Tag Archives: Childrens theatre

October 16, 2016 · 8:22 pm

Where to Play on the Weekdays: October 17-21

Little ones can relate “Harold and the Purple Crayon” to artist Linn Meyers’ hand drawn wall art at the Hirshhorn Museum’s STORYTIME+ program

Monday – Take advantage of the surprise warm weather and go geocaching. It’s like a scavenger hunt, and a great way to enjoy the outdoors with a little adventure. Even better, you can pick and choose where and when you want to do it. This KFDC post has all the info you need to get started.

Tuesday – Enjoy STORYTIME+, the Hirshhorn Museum’s new program that invites the youngest artists (ages birth – preschool) and their caregivers to explore contemporary art through stories and movement. Museum staff will read a book aloud, introduce children to an artist in the collection, and lead an activity. “Harold and the Purple Crayon” is this session’s featured book, and little ones can explore and participate in Harold’s misadventures through hands-on fun and close-looking with an original wall drawing created for the Hirshhorn by artist Linn Meyers. Meet in the lobby at 10am. Admission is free.

Wednesday – Learn about the area’s wildlife, enjoy hands-on activities in the Nature Center, see the night sky, take a hike, and visit horses at Rock Creek Park. The Nature Center is open Wednesday – Sunday, 9am – 5pm, and admission is free. If you’re keen on seeing stars, there’s a planetarium show at 4pm. You can also visit the equine residents at the nearby Horse Center for free. (Unfortunately, pony rides are not offered on weekdays this time of year, but staff at the stables always welcome visitors.)

Thursday – Experiment with hands-on fun at the Children’s Science Center Lab at Fair Oaks Mall in Fairfax. Kids of all ages can explore a variety of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) concepts through fun, engaging interactive exhibits and activities. Hours are 10am – 6pm. Admission is $12 (under 2 are free).

Friday – Catch a performance of Hansel & Gretel, the latest Main Stage production at The Puppet Co. Showtime is at 11am. Tickets are $12. Plan to stay after to picnic (BYO and buy from the cafe) and romp on the Glen Echo Park playground.

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Filed under All ages, Art, Babies, DC, Educational, Exhibit, Fall, Free, Gradeschoolers, Indoor Play, Live Entertainment, Maryland, Museums, Nature, Ongoing, Outdoor, Park, Preschoolers, Theatre, Virginia, Weekdays

Tagged as Childrens theatre, DC Attractions, DC Kids Activities, DC outdoors, DC Parks, DC Weekday Activities with Kids, DC with kids, Fall 2016, Fun Things to do with Kids in the Washington DC Area, Fun with Kids in Maryland, Fun with Kids in Northern Virginia, Weekdays October 17-21

October 2, 2016 · 6:17 pm

Where to Play on the Weekdays: October 3-7

The apple doesn’t fall far from DC…

Monday – Take a hike and get a dose of history all at once at Roosevelt Island. The trails are easy for little legs to tramp, and you can explore the Memorial Plaza to learn about the legacy of President Theodore Roosevelt. The entrance to the park is located right off the GW Parkway, just past the Roosevelt Bridge, and accessible only from the northbound lanes. Hours are 6am – 10pm. Admission is free. Get a little more of the KFDC take on it in this post about local walks in the woods with kids.

Tuesday – Be among the first guests to join the National Museum of American History’s brand new weekly program for children. Museum ABCs is a fun, drop-in program for ages 3-6 and adult companions that introduces early learners to the museum collection through letter learning. In October, A is for Automobile: Read all about things that go, play with toy cars, and create a car craft. Sessions are 11am – 1pm and 2-4pm. Admission is free. If your child is too young or old for the series, go ~~play in Wegman’s Wonderplace or~~ explore the museum exhibits! (Update: Wegmans Wonderplace is closed on Tuesdays.)

Wednesday – Visit the animals, roam the peaceful grounds, and possibly join in a children’s program at Oxon Hill Farm. Hours are 8am – 4:30pm, and admission is free.

Thursday – Catch an interactive, bilingual show for children at Discovery Theater, located in the Ripley Center next to the Smithsonian Castle. Fábulas Fairy Tales is a fresh and fun introduction to Spanish through storytelling, math, music, and more. Showtime is 10:15am & 11:30am. Tickets are $3-8. (Note: This also takes place on Friday and October 12-13.)

Friday – Go apple picking! We recently visited (and loved) Waters Orchard in Germantown, and there are plenty of other area farms and orchards that welcome guests to gather their own fruit. This list of places to PYO has details on a bunch of them. And I always recommend calling ahead to be sure the pickings are good that day.

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Filed under All ages, Animals, DC, Eats, Educational, Exhibit, Fall, Farm, Free, Indoor Play, Live Entertainment, Maryland, Museums, Nature, Outdoor, Park, Seasonal, Theatre, Virginia, Weekdays

Tagged as Apple Picking, Childrens theatre, DC Children's Entertainment, DC Museums with Kids, DC Parks, DC Weekday Activities with Kids, DC with kids, Fall 2016, Fun Things to do with Kids in Washington DC, Fun with Kids in Maryland, Fun with Kids in Northern Virginia, Shows for Toddlers, Weekdays October 3-7

September 25, 2016 · 5:42 pm

Where to Play on the Weekdays: September 26-30

Get a great nature fix at Riverbend Park

Monday – Rise + Rhyme at Busboys and Poets in Takoma or Hyattsville, MD. The weekly series welcomes children 5 and under with their caregivers to enjoy a morning of performances and stories from 9:30-11am. Admission is $5. Plan on breakfast, too — full service will be available while the little ones are grooving. (FYI: The series also takes place in Shirlington, VA, the last Tuesday of every month.)

Tuesday – Hit the trail at Riverbend Park. The Great Falls locale may not be as popular as its national park neighbor, but it’s just as fantastic a place to enjoy some time in nature — especially with kids. Trails are mellow for little hikers, the views are gorgeous, there are plenty of nice picnic spots, and admission is free. Plus, if you want to see the magnificent falls up river, they’re an easy two-mile walk in the woods away. Riverbend Park hours are 7am to dusk.

Wednesday – Check out your local library. Drop in for story time, sing-a-longs, arts & crafts, and other activities, or just go to browse for books. See this post from the very early KFDC days for a little background and quick links to libraries around the area. Hours vary by location, admission is free.

Thursday – Catch a production of Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Tale at Adventure Theatre. The all-ages production adapted from the classic book begins at 10:30am, and tickets are $19.50. If weather permits, stay to play at Glen Echo Park after the show and have a picnic lunch — BYO or pick up a bite at the Praline Cafe there.

Friday – Enjoy a free screening of One World, One Sky: Big Bird’s Adventure at the Einstein Planetarium in the National Air & Space Museum. Showtime is 10:30am every Friday (and Sunday, plus the first Saturday of every month). It only lasts about 20 minutes, so explore the many impressive exhibits and discover How Things Fly, a room full of hands-on activities with major kid appeal, while you’re there.

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Filed under All ages, Animals, DC, Educational, Exhibit, Fall, Free, Indoor Play, Live Entertainment, Maryland, Movies, Museums, Nature, Outdoor, Park, Theatre, Virginia, Weekdays

Tagged as Childrens theatre, DC Children's Entertainment, DC Museums with Kids, DC Parks, DC Weekday Activities with Kids, DC with kids, Fall 2016, Fun Things to do with Kids in Washington DC, Fun with Kids in Maryland, Fun with Kids in Northern Virginia, Shows for Toddlers, Weekdays September 26-30

August 30, 2016 · 5:59 pm

Adventure Theatre MTC Academy: Where Kids are Encouraged to Act Up

Does your child love to perform? Are you looking for an active after school activity in a fun setting for your kids, or perhaps a new weekly series for your little one?

Adventure Theatre MTC Academy is getting ready to begin its fall semester, offering performing arts classes for children ages 3-18 that are fun and enriching, and benefit kids on stage and off. Watch below for an informative introduction to ATMTC programs:

Chances are you’ve seen a show or two (or ten) at the Glen Echo venue that is hugely popular among DC area families. Their plays and musicals, often interpretations of classic children’s stories, are always top-notch, featuring amazing talent, delightful sets, and some of the best theater experiences for young audiences around.

Those high standards are maintained in their class and camp offerings for children — and I know this first hand: Both of my kids have participated in Adventure Theatre MTC summer camps, Owen took part for three years, and Sasha made her stage debut this past July. Not only did they have an absolute blast, I loved seeing just how much they got out of the program. Over a two-week session the kids learn an incredible amount about acting and the inner workings of the theatre, which they showcase in a real production that parents and friends are invited to watch. It was obvious they received quality instruction in a fun, encouraging environment.

A brilliant performance by Adventure Theatre summer campers

The Academy provides young people with creative drama and musical theater training, including classes, student productions, ensembles, camps, and workshops based on National & State Fine Arts Standards of Learning. Some of the fun and popular classes on the schedule this fall include:

Lightsaber Adventures – Focusing on stage combat instruction, young Padawans will learn the ways of the force through both simple tasks and challenging missions. This class will teach lessons in safety, focus, spatial awareness, teamwork and self-discipline all within a safe framework of basic stage combat movement.

Acting Up! – One of the most important classes a young performer can take! Students will journey with ATMTC through the process of acting as a professional teaching artist guides them using creative drama techniques through the basics of acting, improvisation, and character development, culminating in an informal presentation of the characters and stories the class created during the semester.

Broadway Baby – This magical introduction to the world of song, dance, and make-believe for little ones will explore music and movement through guided activities in a playful and structured environment designed for the imagination and rooted in musical theater. Props, costume accessories, and themes enhance exploration and movement. Students will work on classroom skills such as following directions, listening, and working with others.

Mini-Play: Mary Poppins – One part exploratory drama, one part improv, all around fun! This class culminates in an informal showcase of work. Participants will explore the classic story of Mary Poppins, its characters, plotline, and sequence, and work together each week to create their own improvised version of the play.

Singing for the Stage – Courses help students establish the basic techniques of vocal production, pitch controls, tone production, and breathing through various exercises and demonstrations in a choral/group setting.

The above are just a sample of the many, many classes being offered, so be sure to check out the full selection. And they take place at two locations: Glen Echo Park and Wintergreen Plaza in Rockville. Days, times, and rates vary by class — details are available on the Adventure Theatre website.

Disclosure: This post is sponsored by Adventure Theatre MTC, however, I only promote programs, places, and events that I genuinely believe in and think will appeal to KFDC readers.

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Filed under All ages, Class, Educational, Fall, Live Entertainment, Maryland, Music, Professional Service, Seasonal, Sponsored Post, Weekdays

Tagged as Adventure Theatre MTC, After School Activities, Childrens theatre, DC Area Acting Classes for Kids, Kids Activities, Maryland Classes for Toddler and Preschoolers, Maryland Performing Arts Classes for Kids

August 25, 2016 · 10:33 am

Autumn is for Families at Washington Revels

[Note: This is a sponsored guest post written by Jo Rasi of Washington Revels]

A group of four- and five-year olds are marching down the hallway, waving ribbon sticks and singing an old traditional tune about apples. A dragon is resting on a nearby table while a volunteer sews one of its ears. Six teens are heading upstairs to rehearse with bells tied around their ankles, adding whimsy and celebration to the already joyful scene. And in the parking lot, a group of volunteers are leafing through a songbook choosing songs to share at the evening’s Community Sing.

This is just an ordinary autumn day at Washington Revels, a 35-year old cultural institution dedicated to celebrating cultural traditions through music, dance, storytelling, drama and more.

There’s something for everyone — after-school workshops for PreK-8th grade, opportunities for children and teens to perform on stage, and family activities ranging from Community Sings, Pub Sings, concerts and parades, plus workshops (in music, dance and traditional crafts) – over 120 events each year. It’s a place where intergenerational interactions are a part of daily activities, a place where a family is invited to share in the joys of singing and community, and a place where traditions are honored, shared and created.

And it’s the place where ages-old winter holiday traditions are recreated and reshaped every winter, and then performed at Lisner Auditorium in DC to over 10,000 people over two weekends in December. The Christmas Revels is the organization’s biggest annual event, and one that draws all ages and cultures from well beyond the DC area, and then encourages them to dance in the aisles (literally!) during the show. It’s easy to see why families make this event part of their annual holiday celebration.

All three floors of the Revels’ Silver Spring building are ready for family activities. There’s a bright studio space for workshops and rehearsals, there are shelves and nooks filled with costumes, props, books and CDs, and tucked around the edges you’ll find colorful banners, a couple of dragons, a hobby horse, some jester hats and a Maypole. It’s a place where holidays and special days are celebrated and handed down to future generations, and a place always ready to create the shared joy of community.

Kids and families refer to themselves as “Revelers” and might be heard saying “I’m reveling.” It’s what Washington Revels offers — a chance to revel in music, dance, drama, cultures, traditions and community. The Washington Post calls the DC-area Revelers “…one hundred of Washington’s most literate merrymakers, from kindergartners to senior citizens…” and notes that Washington Revels can create “…a celebration to make even the most incorrigible Grinch grin.”

Join in a Revels program to share in some singing, dancing, celebrating and grinning, and experience the spirit of Reveling! Try the September family-friendly free Community Sing, or enroll your children to be Little Dragons, Hobby Horses or Jesters after school, or consider having your 3rd-5th grader at the Children & Teen Christmas Revels Auditions.

Learn more about it all on the Washington Revels website!