Top Family Entertainment and Programs at Georgia’s Alliance Theatre

Zoe Reardon
4 min readApr 6, 2023

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There’s no denying that theatre is a wonderful outlet for entertainment. But it’s also great for building character, improving communication, and tapping into the creativity of the entire family. Whether you want to enjoy a live performance or join one of the many workshops offered at the Alliance Theatre, you are sure to find something to participate in.

Engaging Family Programs

The beauty of the Alliance Theatre rests not only on the entertaining characters of every performance, but also in its variety. People from ages 0 to 100 can choose to be part of the theatre’s many productions, acting classes, or workshops.

For the Very Young

The Kathy & Ken Bernhardt Theatre for the Very Young focuses on professional performances for children between the ages of 0 to 5. Children begin the learning process to overcome age and developmental barriers and expand their consciousness through all aspects of the performing arts.

Yearly packages generally include four productions in the Selig Family Blackbox Theatre and run from $40 per adult and $20 per child older than 5. Those under 5 years of age can participate for free.

The Lizard & El Sol

The Lizard & El Sol is an interactive puppet adventure about the joy of sunshine and friendship. Audience members help “The Lizard” search and find the sun and convince it to return to its proper place in the sky.

It’s inspired by a popular Mexican folktale about the disappearance of the sun (El Sol). This musical and dance-filled show is a part of the performances held at the Selig Family Blackbox Theatre and runs through April 30.

Peter and the Wolf

Peter and the Wolf is a story about a boy who, with his animal friends, bravely ventures outside the garden gate. Unbeknownst to the brave young boy, a wolf is lurking around in the wilderness.

Find out what happens to Peter and the wolf during this interactive outdoor show. It’s performed on Sifly Piazza at the Woodruff Arts Center and is designed for kids of all ages.

Toddler Takeover

For newborns and up to 5 years old, the Toddler Takeover is an opportunity to be part of a unique experience that includes feature performances of the Kathy & Ken Bernhardt Theatre for the Very Young, art-making at the High Museum of Art, and a few activities with Atlanta Symphony Orchestra musicians to name a few.

Purchase your passes early for this April 29–30 event starting at 9 a.m. and ending at 2 p.m. On April 29, there will be a celebration in honor of the PNC Grow Up Great’s 10th Anniversary.

The festivities, including a parade led by a Sesame Street character, will recognize the PNC’s partnership with the Alliance Theatre and Fernbank Museum of Natural History and their investment in arts integration for Atlanta public schools.

Babies: Off-Book!

If your child is a newborn or up to 24 months old, you can join them in the Babies: Off-Book! acting and drama sensory workshop that continues through May. Early learners can tap into their senses through stories, rhymes, songs, and objects. Grown-ups also benefit from engaging their voice, body, and imagination. Theatre teachers host this free 30-minute workshop on Tuesdays from 10:30 to 11:30

Theatre’s Benefits for Families

Introducing your family to the world of live theatre comes with many benefits. It increases creativity, helps to boost children’s grades in school, builds confidence, improves communication and collaborative skills, and teaches patience.

Other benefits include improving time management skills and mental health, as well as promoting empathy. During theatrical workshops, families also learn new games to play at home. Theatre is also the perfect way for children to experience various situations first-hand, and it allow them to work through obstacles to find solutions.

The Alliance Theatre is home to various family programs. If you missed a chance to participate in your favorite, no worries. With new and exciting shows and workshops offered throughout the year, you’ll have ample opportunities to experience the wonderful world of theatre.

Takeaway

Look for more shows like Roob and Noob, The Boy Who Kissed The Sky, and more. Each show caters to young learners. It takes a village to raise a family. Let the Alliance Theatre be a part of your village by signing up to watch a show or take a workshop. You’ll be surprised at how much you and your children take away from the experience.

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Zoe Reardon

Zoe Reardon graduated with a bachelor of science in business and world languages from Southern Methodist University (SMU) in Dallas, Texas.