As a mom of 3 who is busy and often stretched way too thin, I often think adding MORE things to our list is a bad idea. But I can say for certain, this IS something you NEED to add to your family’s to-do list! The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati usually offers 3-4 shows per season which run roughly from September – April, so the commitment is minimal, but the return is huge. Keep reading to find out why.
- Kids are NEVER too young to learn ātheatre mannersā. Theatre manners go way beyond the theatre and it’s a skill for a lifetime! Young ones learn to sit patiently, keep quiet and pay attention. The key word is LEARN! Your littles won’t have a chance to learn this if you don’t expose them to these situations. Shows are about 60-70 minutes so if your child can sit through a short Disney animated movie, they are ready to go.
I took my kids at 2 years old and we didn’t get kicked out š. Know that your kids won’t be perfect but the sound system usually ‘out volumes’ them and there is always a chance to make a quick exit to regroup. Be prepared for lots of lap surfing if there’s more than one adult! - The set design and costumes at The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati are inspiring. The costuming and set designs can spark inspiration in kids of all ages. Even young kids love the colors, sounds and dancing that happens LIVE on-stage. There is so much to catch their attention as they engage in live performances as see the costumes, set and sounds come together on stage.
- Seeing peers on stage builds confidence and respect for the arts. Elementary and junior high kids are inspired to see their peers in performing roles on stage. They see them confidently on stage delivering lines, songs and dance routines among other peers and adults. I know this has inspired my daughter to try performing arts and although it’s not my son’s calling, he has gained the respect for those that do!
- The learning and exploring continues after the show. If the story line or performance sparks a conversation in your house, you can keep the conversation going after the show! There are study guides for each show, so elementary age kids can learn more about the performance, costumes, set decor and more! Or listen to one of their podcasts before the show! This is a much better way to spend 30 minutes on the weekend besides more screen time! You can also listen to the TCT Podcast, Audio Footlights by The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati here and wherever you get your podcasts.
- See LIVE creativity in action! We are so programmed to watch things on demand – when we want, where we want. There is something to be said for making a commitment to go to the theatre and watch a LIVE show! Seeing a ‘show must go on’ moment, or the fact that someone is coordinating lights to sync with the actors’ movements or lines. All of this is lost when you see a typical movie or TV show. You can only find experiences like this in LIVE theatre. If you see a moment where a mistake happens on stage, it’s a great talking point with kids to show that the actor or actress took it in stride. We all make mistakes and whether it’s in front of 1 person or 1000 people, we just keep going!
- Itās a family bonding experience like no other. We make each show a date! We get dressed up and make a reservation for lunch or dinner after the show so it’s built-in quality time during our busy weekends. Sometimes, we make it a downtown Cincinnati day and ride the streetcar, ice skate during the holidays or just explore the city and stop for a treat. A season subscription is the best way to schedule these days in advance on your calendar.
The Childrenās Theatre of Cincinnati shows are such a great experience for families with kids of all ages. Each of my kids have experienced them multiple times and they are still thrilled to go to shows after many years.
Consider asking for a Season Subscription for a holiday gift from the grandparents, or gift that to your family! It guarantees great seats for each show.
See their current season here.
