The Young Actors Guild had its beginnings in the late 1950s or early 1960s as a project of the Fort Smith Junior League.

The ladies wanted to introduce the children of Fort Smith to the theatre. All of the cast members were ladies; they even played the male roles. Fourth and fifth graders from the city schools attended the performances. After the League felt they had developed the project, it was turned over to the community.

The Fort Smith Community Children's Theatre produced about four productions each year.

Some plays were performed with adults only in the cast; others had both adults and children. The performances were held at many different locations; Brunswick Square Church, Westark Community College now UA Fort Smith, Ramsey Junior High, and the Fort Smith Little Theatre on North O Street were some of the sites. The organization was renamed the Children's Theatre and in 2001 became the Young Actors Guild.

While discussing the summer 2005 production, the Board of Directors learned that in earlier years there was a theatre elf, Chee, who made an appearance at each production and was part of the FSCCT's logo. Micki Voelkel recalled, "No one wanted to be Chee because of the costume." Chee, and a smaller version, Wee Chee, were the emcees or hosts of the summer production. It is a tradition we plan to continue. Another tradition is the Christmas play, The Best Christmas Pagent Ever; the first performance was in 1983.

Some things have changed, as all the roles in recent productions have been cast with children 18 years or younger.

One thing that has not changed is the Guild has no permanent home stage. But, as of 2004, we do have an office and rehearsal area. Although the name of the organization has changed, the mission is the same: to bring the theatre to the children of the Fort Smith area.