Adele Thane, founder and longtime artistic director of the Boston Children's Theatre, died Jan. 25 at a nursing home in Wakefield, MA, according to a report in the Boston Globe. She was 94.

Since its founding in 1951, the Boston Children's Theatre has made a practice of using young people -- ages 8 to 17 -- exclusively in its productions.

Thane was artistic director of the company from 1951-1983. She directed more than 40 shows -- ranging from Goldilocks to Heidi -- many of which she wrote or adapted herself.

Much as another Boston native, Leonard Bernstein, introduced children to classical music, Thane introduced myriad children to the theatre. One of her protogees was Julie Taymor, director of Broadway's The Lion King, who played the lead in Cinderella 35 years ago.

Thane was born in Worcester, MA. Early in her career she performed at the Provincetown Playhouse and with the New England Repertory Company. She directed productions for children at various theatres in the Boston area and adapted half-hour productions of Gilbert and Sullivan operettas for a local Boston television station.

She was also the author of a book, Plays from Famous Stories and Fairy Tales. Thane leaves no immediate survivors.

-- By Rebecca Paller