Saturday, February 25, 2012

Introducing Your Youngsters to the Performing Arts



Families in the Fox Cities are in for a treat at the Fox Cities Performing Arts Center with both Clifford The Big Red Dog– LIVE! and Mary Poppins right around the corner. Tickets are still available for both titles, so we thought we'd share some ideas to make the show fun for the whole family.

Pick the Right Show for Your Kids
Nobody knows your kids like you do, and thinking about a child’s attention span is a great place to start. Broadway’s smash-hit Mary Poppins is a remarkable theater event, but if your little one can’t make it past 8:00 p.m., you may want to to plan for a matinee performance. Visit foxcitiespac.com for details like run times to help you select shows that fit your family.

Help Them Understand
Live performances are exciting, but they can also be a bit overwhelming. Talk to your kids about what they can expect at the theater from finding their seats to seeing the characters they love onstage. Let them know it’s okay to laugh, dance and have fun, but they might miss important parts if they talk during the show. They’ll take their cues from you, so get ready to have some fun!

Look for Study Guides
For most family-friendly performances, the Fox Cities P.A.C. offers study guides to help parents and teachers expand the live theater experience beyond the show. Click "Behind the Scenes" on the show page to find coloring sheets, discussion questions, and other ideas to help the arts come alive for your kids before and after the show.


Community Engagement Activities
For many family shows, the Center invites ticket holders to free community engagement activities. This weekend, ticket holders for Clifford the Big Red Dog – LIVE! will have the chance to meet the Fox Valley Humane Association’s ambassador dog Wilma, create their own Clifford ears, make a friendship bracelet and more. Check foxcitiespac.com to find out if a community engagement activity is tied to your next performance!

The performing arts are a great way to spend time with the family and introduce your children to new and exciting possibilities. Plus, you'll create memories that last a lifetime. Do you remember your first live performance?
 

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