- Founded Children's Theatre Association: Dorothy founded the Children’s Theatre Association (CTA) in 1935, which helped launch a new era in theatre for and by children.
- Directed Community Theater: Dorothy and Robert directed children’s programs under the Community Theatre banner of the Federal Theatre Project.
- Pioneered Puppet Theatre: Dorothy worked to help develop puppet theatre, writing, producing, and directing over seventy-five puppet plays.
- Author: She became the primary writer for the CTA Bulletin and the CTA Journal, which is today’s Children’s Theatre, the field’s most renowned and scholarly publication.
- Teaching: Dorothy taught at the University of Washington and the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill.
- Artistic Director: She was artistic director of the North Carolina Children’s University Theatre, where she directed over one hundred children’s plays and musicals.