It's one of my favorite times of the year....EQT Children’s Theater Festival! This festival is an awesome way to introduce your kids to theater in the most kid-friendly way. I especially can't wait to check out Tangle, this year's interactive art installation. They have something entertaining for all ages, including a Sensory Friendly Performance. Tickets start at just $5 which makes the event very affordable. There are also lots of FREE events and a myriad of other activities to entertain your family!
29th ANNUAL EQT CHILDREN’S THEATER FESTIVAL
May 14-17, 2015 | Festival open daily, 10AM – 7PM
CULTURAL DISTRICT, DOWNTOWN PITTSBURGH
Pamela Komar who is the Executive Director of the Children’s Theater Series & Festival, shared a few thoughts with Deanna Lee**:
What does the theater experience bring to children?
The benefits of theater are undeniable. Theater inspires imagination, creativity, problem solving, thoughtfulness and so many more life skills. International theater also brings the world to the stage in Pittsburgh. Children are introduced to other cultures and perspectives.
What if a child has never seen theater before? Will they be engaged?
Children’s theater is a fascinating term because it encompasses all genres—artists may create shows for young audiences utilizing various forms of performance and visual art—dance, theater, music, puppetry, object theater, comedy, circus, spoken word, etc. Many times one show will cross many genres. For festival first timers, I suggest considering a child’s unique interests. This year we have a show just for babies and toddlers called Umbo. The piece is a terrific first-time theater experience created along with child development specialists. Some children like to see shows based on a book that is familiar or can be read and discovered before hand—for example, this year’s festival includes Spot based on the books by Eric Hill, Hansel and Gretel based on the original Brother’s Grimm fairytale, and a contemporary take on Robin Hood.
FEATURED TICKETED EVENTS
All ticketed performances will take place in the Cultural District. Full descriptions of each Featured Ticketed Performances are at www.TrustArts.org/PGHKids.
SPOT by Theater Terra
The Netherlands
AGES 3 – 7 | 50 minutes
Location: Byham Theater, 101 6th Street
Go along with Spot to the farm where all of the animals are lost. Spot and his friend Helen need your help! Can you recognize the sounds of the animals and help find them?
* Sensory Friendly Performances, which will include interactivity, rhythm, repetition, reduced sound levels and gentle lighting are scheduled at 1:00 p.m. on May 16 and 5:45 p.m. on May 17. Sponsored by The Children’s Institute.
UMBO by Teatro Al Vacio
Mexico
AGES 6 months – 4 years* | 30 minutes
Location: Cabaret at Theater Square, 655 Penn Avenue
A joyous, playful and stimulating experience for the youngest of audiences. Share a special moment with your little one in a colorful world filled with play, exploration, and discovery. Follow Umbo as he grows just like you will! *All children require a ticket, accompanied by an adult. Additional adult companions and guests will be seated in chairs surrounding the play space.
HANSEL AND GRETEL by GRUPPE 38
Denmark
AGES 8+ only* | 40 minutes
Location: Trust Arts Education Center, 805-807 Liberty Avenue
Are you brave enough to hear the real story of Hansel and Gretel? The darkest of The Brothers Grimm fairytales is brought to hair-raising life. With live music, the storyteller transitions between all characters, illustrating the tale using stunning visuals and projections.
*Children under the age of 8 will not be admitted.
THE ADVENTURES OF ROBIN HOOD by Visible Fictions
Scotland
AGES 7+ | 60 minutes
Location: Byham Theater, 101 6th Street
In a forest near you lives a band of brothers seeking to rid the land of evil and return hope to the poorly treated. Join internationally acclaimed Visible Fictions for a silly and unexpected take on Robin Hood and unleash your imagination!
MANXMOUSE: THE MOUSE WHO KNEW NO FEAR by Theatergroep Kwatta
The Netherlands
AGES 5+ | 60 minutes
Location: Trust Arts Education Center, 805-807 Liberty Avenue
The brave Manxmouse is unique. He has bright blue fur, huge rabbit ears, and a distinct lack of a tail, but he doesn’t mind being different! Manxmouse is a play about being yourself, told with puppets, animation, and music!
NEW OUTDOOR INTERACTIVE ART INSTALLATION
TANGLE by Polyglot Theatre
Australia
ALL AGES | 30 minutes
Play in and explore this unforgettable art installation, complete with live music! Visitors create a tangled multi-colored landscape by weaving colorful balls of elastic through tall golden poles. What will you create?! Polyglot Theatre is assisted by the Australian Federal Government through the Australia Council, its arts funding and advisory body, the Victorian Government Melbourne and the City of Stonnington.
SENSORY-FRIENDLY PERFORMANCE
SENSORY-FRIENDLY EVENTS during this year’s festival include SPOT (Theater Terra, The Netherlands) taking place at the Byham Theater, 101 6th Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15222. Sensory-friendly performances will be held at 1:00 p.m. on May 16 and 5:45 p.m. on May 17.
GIVEAWAY:
We have 8 tickets to give away to two lucky winners (four tickets each)! These vouchers can be used for any of the previously mentioned shows listed above. Go here to enter (and then don't forget to keep scrolling down to learn about all the FREE events!)
a Rafflecopter giveaway
LILYPAD PARK
This year the center of the Festival features a bigger and better pop-up park! This special green space is full of turf lily pads and furniture, flower planters, a sandbox, and more! Enjoy even more play space this year as Penn Avenue will be closed to traffic from 7th to 9th Streets during the entirety of the Festival! A Complete listing of Food Trucks, Family-Friendly Restaurants, Community Stage performances and Hands-On activities will be made available at TRUSTARTS.ORG/PGHKIDS in May. Vendors will be selling a variety of foods on the festival grounds – ALL SALES ARE CASH ONLY. Benches and grass seating areas are available throughout the Cultural District to enjoy food vending or packed lunches.
PUBLIC ART AND INSTALLATIONS
Family-friendly artwork is on display at Space, Wood Street Galleries, Future Tenant Gallery, 707 & 709 Galleries, Shaw Galleries and Agnes R. Katz Plaza.
HANDS-ON AND RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES
From craft-making to workshops to games, attendees can discover over 30 fun activities on the festival grounds!
FROG STOP SCAVENGER HUNT
Back by popular demand, attendees can explore key locations in and around the festival Grounds! Discover interesting facts, participate in fun activities and learn about the Cultural District along the way. Complete the scavenger hunt and win a kid cone from Dream Cream Ice Cream.
THE KID FLIX MIX
This kaleidoscopic showcase of the best short film and animation comes straight from the New York International Children’s Film Festival. The show runs daily during Festival hours. Films are recommended for kids ages 3-6 and will take place at the Harris Theater, located at 809 Liberty Avenue.
PARKING AND TRANSPORTATION
Reserve parking vouchers in the heart of the Cultural District at Theater Square Parking Garage. A limited number of vouchers will be held for Festival visitors each day. To reserve your parking voucher, call 412-456-6666 or visit the Box Office at Theater Square.
Festival travel as convenient and comfortable as possible! For information about parking lots and garages in the Cultural District, visit www.ParkPGH.org. This site shows real-time parking availability in over 20 downtown parking lots with parking inventory updates every 30 seconds.
The Cultural District is serviced by public transportation options through the Port Authority of Allegheny County. For more information, visit http://www.TrustArts.org/visit/public_transportaion/
*Photos used courtesy of the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust.
**Deanna Lee is a recovering advertising professional, amateur cook and freelance writer. Hailing from northwestern PA, she's made the transition from country to city life and enjoys writing about (and experiencing) all things Pittsburgh.