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Children's eyes open to theater
(by Bob Abelman - August 19, 2009)
THEATER, BY BOB ABELMAN
Children's eyes open to theater
There are few gifts as rewarding as introducing the next generation to the wonders of the performing arts. There are even fewer that are as affordable and accessible as the children's theater series offered by the folks at Playhouse Square.
It's been shown that exposure to the arts feeds children's creativity, imagination, innovation and empathy. It also makes them considerably more interesting people to be around. The cherished memory that it was you that opened their eyes to this remarkable world is an added bonus.
The four-show children's theater series subscription package is $40 per seat and begins in October.
Families that subscribe to the series receive a free activity guide for each show and can choose to participate in workshops held on the same days as performances. These fun, interactive workshops are led by professional teaching artists and feature opportunities to learn songs and dance steps, create performances and music and much more. Admission to each workshop is $5 per child.
"One of our goals is to help families and educators find ways to supplement the effect of budget cuts on in-school arts education," explained Colleen Porter, director of community engagement and education at Playhouse Square.
The shows for the upcoming season, which are catered to young children, are as follows:
"Stellaluna," performed by King Cole Theatricals on Oct. 24. Baby bat Stellaluna's life is flitting along right on schedule -- until an owl attacks her mother one night, knocking the bewildered batlet out of her loving grasp and into a nest of baby birds. Stellaluna's adoptive mom accepts her into her nest, but only on the condition that Stellaluna act like a bird, not a bat. Anyone who has ever been asked to be someone they're not will understand the conflicts -- and possibilities -- Stellaluna faces.
Stories by Eric Carle, performed by Mermaid Theater of Nova Scotia on Jan. 16. Eric Carle's tales spring to life on stage through imaginative language, memorable imagery and the colorful black-light puppetry of the Mermaid Theater. The Very Hungry Caterpillar munches his way through an amazing variety of food toward his eventual metamorphosis into a butterfly. High up in a beautiful blue sky, a Little Cloud changes into shapes of things he has seen. The Mixed-Up Chameleon learns the importance of being true to oneself during an adventurous trip to the zoo.
"Junie B. Jones," performed by Theatreworks USA on April 17. Based on the books by Barbara Park, Junie B. Jones is finally graduating from kindergarten and is ready for first grade. But getting used to a whole new group of friends, a new teacher and new glasses is challenging, even for irrepressible Junie B. Follow her adventures, set to music, as she writes everything down in her "top-secret personal beeswax" journal.
The Dream Jam Band performs on May 8. As featured on PBS "Sprout," the Dream Jam Band delivers a vibrant and diverse musical performance of original songs influenced by the Beatles, Mozart, Duke Ellington, Woody Guthrie and others. The Dream Jam Band won four 2008 Children's Music Web awards, and their debut album was named to the National Public Radio Top 10 list of the Year's Best Family and Children's Albums.
Since its inception in 1998, the community engagement and education department at Playhouse Square has offered thousands of events, workshops, classes and more, most with minimal or no fees, to people of all ages from all areas of Northeast Ohio. The generous support of individual and corporate donors and foundations makes it all possible.
Subscriptions to the children's theater series are now available by calling (216) 664-6044.
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