Best Practices for Taking Your Kids to the Theater: From the Experts
By Maria Abreu
You know it’s coming: your kids’ first experience at a theater, a concert hall, or an art gallery. It may be a play, an exhibition, a concert, or a ballet. You bought the tickets months ago, you have planned for this, and now, you might be nervous that your kid and a fine arts setting won’t mix. As with any new experience, the wisest thing you can do is to prepare your children for it. Here is some great advice from experts in the field and experienced moms to prepare your kids for their first arts- related event or show: “Create some excitement: listen to the music they will be hearing or read the story behind the art they will be going to see beforehand,” says Nicole Kelsch, Artistic Director of the Ballet Theatre of Maryland . “Let them know that this is an experience they should be fully present for, so phones and electronic devices will be turned off,” she adds. Kelsch also reminds us to tell our kids that it is okay to express their enjoyment of the show by applauding or laughing if it’s a funny show and let them know that if there is a scary part, they are safe and nothing in the show will hurt them. Laura Brino, multi-faceted artist and mom of two , tells us: “I like to prep my kids by telling them about audience etiquette like whispering, staying in their seat, etc. I also show them previews of what we are going to see: it helps give them some context and gets them excited”. Another
important reminder: do not give them too much sugar before the show; it will backfire! “I also don’t give them too much to drink before the event, so we don’t have to run to the bathroom in the middle of the performance!” Brino adds. Jackie Coleman, Executive Director of Maryland Hall for the Creative Arts , told us that we should see if there are any educational tools provided by the host/venue of the event, which usually has helpful information and recommendations. Jackie also suggests “talking to your child before, during, and after their experience, from their expectations to what they notice during the show, to how it made them feel.” Claudette McDonald, Education Coordinator at Maryland Hall, gave us a great tip: “ Do a countdown to the event!” Everyone will be super excited when the day comes. The bottom line is to create expectations around the event, set some basic rules, bring a snack or two, and talk about it afterward. Exposing our children to as many different arts experiences as possible is essential, and letting them engage with art through their own lens, not yours. Let them discover, experience, and enjoy! And maybe one day, they’ll buy the tickets to take you out to the theater!
80 | THE MOTHERLODE
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