Show Time for Young Children
By Randi Mazzella
My daughter was 6 years old when I took her to see a theater performance of Peter Pan. During the last scene, I looked over and saw that she had tears streaming down her face. I was touched by her response, and it made me realize that even young children can appreciate the power of performing arts.
“There is nothing like live theater,” says Deb Cooperman, director of marketing and public relations for the New Jersey Theatre Alliance. “Kids become so engaged watching people perform on the stage. You can see the excitement on their faces as stories they have read come to life.”
There might be no better time to introduce your child to the theater than during the holiday season. There are many performances for families in New Jersey that will capture their imaginations, from musicals to dramas to ballets.
Is your child theater-ready?
As a guideline, most theaters suggest children be at least 4 years old to attend, and they recommend starting with shows specifically geared toward younger audiences. These performances are shorter in length (approximately one hour) and are a great way to give young children their first exposure to the theater.
If you are unsure if a performance is age appropriate, speak to someone at the box office before you buy tickets, and get specific information about the show’s length and content. And if you decide to go, prepare your child for what to expect. A darkened theater may scare younger children if they don’t understand what’s happening, and special effects like flashing lights or loud noises also may upset them.
Choosing a show
“Broadway is great, but going to the theater in New York is a big investment of time and money, and young children might not be able to fully appreciate it,” says Ms. Cooperman. She notes that New Jersey’s professional theaters offer many of the same artists that design, direct, and act in New York, and she says that, “For the cost of one Broadway show, parents can take their children to see several amazing performances in New Jersey.”
Once children become accustomed to the theater, professionals suggest parents take their children to different types of shows, not just typical “kid fare.” So if you take your child to a performance of the Nutcracker during the holidays, going to see something like Dracula, the Ballet later in the year will introduce her to a non-traditional performance. It may open up a new world.
You might also want to include older children in show selection, since they are more likely to give a show their full attention if they feel included in choosing to go see it. Conversely, Ms. Cooperman says, don’t make children attend shows in which they are totally uninterested. The goal is to introduce children to a positive experience at a young age so that they will appreciate performing arts for years to come.
Finally, find out about special programs. Many theaters offer study guides, as well as meet-and-greets with the actors, preshow learning opportunities, and talkbacks.
Buying tickets
To get tickets, call or visit the theater’s box office. While some holiday performances sell out months in advance, there might very well be tickets still left for holiday shows. The New Jersey Theatre Alliance also offers a free online service at njartstix.org, where you can buy tickets up to 48 hours in advance, at 25 to 75 percent off the original price.
Theater etiquette
Unlike watching television, attending theater is a communal experience. That means the audience is expected to sit quietly, listen, and participate by applauding and laughing when appropriate. Children who have gone to children’s shows, where singing aloud or shouting to the characters is encouraged, may not realize that this is not acceptable behavior in a regular theater. So explain behavior expectations to your children prior to attending a show. Model good theater behavior yourself by shutting off your cell phone and directing all your attention to the performers. Prepare your children for the show by explaining the storyline in advance, and letting them know they can ask questions after the performance.
Yet, even if you think your child is totally prepared for the theater, kids are unpredictable, and it might not work out. Theater professionals strongly encourage parents to remove a child who is unable to act appropriately. It’s better to try again at a later date than to make the theater an unpleasant experience for your child and for the other theatergoers in the seats around you.
On with the show
Randi Mazzella is a freelance writer from Short Hills, NJ. She has children in elementary school, middle school, and high school.
November 2009
