Raising the Curtain on the Next Generation

 

There is something pretty wonderful about watching a child experience live theater. Maybe it's the first time they see a set transform in front of them. Maybe it's realizing that the people singing onstage are actually singing, right there, just a few feet away. Maybe it's the moment they become so completely absorbed in the story that they forget they're sitting in a theater at all. A great experience with live theater can create memories that last a lifetime and, sometimes, begin a lifelong love of the performing arts. But taking children to the theater can also require a little preparation.

Unlike watching a movie at home, there is no pause button, no volume control, and no easy trip to the kitchen when attention starts to wander. Live theater asks something of its audience, and learning how to be part of that audience is a skill. Fortunately, it's a pretty fun one to teach.

Start with the right show.

The single most important question isn't necessarily, "Is my child old enough?" It's "Is this a show my child will enjoy?" Children are wonderfully individual. One six-year-old may happily sit through a two-hour musical while another has reached the absolute limit of human endurance after 45 minutes. Some children love big music and spectacle. Others prefer familiar stories, comedy, or smaller productions. Consider your child's interests, attention span, maturity, and sensitivities when choosing a performance. And don't assume that "musical" automatically means "for children." Plenty of musicals contain mature themes, frightening moments, strong language, violence, or other material that may not be appropriate for every child. If you're unsure about a particular Hamilton Players production, ask us. We're happy to help you decide whether a show might be a good fit for your family.

Tell them what they're about to experience.

If a child has never attended live theater before, the experience itself can be surprising. Explain that the theater will get dark when the performance begins. There may be loud music or sudden noises. Actors might yell, cry, fight, wear unusual costumes or makeup, or appear somewhere unexpected. If you know a production contains something your child might find frightening, prepare them ahead of time. Knowing that a loud sound is coming, or that the "scary" character is really an actor playing pretend, can make a big difference. You can also explain some of the fun parts. People will laugh together. The audience may applaud after songs or scenes. There may be an intermission when everyone gets to stretch, use the restroom, and talk about what they've seen. And at the end, everybody gets to applaud the actors.

Give them a little bit of the story beforehand.

You don't have to spoil every surprise, but knowing the basic story can help children follow what is happening onstage. Tell them who some of the main characters are. Explain where the story takes place. If it's based on a book or movie they already know, talk about what they might recognize and what might be different. Then, once the show begins, they can concentrate on watching the story unfold rather than trying to figure out who everybody is.

Teach theater manners before you get there.

Children aren't born knowing theater etiquette. Someone has to teach them, and it's much easier to explain expectations at home than to introduce them for the first time in a dark theater.

Keep the rules simple:

• We stay in our own seat during the performance.
• We keep our feet off the seats and don't kick the seat in front of us.
• We use quiet voices only when absolutely necessary.
• We don't use phones or other electronic devices during the show.
• We try not to do things that make it hard for other people to see or hear.
• If we need a break, we'll quietly go to the lobby together.

Notice that none of those rules says a child must remain perfectly motionless for two hours. Children wiggle. They change positions. They react to things. Sometimes they ask a question. That's okay. The important distinction is whether their behavior is beginning to interfere with someone else's ability to enjoy the performance.

Set everyone up for success.

Use the restroom before the show. Even if they insist they don't need to. You know why. If you think your child might need a break during the performance, aisle seats can make getting in and out much easier. Make sure everyone has eaten, isn't overtired, and has had an opportunity to get some wiggles out before settling into a theater seat. These are small things, but they can make an enormous difference.

Let them know that taking a break is okay.

This may be the most important preparation of all. Before the show begins, tell your child that if they become scared, overwhelmed, restless, or simply need a break, you can step into the lobby together. It isn't a punishment and it doesn't mean they did anything wrong. Sometimes we all need a break. At Hamilton Players, if a child becomes restless or upset enough that it begins disrupting the performance, we ask an accompanying adult to step into the lobby with them. Our Front of House staff will be happy to help you return to your seats at an appropriate break in the performance. Knowing that there's an escape hatch can actually make the experience less stressful for both children and adults.

Every person needs a ticket and a seat.

At Hamilton Players, every audience member, regardless of age, must have their own ticket and their own seat. Babes in arms are not permitted. There are several reasons for this, including safety, comfort, and sightlines for the people seated behind you. More importantly, very young babies simply aren't developmentally ready for most of what live theater asks of an audience. They can't understand why the room suddenly became dark, why there was a loud noise, or why everyone around them suddenly burst into applause. There will be plenty of time to introduce them to theater when they're a little older, and we hope you will!

Remember that you're teaching a new skill.

A child's first theater experience doesn't have to be perfect to be successful. Maybe you make it through the entire show. Maybe you spend ten minutes in the lobby during Act II. Maybe they whisper one too many questions. Maybe they are absolutely mesmerized and spend the entire ride home talking about how the scenery worked. All of those experiences are part of learning how to be an audience member. The goal isn't to teach children to sit silently and disappear into their seats. It's to teach them that live theater is something special. Real people are onstage telling a story for us, and we're sharing that experience with all the other people in the room. We listen. We react. We laugh. We applaud. We make room for everyone else to enjoy it, too. And then, hopefully, we come back and do it all again. Because one of the best ways to ensure that live theater continues for generations is to invite the next generation in and teach them how much fun it is to be part of it.