Community Theater - Great Way to Encourage the Kids to Appreciate the Arts

Live Theater - Great Family-Friendly Travel Idea

There is a lot of talk on the town about supporting local businesses, and travelers often look for Mom-n-Pop restaurants and perhaps small, family-owned merchants when shopping for various items on vacation. You might also consider watching a local community theatrical production.

Many towns have a local theater with family-friendly shows. Some towns offer performances throughout the year, so even if you are traveling during months in which many local attractions shut down for the season, you might find a great show on stage. Live theatrical productions can be a great way for children to get a glimpse of the arts. Actors oftentimes memorize many lines and stage cues while depending on others to handle lighting, sound, and stage props.

See Live Performances in Community Theaters

The playbill may include background information on the people involved in the production and perhaps a brief history of the production. You might encourage the kids to watch to see how the crew works together to change scenery and props. Some theaters may enable the audience to interact with the actors and crew members after the show.

Kids interested in computers and electronics might also be interested in watching live performances. The lighting, sound, and props involve spot-on timing and coordination between crew members. Some special effects are quite elaborate. Children who are interested in apparel and fabric design might be interested to see the costumes and how they may be modified to create visual illusions.

Some towns have children's theaters in which children and teens are on stage and participate in various other aspects of the production. In addition, some theaters may include both adult and child actors in productions. Children who are interested in acting or theatrical arts might be interested in watching these productions while vacationing with the family.

Encourage Kids to Learn About the Arts While on Vacation

One might think that local theater is about one step above a slide projector and a bed sheet. Actually, many local theaters offer excellent entertainment of top-notch quality. If you are planning a vacation, check with the local chamber of commerce to see where the nearest community theater is located. Some towns also offer outdoor dramas that run every year during warmer months.

It is wise to reserve seats in advance - you can often order tickets from the box office over the phone or online and either have tickets mailed to you or have tickets placed at the will call window when you arrive for the performance. Some theaters may have sell-out performances for almost every show. Be mindful of your children's preferences, attention span, and what types of shows might interest him or her.

Support Local Community Theaters

Have you ever visited a live theatrical production with your kids? Feel free to share your family's experience going to see a live performance in the comment section below.

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Thanks so much for visiting my Love 2 Travel With Kids blog - I hope you find my articles to be timely and informative!