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Starting a Theater for Children
Starting a children’s theater program can, at first look, be a daunting task. As with any task, breaking it into smaller steps will help you accomplish a great deal. Here are some simple steps to starting a program of your own. 1. Decide on your scope – what age children will you be having in your program? Will you be able to divide them up into smaller groups, or will you have one large group with diverse ages? Will you be a group for beginners, young actors, or both? A good guide is to start small and add later – perhaps you’ll want to limit your group to a specific age range or ability.
2. Which way are you headed? Do you want your children to be able to experience many different types of productions, or would you prefer to select one type of production, i.e. drama, comedy, or musical? Do you want the children to have a taste of various acting styles, or would you prefer to teach skills that allow your group to put on a show at the end of your program? For beginning groups, it is usually best to select a show and focus on that as a goal.
3. Selecting a show – there are many resources for acquiring the rights to put on a show – Music Theater International, and Pioneer Drama Services are among the best known. You also can search the internet for scripts. One fun thing that really allows the children to take ownership of their production is to have them write their own play. Remember, for your fist show, try to keep it simple – you can put on a touring version of a Broadway show once you’ve gained some experience!
4. What resources do you have available? Do you have a theater space to use, or will you be putting on your show elsewhere? Are there restrictions to what you can build, or do they already have things built you can use? Where will things be stored between classes? In its simplest form, a show can be done without a set or props, however, a few simple costumes and props add a lot to a show. If you have the ability and resources, a set can really enhance a show. Take the time to learn about set building, if you don’t have a clue where to start – set building can be as simple as large pieces of paper painted by the children and hung on the wall.
5. Rehearsal time – after more than 25 years doing children’s theater, I have learned one really important thing – if it’s not fun for you, then it’s less fun for the kids. Rehearsing for a show should not feel like dental surgery – it should be a lot of fun! Start with some silly activities – put on upbeat music, and allow each student (one at a time) to do a silly walk or dance – while the other students try to copy it. This does a lot towards removing the self-conscious feelings kids get in front of their peers. Another fun activity is to select a phrase, such as “Hi, how are you?” or “Let’s go to the movies!” and have the students wander around the room saying it to each other using as many different emotions as possible. Starting a children’s theater is a very rewarding activity, if not a lot of hard work. The children, and their parents, won’t be able to thank you enough for the fun, confidence, and inspiration. And your community will thank you for the wonderful shows!
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Contributor's Note
I have been involved in children's theater for over 25 years, as an actor, director, and more recently, stage mom.
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