Break out of the usual mold of going to the movie theatre and take your children to a play. Now I’m not talking about Broadway or taking your kids to an adult show. But there are a lot of community theatres and outdoor theatres that provide great entertainment.
I recently attended “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” at an outdoor theatre in Idaho with a group of twelve and thirteen year olds girls. There were younger children in the audience as well. The show was hilarious. The singing, dancing, and costumes, although not at a highly professional level were great. All of the girls that I attended with agreed that they loved the show and wanted to come back again.
As a child I went to a vaudeville type performance at another small theatre. The audience was asked to participate throughout the performance. Actors held up signs directing the audience to boo when the villain entered the stage and cheer for the hero. This type of performance is especially great for kids because participating helps them stay interested.
There is something magical about the stage that you just can’t experience in a movie theatre. There is a connection between the audience and the performers. I always leave a stage performance feeling like I was involved.
If you do decide to take your children to a play choose the play carefully. Something that is full of drama and intensity is probably not a good choice. Choose a play that is light-hearted and full of humor. Make sure that the humor is going to be slapstick enough that a child can understand it. Many of the things that adults find humorous go right over a child’s head.
Before attending the play remind your children that it is rude to talk during a play just like a movie unless the audience is directed to do so. Most plays have intermission so take care of potty breaks before, during intermission, and after so you aren’t disrupting the actors. As a parent be prepared to purchase a treat during intermission since oftentimes the actors and actresses walk through the audience selling items.
So this summer provide your child with a new experience and go to a play.