Introducing Kids to Theatre (Part 2)

If you're considering taking your child(ren) to see a play or musical for the first time, you might be wondering if they're ready. In Part 1 of Introducing Kids to Theatre, I provided some tips on how to ease kids into theatre so that they have a positive experience with it. Here are a few more tricks to try once you make it to the theatre to ensure your kids want to go back again!

Use intermission to your advantage. If you're taking your kids to see a longer musical or play, take the time at intermission to walk around, use the bathroom, and let them get some wiggles out. I've always been the kind of person who just stays in my seat during intermission, but when I take one (or both) of my boys to a show with me, I use every second of those 15 minutes to let them use up some energy! This is also a good time to answer any questions they have about the show.

Take a few snacks. What kid can't be bribed with a pack of goldfish? Plus, it's a great way to hold them over for those last few songs. Just make sure the wrappers aren't too loud, or you might get some threatening glares from the people sitting next to you.

Stick around to meet the cast after the show. Many performers (in theatres from high school to community to Broadway) will come out after the show is over to pose for photos, sign autographs, or just say hi. Alec now loves to look in programs to see who's playing the different roles. And he felt so special when he got to say hi to Grizabella after a local dinner theatre's production of Cats! Some kids can get frightened by this though, so use your judgment... If your child child starts crying at the mere suggestion of sitting on Santa's lap, taking him to meet performers in costume might not be the best idea. After all, the goal is to make this a pleasant experience for your children, not scar them for life!

Alec felt so special when he got to meet Grizabella!

I never really realized how much I did to ease my kids into enjoying theatre and prepare them for their first Broadway shows. But these tactics seemed to work for me, so maybe they'll work for someone else too!

As for my dad's love of skiing that I mentioned in the first part of this series, well I think I was a pretty good sport. And honestly I really did enjoy skiing for the first 16-17 years of my life. But just as I grew up and decided that skiing wasn't for me, my kids may grow up and decide that theatre isn't for them. And that's ok.

But for now I'll enjoy the expressions on their faces when they find out we're going to the theatre...

...and their joy when they experience live theatre...

...and hope that what I've learned from my experiences just might help other children develop a similar appreciation for theatre.