During the 1990s, I directed youth theater productions for six summers. As a parent in the 2000s, I have enrolled both of my kids in various theater workshops. Basically, I’ve experienced children’s theater from every angle. (Did I mention I was Snowman #3 in my elementary school’s original musical, “E.T. Saves Christmas”?)
To ensure that you and your child have a positive experience, here are some factors to consider when choosing a youth theater workshop:
Price:
Tuition varies greatly in the world of children’s theater. If the theater workshop takes place at a professional facility, expect prices to be expensive. The show’s production value (sets, costumes, staff fees) also affect the cost.
However, if the rehearsals take place at a church, YMCA, or a public facility, then the theater workshop should offer more affordable tuition. Oftentimes, youth theater groups will host fund-raisers to minimize the cost of production. Parent participation is highly encouraged, so be ready and willing to help out behind the scenes!
Show Selection:
What play or musical is the youth theater putting on? If your child loves to sing and dance, then a children’s production of King Lear isn’t the way to go.
If your kid is new to the world of auditions or nervous about competition, try finding a show with a large ensemble cast, preferably a show with lots of great little roles:
- Music Man Jr.
- Sahara Nights
- Pom-pom Zombies
- Bugsy Malone
Shows such as Annie, Oliver!, and Cinderella are beloved musicals. However, in children’s theater, it means that there will be one happy kid playing the title role and 40 sad kids cast "line-less" orphans.
Adults in the Cast?
I’m suspicious of youth theater productions that star a large number of adult performers. I recall a children’s theater company that produced Oliver!
They cast over two-hundred children as street-urchins. The company charged $250 dollars per child. Aside from the title character and the Artful Dodger, the rest of the “speaking parts” were played by grown-ups. The young performers were on stage for a measly 15 minutes and spent the rest of their time quietly playing with their gameboys backstage.
Sometimes producers will try putting on a “regular” show, but they’ll label it “youth theater” just so they can charge child actors to off-set the cost. The kids will probably spend most of their time being baby-sat, and in the end they won’t have had an educational (or enjoyable) experience.
Cast Size:
Ideally, the production will feature between 15 to 40 cast members. That way there will be lots of different people to work with, but the directors and assistants won’t be overwhelmed with too many performers. If the cast size is too big, then the directors might end up giving the kids busy work (coloring books, arts and crafts) instead of theatrical instruction.
Some youth theaters cast as many performers as possible. That might be a sign that they are more interested in profits rather than developing a true appreciation for the theater.
Quality of the Directors / Instructors:
If the director is excessively bossy, unfriendly with children, or just plain clueless, she might not be the best mentor for your child.
To me, the ideal children’s theater directors inspire the young cast to work hard and have fun at the same time. They should be well organized, but not control freaks. They should offer positive feedback and insightful suggestions for improvement.
Basically, they should love working with kids, and the kids should love working with them.
How do you find out about a director’s personality? Go and watch one of her shows. The performance will be a strong indication of the cast’s enjoyment. Afterwards, ask parents their opinion of the workshop. And of course, there’s always the straight-forward approach. Talk with the director. Ask questions about the upcoming production and her teaching philosophy. You’ll be able to tell if she is the right match for your child.
