The world of children’s theater is dominated by one thing: the musical. Viewers would be hard-pressed to find a children’s play without groups of magical cats or any other fuzzy creature.

ASU senior Yichao Wang is hoping to change this with his new theater company, CloPet Theatr, and its upcoming play “Between,” debuting Feb. 5 at Valley Youth Theatre.

CloPet, which is short for collaborative project theater, was born out of necessity, Wang said.

“I suddenly remembered, ‘Oh! I’m a senior. I better put a thesis together,’” Wang said. “But really, we are hoping that it lasts longer than the thesis project.”

Wang, who is also the “Between” playwright, grew up working with theater companies like Valley Youth Theatre.

“I’ve really loved the work that a lot of them are doing, but I just feel that there is a certain aspect of theater that we don’t get a chance to work on,” he said. “That is non-musical theater.”

Laura Strelka, stage manager for CloPet and ASU theater student, agreed.

“What’s good about CloPet is that they are producing straight plays,” she said. “Not the typical campy musicals for kids.”

“Between” is about a young foster child named Taylor as he struggles with adolescence.

“It’s really about kids exploring the space between being an adult and a kid,” said Wang.

“Between” isn’t only a play for children — it’s a play with many main characters played by young actors.

“Our mission is to emphasize the collaborative nature of theater and give kids the chance to explore that collaboration in aspects other than acting,” said Wang.

This opens the door for kids to do anything from sound design to directing.

This isn’t lost on those involved with CloPet. Theater major Will Hightower, who plays Taylor’s foster father, Jim, is among them.

“Not only having a show for children that deals with this issue, but also casting children in the children’s roles rather than casting young adults … I’ve never acted in a show with kids,” Hightower said.

He has a unique situation because the play’s star, 14-year-old Gavin Singer, was once an acting student of his.

“It’s great to see how he has grown,” Hightower said.

Wang needs help from others if CloPet is to grow.

“We’re hoping to get a call for submissions from young playwrights so we can have a season of primarily new works.”

Not only playwrights but anyone with theater experience or those just curious about CloPet are welcome.

Those interested should contact CloPet via getinvolved@clopet-theatr.com.

Hightower hopes families will be touched by “Between.”

“They could get involved with the foster thing or maybe just become more charitable. Then we’ve changed someone’s life through our performance. That application of art is vital to us as artists,” he said. “I’m really exited, and I want to see that impact that this has.”

Reach the reporter at affoote@asu.edu