin, Jackie, and Alicia are real people that care. I am so excited to see this form and I cannot imagine the wealth of positive impact that it is going to make.
Want to help out?
Little Blue is built by community.
If you’re interested in supporting our programs, events, or productions, we’d love to hear from you.