Children and Theatre

[LizC]

At what age do you think kids should be introduced to live theatre? Do you remember seeing your first show? What opportunities are out there for kids to see live theatre in Indy? I know the Children's Museum has a theatre. I've been to it and thought it was wonderful. I'm guessing that will be Teagan's first "show." And I'm sure she will see summer productions at the Belfry when she is around 3 or 4. And hopefully catch the theatre bug and want to be in a show when she is 5 or 6!!

So- what are your plans or what have you done with your kids? And what do you remember about theatre in your own childhood?

[Creatch]

It depends on the kid. My girls love the theater and they both have since they were 3. They are 5 and 8 right now and will sit through and enjoy full length musicals. (They keep getting upset with Daddy for doing shows they can't see though.) Of course we started them out with childrens theater productions, mostly at Beef and Boards.

On the other hand some kids won't sit through it. I have a three year old nephew that can't sit through more than five minutes of anything.

[Joe]

Ariel started enjoying it at 3. We starting taking her to kids shows and she sat in awe the entire show.

Now she's 8 and she has seen quite a few productions... kids and adult and she sits through them all.

My son... now he's a different story. We have not yet taken him to a theater production. Two weeks ago we took him to Midevil Times in Chicago and that held his interest for... well... 10 minutes or so.

All kids are different... you just need to figure out where their interests lie.

[thewillowtree]

I started going to "shows" at Disney, EPCOT & Sea World when I was 2 or 3 (Well, EPCOT when I was 4 bc it didn't open until then) and actual community theatre shows when I was 5. My mom was a costumer, & I spent many evenings watching rehearsals for Pirates of Penzance, HMS Pinafore, and On Golden Pond (among others). I agree that the age is different for different kids. I'm not familiar with the Children's Museum show, but I used to work with a company in Florida that did 45-min shows geared towards children. If there's something like that in the Indy area, try that, and if she's good with that, work up to longer shows.

[Nubiangeek]

My son's first show was when he was 3. He went to see a show that was a combination of The Wiz and The Wizard of Oz. He was in love with Dorothy, so it held his interest. He sat through the entire show, which is hard to do when you are autistic and ADHD!

[scottganyo]

It depends on the kid. My girls love the theater and they both have since they were 3. They are 5 and 8 right now and will sit through and enjoy full length musicals. (They keep getting upset with Daddy for doing shows they can't see though.)

I agree. And this sounds just like my girls (5 & 7). Both the "being able to enjoy full musicals" and the "being upset at daddy for doing shows they can't see" parts match these two. In fact, my 7 year old sung a solo for her preschool graduation and performed in The Belfry's childrens' production last summer, but she's obviously an aberration. My 5 year old hasn't performed yet, but she's also a fan of musicals. Between the two of them, they've pretty much memorized every song I've ever sung in a musical and more.

[Orangeaholic]

This subject is an interesting one. I find that some of my drama friends have parents that barely know the theatre while others have parents who teach drama know everything about theatre etc. etc. I have always been a pretty strange kid . Always trying to be funny, different, and original. I had done little shows here and there but really got into theatre last year and found that I throughly enjoy it. My parents know nooooooothing, but I teach them as I learn things. So yeah, it's pretty much different for every kid but I think the sooner the better, but not against their will. I wish I would've gotten into it sooner than I did, but I would never force my kid into theatre if they didn't want to.

[LTP_LIVE]

I am on staff at Lee's Theatrical Productions in Anderson and I will swear to you that when we opened and it was stated that our main objective would be teaching young children to Act and understand the arts, I was a little reluctant. For the past year and a half I have watched hundreds of children walk through the doors, some as young as 4, and have the time of thier life AND learn some very important skills that they will take with them the rest of thier lives. These kids,all of them, have stolen the hearts of everyone who walks through the doors. I would encourage you to involve your children in Acting if they express an interest, just as you would dance, music, sports, or any other activity. And keep in mind, the Performing Art's are taking a hard cutback in the schools. Thank goodness for independant theatre's that allow children the opportunity to learn the craft.

[rebthebecca]

I guess it wasn't technically THEATRE, but I remember going to see the San Francisco Ballet's production of The Nutcracker when I was THREE.

I LOVED IT, and I remember a LOT Of it-- even the color of the costumes. (I wanted to dance in the Waltz of the Flowers-- they had the prettiest dresses) So, yes, being exposed to the Arts at a young age can be a lifechanging event for some children.

Unfortunately, I'm pretty dang clumsy, so I don't think I'm ever gonna end up as a ballerina.

[tycstover]

My parents know nooooooothing, but I teach them as I learn things. So yeah, it's pretty much different for every kid but I think the sooner the better, but not against their will. I wish I would've gotten into it sooner than I did, but I would never force my kid into theatre if they didn't want to.

Speaking of getting into it, Orange...
once you start the IRT classes this summer why don't you
start a thread on here and kinda blog to us how it is going
for you?