There is a unique experience of watching a play inside a theater. It is an exciting, vibrant place where the audience is told a live story. Everything happens in real time as no edited recording is presented. There are theatrical productions I saw many years ago that I still excitedly talk about to this day. For thousands of years, communities have attended plays. In Ancient Greece, it was common to enter an arena and watch plays with your family and friends all day long. Hundreds of years later, during the Renaissance, the powerful Medici family hosted regular performances in the town square. Today, this is the equivalent of families watching a show on a streaming service at home. Going to see a play by William Shakespeare during the Elizabethan era was a lively, immersive experience where the audience factored in heavily with the production. In modern society, audiences attend productions quietly and thoughtfully as they take in the craft presented to them. Attending a play today is a fun evening out with loved ones and connects us to our rich history of storytelling. Theatrical performances have always been an important way for people to bond with one another while actors tell a story.
Another element regarding the theater is the acting itself. Many skills are learned when acquiring talents such as memorization, collaboration, and overcoming shyness. Those who dread public speaking will quickly overcome this hurdle by acting in front of an audience. Many years ago, I participated in my high school’s fall season play, and it was an experience that really helped me get out of my social shell. The stage fright I had before essentially vanished once rehearsals began. And plus, I walked away from the experience with a whole new group of friends. Acting is a way to get out of your own element and put yourself in your character’s shoes. It’s not about becoming a Hollywood star, but more about having fun and learning how to bring out your social side. It is for these reasons that both attending theatrical performances and maybe even learning the trade of an actor that Northwest Children’s Theater is such an extraordinary place.
There are several current and upcoming plays at the Northwest Children’s Theater that are worth checking out as a family. Happening until April 13th is their live production of Pete the Cat: A Live Rock Musical. This musical is based on the beloved children’s book series and is a fun, rock-based musical fit for the entire family. The production itself is only an hour long with no intermission, so it is great for those with younger children. Tickets can be purchased online. Tickets are $35 for adults, $25 for youths, and are free for babies under 1 year old. From May 3rd to May 18th, they will be hosting the Mad Hatter’s Tea Party. This interactive performance involves storytelling, songs, and a magic show. So go down the rabbit hole and join the Mad Hatter for a wild tea party ride. Tickets for this performance include tea and some yummy snacks (they will also have free coffee available for us adults).
If your child is interested in acting, you should also check out the wonderful classes they have available. From May 3rd to June 4th, they will be offering their Spring Classes for ages 4 to 14. Registration is also open for their Summer Classes package, which runs from June 16th to August 22nd. The children are brought into their age groups for these classes, and previous acting experience is far from required here, too. These classes aim to have fun and learn new skills, not to create stress. These classes cover the basics of acting on stage, such as singing, dancing, and of course, acting. The camaraderie and friendship that stem from these classes are just as, if not more, important than the skills they will learn too.
The Northwest Children’s Theatre is a wonderful institution that brings the arts to the community and encourages lively participation. If your kid is more on the shy side socially, taking classes here can help bring them out of their shell a little. Also, if your child is a major extrovert, then classes here can serve as a perfect outlet for them. The skills picked up from acting lessons help with many valuable tools in this world, such as developing proper speech and thinking outside the box. Furthermore, attending one of the Northwest Children’s Theater’s many performances as a family is an excellent way to bond and build memories. Some form of theatergoing has been an element of every human society throughout history. So, check out a theatrical performance with your family. It will connect you to history and is a guaranteed topic to talk about for many years.
Alex is a devoted husband and father born and raised in Portland, Oregon. He is a professional artist, author, and advisor for both Yale and Harvard University’s arts departments. His book, ‘Selling Leonardo: The Art World’s Greatest Scandal’ is available wherever books are sold.