Santa Monica Playhouse presents a special Valentine’s Mommy or Daddy and Me ENCHANTED LUNCHTIME THEATRE, an entertaining, enriching, and educational weekday theatre experience for kids ages 3 to 6 and their parents. The afternoon includes story-telling, prop-making and handicrafts, sing-a-longs, make-up and face painting, theatre games, and, in honor of the Playhouse’s 50TH Anniversary celebration, a special gift for each participant, Tuesday, February 9, 11:30am to 1:00pm.
Since its inception in 2005 this lively and creative performing adventure has been introducing preschoolers to the creative process and providing families with new ways to interact. The delightful experience includes story time, theatre games, dance, sing-a-longs, craft-making, face painting and play building with members of Actors’ Repertory Theatre as everyone enacts a fairytale together, plus a magical lunchtime meal.
Hosted by gaily costumed Santa Monica Playhouse Theatre Artists, participants in this lively and constructive experience explore imaginary worlds through age-appropriate theatre games, improvisation, handicrafts and performance. Parents work as partners by taking an active role in all aspects of the program as members share in the enactment of the fairytale, play fun games that develop the imagination, and work with crafts to create props which are used as they act out a beloved folk tale.
Hands-on prop-making allows children to explore their world through tangible materials they can manipulate, receive creative fulfillment with instant results, and have a memento to take home and continue the story making. The experience also supports parents in their communicative and team-building efforts, while at the same time providing children with the confidence needed to excel in upcoming school programs and giving them a head start on learning, imagining and problem solving.
“Research has pointed to the importance of play in the lives of children and adults. Over forty years of Santa Monica Playhouse early theatre education experience validates the belief that structured creative activities stimulate cognitive, language, social, emotional and physical skills in the early stages of a child’s development,” says Playhouse Senior Early Education Consultant Cammy Truong. “ENCHANTED LUNCHTIME THEATRE offers youngsters a fun place to explore the sort of imaginative play that instills a true love of creativity and sharing, and gives parents a chance to join in. But most important of all, it’s just plain fun!”
Valentine’s ENCHANTED LUNCHTIME THEATRE will take place Tuesday, February 9, 2010, from 11:30 am to 1:00pm. All craft materials, a magical (and delicious) lunchtime meal, plus a special surprise for each child, are included in the $15.00 ticket price. Parents are free (”picnic” lunch, too), and participate throughout. Space is extremely limited, so be sure to reserve well in advance. The program is available for Birthday Parties and Pre-School field trips, too. Santa Monica Playhouse theatre artists also travel with the program to Pre-Schools in the Greater Los Angeles area. For more information or reservations, please call 1-310-394-9779 ext 2 or visit SantaMonicaPlayhouse.com. Fun for kids. Fun for parents. Fun for both together. What could be better?!
Feature image of The Lunchtime Ladies Serena Dolinsky, Mellie Ghaffari and Melissa Gentry by Cydne Moore
