Children's Theater Festival + Ticket Giveaway

It's almost May (yay!) which also means one our of very FAVORITE festivals of the year is almost here! The EQT Children's Theater Festival is one of the most unique family events around and you don't want to miss it! We've seen some really cool and interesting shows since our family started attending 5 years ago. 

EQT Children’s Theater Festival 

May 16-19 

Downtown Pittsburgh’s Cultural District

There are featured performances for kids and teens of all ages in Cultural District theaters and tickets start at only $12. In addition to featured performances, the Festival grounds are filled with FREE activities, performances, and experiences for families.

The awesome shows coming this year:

• FLY: A poetic journey into a circus universe with strange characters, big emotions and captivating puppet imagery.
• Emily Brown & The Thing: Emily Brown and Stanley set off on incredible adventures to the Dark and Scary Wood, the Whirling Wastes and beyond, to find the Thing’s cuddly, his bedtime milk and his medicine.
• Murikamification: The magical, surrealistic stories of Haruki Murakami come to life with the intensely physical and absurd performance throughout Pittsburgh’s own Cultural District.
• Sky & Stone:  A stone falls from the sky and sparks curiosity, exploration, and play for babies and toddlers.
• Air Play: Flying umbrellas, larger-than-life balloons, giant kites floating over the audience, and the biggest snow glove you’ve ever seen will make you gasp in wonder and laugh until it hurts.
• Sons of Mystro: Use their violins to interpret reggae classics, American pop songs and their own creations accompanied by beats, and sometimes a DJ & guitarist.
• Circle, Circle, Circle: Immerse yourself in a larger-than-life cube of colors. A 3D rainbow of circles create a 15-foot high maze that’s as fun to gaze at as it is to adventure inside.

Go here to get tickets, starting at just $12!

There are friendly, helpful Festival Guides stationed throughout the Cultural District to help families find their Festival destinations, get show and activity recommendations, and more! Be sure to visit this link to help plan your visit with parking, restrooms, food options & event information. 

GIVEAWAY

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We're going to make it extra fun for two families by giving away {two} family 4-packs of tickets to the show of your choice! Enter below!

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Thanks to Pittsburgh Cultural Trust for sponsoring this great family festival and this post. All opinions remain my own. I don't endorse venues that my family doesn't love!

Win tickets for Junie B. Jones in Jingle Bells, Batman Smells!

When my kids first started reading chapter books, Junie B. Jones is one of the first series to which they gravitated. She's always seems to be in some sort of mix up that delights as she stumbles her way to a solution. We are pretty excited about the chance to see a Junie B. Jones show live and in person!

Enter: Junie B. Jones in Jingle Bells, Batman Smells!
Junie B. Jones, First-Grader, is super-excited about the upcoming Holiday Sing-Along and Secret Santa gift exchange at her school. Too bad tattletale May keeps ruining all of Junie B.'s fun. So, when Junie B. draws May's name for Secret Santa, she comes up with the perfect plan to teach her nemesis a lesson! But will the Christmas spirit of peace and goodwill interfere before she can give you-know-who what she deserves? A hilarious and endearing tale based on the best-selling book series by Barbara Park.

Fri, Nov 23 - Sat, Nov 24, 2018

Byham Theater

101 6th Street 

Pittsburgh PA 15222

Run Time: 60 minutes

Child Policy

This event is designated for younger audiences. If a child has reached their first birthday they must have a ticket and be seated next to an accompanying adult. Children younger than 12 months will be admitted without a ticket and must sit on an adult's lap.

GIVEAWAY:
We have a family 4-pack of tickets to giveaway. Click below to enter to win.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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• This post sponsored in partnership with Pittsburgh Cultural Trust. I may have received tickets or compensation in exchange for promotion. I don't promote venues that my family doesn't love! 
  Photos courtesy of Pittsburgh Cultural Trust.

EQT Bridge Theater Series + ticket giveaways

My kids have edged past the toddler stage (yay!) and are starting to look for kid friendly shows that are still entertaining and fun, but don't feel geared towards younger kids. So our family is very excited about the EQT Bridge Theater Series this year! The EQT Bridge Theater Series tells extremely interesting stories, but teaches some cultural and historical themes as well. 

The EQT Bridge Theater Series is for children ages 7+ and their families. These shows will amaze, excite, and leave you wondering. Get ready for theater that moves, shakes, and shatters expectations! Shows take place in Downtown Pittsburgh’s Cultural District in the Byham Theater, Trust Arts Education Center, and one mystery location. The Bridge Theater Series will continue and expand upon the tradition that families begin when their children attend Children’s Theater Series shows at an early age.

Another great aspect of this series is that most shows are under an hour and tickets start at just $12!
Be sure you have your settings to our facebook page set to follow as we'll be giving away tickets for each show!

2018-2019 Season

Androcles and The Lion

Fri, Nov 2 - Sat, Nov 10, 2018

Trust Arts Education Center

A suspenseful tale as old as time itself. Even if you know the story, this version is a new experience that is told as the audience reclines in hammocks under a radiant sky. Androcles is a slave who must escape after being accused of theft. He flees to into the burning sun of the Libyan desert. So many creatures and sounds live in the desert. And in the middle of the pitch-dark night, a roar sounds so loudly that Androcles’ heart freezes. Experience this tale of danger, deception and kindness in this unexpected and immersive story.

Moon Shot

Fri, Jan 18 - Sat, Jan 19, 2019

Byham Theater

Biggest Story, Smallest Stage. To recreate the story of America’s Apollo 11 lunar landing, seven actors squeeze onto a 21-square feet stage nearly as tight as NASA’s original Mercury capsules. Using only their bodies and their voices, this astounding play brings to life one of the most daring times in the history of human exploration: the Space Race. From the Cold War to Sputnik, from Yuri Gagarin to Neil Armstrong, this action-packed show brings the company’s tongue-in-cheek humor to a whole new atmosphere—one where the rules of gravity no longer apply.

Leo

Fri, Mar 29 - Sat, Mar 30, 2019

Byham Theater

What would happen if the law of gravity were to suddenly change?
LEO is a mind-bending, funny, surreal, and surprisingly touching theater work that challenges the senses and tests perceptions of reality through the clever interplay of live performance and high tech video projection.
Universally appealing to adults and children, LEO leaves audience members wondering which way is up and which way is down.

Murikamification

Sat, May 18, 2019

Step into the daydream that unfolds before your eyes. Using the magical, surrealistic stories of Haruki Murakami as a source of inspiration, Kaiel creates an intensely physical and absurd performance trail. In each new city, the work is adapted to the local context. In each version of ‘Murikamification’, a diverse and curious audience is overwhelmed by surprising scenery in the streets of their own city. Follow the action on this moving theater piece throughout Pittsburgh’s own Cultural District.

Mark your calendars, purchase tickets + share with your friends! These shows are going to be fantastic fun! Go here to purchase tickets. 

Children’s Theater Membership benefits, including exclusive meet-and-greets with performers and priority seating, begin at the $100 Partners Membership level. You and your family can play a role in bringing outstanding children’s programming to Pittsburgh. Join today.

This post sponsored in partnership with Pittsburgh Cultural Trust. I may have received tickets or compensation in exchange for promotion. I don't promote venues that my family doesn't love! 

Photos courtesy of Pittsburgh Cultural Trust.

PJ Masks: Ticket Giveaway

When I told my kids about PJ MASKS Live coming to Pittsburgh, they immediately ran and put their pajamas on – and it was only noon! If your kids are as excited as mine about PJ Masks, keep reading because I have some great news!

PJ MASKS Live! Time to Be a Hero!

Monday, November 13^th, 2017 at 6pm

Tuesday, November 14^th, 2017 at 6pm

Byham Theatre

Come see your favorite pint-sized super heroes in action in their brand new live show: PJ MASKS Live! Watch Catboy, Owlette and Gekko as they try to save the day from their sneaky villains — Romeo, Night Ninja and Luna Girl! Fluttering Feathers! Leaping Lizards! What a CAT-­tastrophe!

You’ve NEVER seen the PJ Masks like this before — leaping, flipping and climbing — live on stage! Expect to hear some of your favorite PJ Masks songs along with some brand new ones! There are two opportunities to see this amazing show – Monday and Tuesday evening, November 13^th and 14^th.

You don’t want to sleep through this, so hurry up and get your tickets here before they sell out!

Time to be a Hero Pajama Program

Any PJ Masks fan knows that pajamas are a powerful, magical tool for children. That’s why ‘PJ Masks Live! Time to Be a Hero,’ will collect pajamas for Pajama Program at the Byham Theater before the PJ Masks Live! performances.

Bring a pair of new pajamas for children (infant through age 18) to the show. Pajama Program will gladly share these gifts with the children they serve.

Giveaway:

We have 4 tickets for the Monday evening performance to give to one lucky family!

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Written by Momtourage mama, Kayt Bech. 

This post is in collaboration with Pittsburgh Cultural Trust as I know you'll enjoy this great family-friendly show!

Ticket Giveaway: EQT Children's Theater Festival

One of our favorite Pittsburgh family events of the year is just a month away! The EQT Children's Theater Festival is a 4 day event with live performances, free activities, outdoor fun + much more! Affordable tickets make this a great option for family fun on Thursday, May 18 - Sunday, May 21, 2017.

Located in the Downtown Pittsburgh Cultural District, this year's EQT Children's Theater Festival includes:

• Professional theater performances from around the world
• Over 40 FREE hands-on educational and cultural activities!
• Family-friendly gallery installations, public art and interactive art!
• FREE outdoor pop-up performances featuring local and regional artists!
• Frog Stop Scavenger Hunt throughout the Cultural District featuring a free, fun prize!

Festival Grounds

The festival grounds will include a variety of food options and vendors, visual art programming at local galleries, pop-up green spaces, free hands-on activities, and free outdoor performances coordinated with Youth Express. 

Festival hours 

10:00am-2:00pm on Thursday, May 18 and 10:00am-6:00pm on Friday, May 19, through Sunday, May 21, 2017.

Featured Performances

MUFARO’S BEAUTIFUL DAUGHTERS by Dallas Children’s Theater
United States 
Ages 5-11 | 65 minutes
Venue: August Wilson Center, 980 Liberty Avenue
When Mufaro learns that a great African king wants to meet the most worthy and beautiful women in order to choose a wife, he decides that both of his daughters should go.  During their journey to the King, Mufaro’s beautiful daughters Manyara and Nyasha encounter mysterious situations that test their courage, kindness and strength of spirit.  Celebrate goodness, generosity and love with traditional chanting, rhythmic drumming, and glorious African song in this beautiful Zimbabwe-based Cinderella tale based on the 1988 Caldecott Honor Award book by John Steptoe.  The story was adapted for the stage by Karen Abbott, with music and lyrics by S-Ankh Rasa.

THE WAY BACK HOME by Teater Refleksion and Branar Theater

Denmark and Northern Ireland

Ages 3-6 | 40 minutes
Venue: Trust Arts Education Center, 805-807 Liberty Avenue
When a boy discovers a single-propeller airplane in his closet, he does what any young adventurer would do: he flies into outer space!  Millions of miles from earth, the plane begins to sputter and quake.  The boy makes a daring landing on the moon where he realizes he’s not alone up there.  Based on the book by Oliver Jeffers, The Way Back Home explores the boundless imagination of children through puppetry, wonderful music, and creative wordless storytelling. 

WE BUILT THIS CITY by Polyglot

Australia
All Ages | 30 minutes
Venue: 7th Street & Penn Avenue, Outdoor interactive installation, with partial tentThe whole family will enjoy building the cities of their dreams in this giant cardboard construction site.  Thousands of cardboard boxes take over in this interactive performance where children build entire cities and towns of skyscrapers, tunnels, and sprawling estates that reflect the time and place of their immediate culture.  With a rocking soundtrack and Polyglot Theatre artists roaming the site, We Built This City is one of the happiest projects you will ever experience.  We Built This City is made possible in-part by the Maranne P. Welch Family Endowment.  Established in 2015, the Maranne P. Welch Family Endowment supports adventurous theater for young audiences.

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ELEPHANT AND PIGGIE’S WE ARE IN A PLAY!

The Kennedy Center Theater for Young Audiences on Tour

United States
Ages 3-8 | 60 minutes
Venue: Byham Theater, 101 Sixth Street
Elephant Gerald and Piggie sing and dance their way through plenty of pachydermal peril and swiney suspense in Elephant & Piggie’s We Are in a Play!  This vaudevillian romp of a musical is based on Mo Willems’s beloved, award-winning, best-selling children’s books.  Together, these best friends face fundamental questions like: What do you wear to a fancy pool costume party? Should you share your ice cream? And how can two friends play with one toy? Backed by the nutty backup singers The Squirrelles, the duo even gets the audience involved in the action. You’ll be doing the “Flippy Floppy Floory” dance all night long!  This performance is also part of the 2016-2017 Citizens Bank Children’s Theater Series.

*Sensory Friendly Performances, which will include interactivity, rhythm, repetition, reduced sound levels and gentle lighting are scheduled at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, May 20, 2017.

SIMPLE GIFTS by Cashore Marionettes

United States
Ages 7+ | 60 minutes
Venue: Trust Arts Education Center, 805-807 Liberty Avenue
Experience a series of touching and poignant scenes from everyday life told through a beautiful and skillful manipulation of marionettes.  Set to music, this theatrical and artistic program will provide an entertaining and sensitive vision of what it is to be human.  This performance is also part of the 2016-2017 EQT Bridge Theater Series.  

PULSE by Teatro al Vacio

Mexico
Ages 0-2 | 30 minutes
Venue: Cabaret at Theater Square, 655 Penn Avenue
Carefully designed for the youngest of theatergoers, Pulse uses soft textures and lively games to invite infants and toddlers into a safe, positive, and friendly environment that will stimulate their sense of creativity. Actors create an extraordinary space ready for exploration, connecting with simple materials to transform their surroundings into a world of play.  This event is a U.S. premiere.

Sensory-Friendly Performances Schedule

Sensory-friendly events during this year’s festival include ELEPHANT AND PIGGIE’S WE ARE IN A PLAY! taking placed at the Byham Theater, 101 6th Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15222. Sensory-friendly performances will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, May 20, 2017.

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Tickets and Information

Tickets are $9 for features performances. Multi-show packs are available and offered for as low as $6 per show! Flex Vouchers from the Citizens Bank Children’s Theater Series and EQT Bridge Theater Series are honored for all ticketed events taking place during the festival. Visit www.TrustArts.org/PGHkids, call (416) 456-6666, or pick up tickets in person at Theater Square Box Office, 655 Penn Avenue. For groups of 10+ call (412) 471-6930, or visit GroupSales@TrustArts.org. 

Ticket Giveaway

We are excited to give away two sets of tickets to two lucky families!
(Tickets can be redeemed for any show EXCEPT Elephant and Piggie's We Are In A Play.)
Click link to enter to win!

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Getting Around Downtown

Here are some ways to make your trip to the Festival easier!

• Reserve parking in advance with vouchers for the Theater Square Garage. Learn how here.
• Visit ParkPGH.org for real time parking availability in over 20 Downtown parking garages.
• Visit the Port Authority website for bus and trolley schedules and routes to the Festival. 

This post sponsored by Pittsburgh Cultural Trust. If I don't love it, I don't endorse it. ❤