Tag Archives: DC Children’s Theater

August 30, 2023 · 12:00 pm

Sing, Dance, and Act this Fall at Adventure Theatre MTC Academy
(+ Two Chances to Save!)

Watch your child’s face light up as they take the spotlight with classes from Adventure Theatre MTC (ATMTC) Academy. From Kindergarten to adults, students will learn the basics of acting, singing, and dancing in these 12-week classes while they create characters, construct stories, and build 21st Century Skills.

Students will especially learn that their voice and their role matters, no matter how small. There is no experience needed, and kids have loved their hallmark classes — Sing Dance Act (Grades K-1), Broadway Prep (Grades 2-3), and Bridge to Broadway (Grades 4-5) — for almost 10 years.

Just for KidFriendlyDC subscribers, save $35 or more on Fall Classes (10%) with the promo code KFDCF23. Need more assistance? Scholarships are available and ask them about sibling discounts too at 301-251-5766.

Savings Alert: Tickets to You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown at Adventure Theatre MTC

Join old friends as Adventure Theater gathers the entire Peanuts gang for a nostalgic and heartwarming musical based on the comic strip by Charles Schulz. With charm, wit, and heart, You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown explores life’s big questions through the eyes of Charlie Brown as his friends play baseball, fly kites, struggle with homework, swoon over crushes, and celebrate the joys of friendship. Growing up is serious business!

This show is recommended for all ages. Single tickets are on sale for You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown at Adventure Theatre MTC (with children under the age of 1 free), but for season-long savings, consider a Flexpass instead and save $7.50 per ticket!

About Adventure Theatre ATMTC
ATMTC cultivates new generations of artists and audiences by creating memorable theatrical productions and by providing young people the highest quality musical theater training. Learn more here.

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This post is sponsored by Adventure Theatre MTC, however, I only promote activities, events, and services that I sincerely enjoy and think would appeal to KFDC readers.

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Filed under 2023, Class, Extracurricular, Maryland, Theatre

Tagged as Adventure Theatre Classes, DC Acting Classes for Kids, DC After School Activities, DC Children's Theater, DC Children's Theater Classes, DC Live Entertainment for Kids, Fall 2023, Maryland Acting Classes for Kids, Maryland After School Activities, Maryland Children's Theatre Classes

June 12, 2023 · 9:37 am

Smithsonian’s Discovery Theater in the Summer Spotlight

Kids can discover the magic, fun, and power of music-making at Discovery Theater’s Behind the Music with Jastin Artis show (Hawa-Maya Photography)

Summer shows for kids return to the stage at Smithsonian Associates’ Discovery Theater in June and July! This inspiring and interactive daytime series at the S. Dillon Ripley Center on the National Mall offers plenty of lively fun — and learning opportunities — for a wide range of ages.

The summer lineup kicks off June 28 with Rainbow Rock Band’s infectious music that will get young listeners on their feet as they learn about shapes, colors, movement, and more (June 28–30). Next, the multitalented performer Jastin Artis fuses hip-hop, spoken word, gospel, and other musical styles to explore the anatomy of a song in Behind the Music (July 5–7). Then, powerhouse SOLE Defined brings global music fused with tap and stepping in The REMIX, an action-packed, rhythmic rollercoaster that explores the elements of percussive dance (July 11–14).

SOLE Defined presents The REMIX at Discovery Theater, an interactive performance that fuses global music with tap dance and stepping

And it wouldn’t be summer without the Science Guys of Baltimore! They’re bringing a delightfully interactive new show, An Electromagnetic Adventure, that promises to deliver a truly shocking science experience (July 18–21). Last, the phenomenal young women of Taratibu Youth Association will close out the summer season with stories of empowerment and cultural history though the performing arts of the African diaspora (July 25–28).

Performances are held at 10:30am and 12pm, and advanced ticket purchases are strongly recommended as shows often sell out. Groups of 10 children or more can purchase discounted tickets by calling 202-633-8700 (M-F, 9am – 4pm). Families and small groups can purchase individual tickets online.

This post is sponsored by Smithsonian Associates, however, I only promote programs, events, and places that I genuinely believe in and think will appeal to KFDC readers.

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Filed under 2023, DC, Live Entertainment, Summer

Tagged as DC Children's Theater, DC Family Activities, DC Live Entertainment for Kids, DC Summer Activitites, Fun Things to do with Kids in the Washington DC Area, July 2023, June 2023, Kid Friendly Live Shows, Smithsonian Discovery Theater, Summer 2023

November 23, 2022 · 7:04 pm

Review: The Day You Begin at the Kennedy Center

[Note: This review was written by KFDC Contributor Emily Moise, a local writer and mom of two young children. She always has excellent recommendations for kids’ activities around the DC area. See some of them here, here, and here.]

It was a timely treat taking my kindergartner to the Kennedy Center to see The Day You Begin, a musical based on the bestselling children’s book by author Jacqueline Woodson. The plot: the first day at a new school with diverse new people; the setting: a familiar, yet more vividly modern elementary school classroom. The message? The day you truly “begin” is when you discover what makes you unique, but also the same as people who may seem so different.

The show, an age-appropriate 55 minutes in length, is immediately engaging and interactive. The teacher, Ms. Veve, asks the audience self-identifying questions: “Who wants to be a writer? Who wants to be a teacher? A basketball star?” It’s such a distinguishing topic of conversation for a kid. One student, Rigoberto, clearly wants to be a soccer star, running passionately down the aisle with his cardboard soccer ball and speaking his native Spanish.

The class is comprised of four students who are unlikely friends, but by the end, meant to be. For much of America, the diversity depicted in the book and musical is the new norm and something your child may already be navigating in school. Multi-cultural, multi-lingual, disabled, and more; very few are exactly alike. How fortunate that our kids are figuring out what makes them special yet what connects them at such young ages.

My daughter’s favorite part of the show is the lengthy lunch scene. Some days, there’s nothing more interesting to a kid than what everyone had (or bought) for lunch. Food is a big deal in a little kid’s world. The plot thickens when one student, Min, opens a canister of kimchi for lunch. It could not be more jarring to the others but Min stands proud. The kids figure out how to be kindly curious about what’s different, and also agree on what favorite fruit they share – a “beginning” moment to their friendship.

Ms. Veve leaves us with the following lesson: “go tell your stories.” Finding your place in the world and with others can begin with you opening up and being proud of what makes you you. Because “every new friend has something a little like you – and something else so fabulously not quite like you at all.” During the car ride home, my daughter just kept begging me for kimchi for dinner…

The Day You Begin
Where: Kennedy Center | Foggy Bottom, DC
When: Through December 18
Tickets: $20-25

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Filed under 2022, DC, Fall, Live Entertainment, Weekend, Winter

Tagged as DC Children's Theater, Fall 2022, Family Activities in DC, Kennedy Center Family Theater, Kid Friendly Shows in DC, Live Entertainment for Kids, Musicals for Kids, Winter 2022

April 5, 2019 · 8:23 am

Giveaway: Put a Little STOMP in Your Spring!

STOMP, the hit musical production of choreographed percussion, is returning to DC April 23-28, and one lucky KFDC reader can win a pair of tickets to see it on opening night!

The explosive, provocative, sophisticated, utterly unique show appeals to audiences of all ages. The eight-member troupe uses everything but conventional percussion instruments — matchboxes, wooden poles, brooms, garbage cans, Zippo lighters, hubcaps — to fill the stage with magnificent rhythms. The return of the percussive hit also brings some new surprises, with some sections of the show now updated and restructured, utilizing props like tractor tire inner tubes and paint cans. As USA Today says, “STOMP finds beautiful noises in the strangest places.” See what all the noise is about!

STOMP is running at National Theatre April 23-28. Tickets are $55-75 and can be purchased online. (KFDC tip: Look for a deal here.) Run time is approximately 95 minutes with no intermission. Children under the age of four are not permitted to attend the show.

Read a KFDC review of STOMP from a few year’s back, and get a peek at it in the video below.

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Giveaway: For a chance to win a pair of tickets to STOMP at National Theatre on Tuesday, April 23, 2019, at 7:30pm, simply leave a comment below telling me your family’s favorite spring activity. Get an extra chance to win by entering on the KidFriendly DC Facebook Page, too. This giveaway will run through April 14, 2019, then a winner will be drawn at random and announced shortly thereafter. Good luck!

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Filed under 2019, All ages, DC, Giveaway, Live Entertainment, Spring, Weekdays, Weekend

Tagged as April 2019, DC Children's Theater, DC Family Activities, DC Kids Activities, DC Shows for Kids, Fun Things to do with Kids in Washington DC, Live Entertainment for Tweens and Teens, National Theatre, Spring 2019, Stomp, Theatre for Familes, Ticket Giveaway

October 1, 2017 · 7:29 pm

Where to Play on the Weekdays: October 2-6

Exploring the FDR Memorial along the Tidal Basin

Monday – Take a walk in the woods and explore the grounds of Woodend Nature Sanctuary in Chevy Chase. The home of the Audubon Naturalist Society is perfect for hiking with little ones. The trails are mellow, there are several small exhibits like bees nests and bird feeding areas, and wildlife sightings are practically guaranteed. Open dawn to dusk. Admission is free.

Tuesday – Head to the National Building Museum for all kinds of kid fun. The monthly Little Builders Storytime takes place at 10:30am & 11:30am in the Building Zone, where children can also enjoy areas that encourage pretend play with dress up and props inspired by some of the displays. The PLAY WORK BUILD exhibit upstairs is always fun for kids as well. You can also hang out in and marvel at the grandeur of the Great Hall. Grab lunch at the Firehook Bakery located there and have an indoor picnic, too! Museum hours are 10am – 5pm. Exhibit admission is $10/adult, $7/child, free for members. I highly recommend checking out membership options if you frequent the museum a few times per year.

Wednesday – Stroll around the Tidal Basin to visit some of DC’s memorials — Franklin D. Roosevelt, Martin Luther King, Jr., and Thomas Jefferson are all honored there. Visitors are welcome 24 hours a day, and park rangers are on hand to answer questions from 9:30am – 10pm. Admission is free.

Thursday – Go to Great Falls! Weekdays are an excellent time to visit when the park is less crowded. Whether you opt for the Maryland or Virginia side, you really can’t go wrong. Enjoy gorgeous views of the falls and rapids from several overlooks, hike easy trails along the river or through the woods, and stop in the Visitor Center — there’s one on each side — to learn more about the area’s history and wildlife. One visit there and you’ll understand why it’s such a popular spot.

Friday – See Drumming with Dishes, Arts on the Horizon’s adorable interactive play geared toward children ages 1-5. Showtime is 10:30am, and performances take place at The Lab Theatre at Convergence in Alexandria through October 21. Tickets are $9 and can purchased in advance online.