Performing
I have always loved performing. Since I started dance classes at our local Parks and Recreation Department, I’ve loved getting on a stage and entertaining people. The love I get from sharing dance with people is almost as powerful as the love of dance itself.
Not everyone gets to experience performing arts from a young age. Often, there is one visual art class a week in school, and a music class, as well. Painting, drawing, and creating is very important, but I wish there was more of the performing arts in public schools. Theater and dance are such great ways for children to express themselves, to learn about things, and to start conversations.
So, if children don’t get to experience performing arts every day in school, how can they experience it at a young age? I’ve got some great ideas for you.
How to get your kids excited
- Take a class with your kids When your children are little there are so many opportunities to take “mommy and me” classes. Take a dance class or creative movement class together. Not only do they get an introduction to the arts at an early age, but they get to spend time with one of their favorite people.
- Watch a musical on TV with your kids I would encourage a non-cartoon movie, but cartoons are OK too. Just emphasize the singing and dancing. Show them how fun it looks, and tell them how they can learn to do things like that too.
- Find a free trial class in your area Many dance studios and theater companies offer perspective students a free trial class to see if they like it. It’s a great introduction without paying an entire semester of tuition. Not every art is for everyone, but there’s bound to be something that your child likes to do.
- Go to a local recital Chances are that you know someone who is enrolled in a dance class or theater program. It’s a lot of fun for kids to see other kids performing. We took my son to see his cousin performing in Beauty and the Beast last Spring, and he loved it.
- Go to a local performance Even if you don’t live near Broadway, there are lots of traveling shows in every city. There are also local dance companies, theater companies, orchestras, and bands. Find a family friendly play/dance/concert, and take your whole family. It’s OK if you can’t make it through the entire show the first time. That’s why there’s an intermission!
No matter what you do, it’s so important to expose your little ones to the performing arts. They get their creative energies flowing, they can inspire them to think in different ways, and they can get them out of their comfort zone.
Locals only
If you are local to the Milwaukee area, and need some suggestions, I can help you find a class or performance. I teach dance classes, and would love to have your little ones join me. There are just so many ways to get your little ones excited and involved in the performing arts.
In fact, I have a great way to introduce your entire family to the performing arts this next week. I was contacted by the BMO Harris Bradley Center, and have a great giveaway for you and 3 others to see TORUK – The First Flight.
Costume credit : Kym Barrett
Here’s the description for TORUK – The First Flight:
Inspired by James Cameron’s AVATAR, TORUK – The First Flight transports you to the world of Pandora in a visually stunning live setting. Experience a storytelling odyssey through a new world of imagination, discovery, and possibility.
Through a riveting fusion of cutting-edge visuals, puppetry and stagecraft buoyed by a soaring cinematic score, Cirque du Soleil applies its unique signature style to James Cameron’s imaginary world and “makes the bond” between two kindred artistic visions that capture the imagination.
This live immersive experience also bears the distinct signature of directors and multimedia innovators Michel Lemieux and Victor Pilon. It is a living ode to the Na’vi’s symbiotic coexistence with nature and their belief in the basic interconnectedness of all living things.”
Costume credit : Kym Barrett
The Giveaway
You can win a Family Four Pack for the show on September 22nd at 7:30 pm by entering my giveaway below. I will announce the winner on the blog next Tuesday.
Even if you don’t win, you can still get a great deal on tickets. There are 6 shows running from September 22nd through September 25th. They have child tickets for $25 by clicking HERE and using the password CHILD25. There is also a Family Four Pack ticket offer you can get by clicking HERE.
So, get out there and try something new. Take a class and see some performing arts!
*This is not a sponsored post, however, the giveaway was sponsored and I was given free tickets to the show.
I wish I could be a ballerina! My little God daughter is and she is so adorable in her little tutu with her hair up and her little curls. I love watching acts like this. The nutcracker has always been my favorite. I’d absolutely love to see circus de soleil.
My son is taking a musical theatre class this fall! We did music classes when the kids were younger. Performing arts are important in our family!
Theater was a very important part of my life as I went through my teen years. I’m anxious to have my son take part and see if he loves it the same way I did.
What an amazing giveaway, we love Cirque du Soleil! I’m so glad you’re supporting the arts. Something else too for people that may not be able to afford much is that my library offers a lot of concerts/performances that are usually free to attend – so check what the local libraries might be doing too!
I used to take ballet, jazz and step dance classes when I was in elementary school and I loved it. My daughter started in first grade and went on for a few years. Now she visits a hip hop class. very fun!
Wonderful suggestions and a great giveaway! I would love to see Cirque du Soleil someday. (Sadly, I can’t make it out to Milwaukee.) I enrolled my kids in gymnastics one year, but none of them wanted to stick with it. 4/5 of them participated in the school band or orchestra until they graduated high school.
These are great suggestions – I love the idea of taking a class together – so cute! Also, I entered the giveaway and I’m crossing my fingers! I saw Beatles LOVE in Vegas and it was soooo good!
LOVE! As a prior dancer, I know how important performing arts are! I love taking in anything in our community that supports performances. Luckily we have a lot of that stuff near us, year round!
These are great tips! I really hope my daughter loved dancing as much as I did!
I danced for 15 years of my life and loved it. I believe that it’s so important to engage kids in performing arts because it let’s them express themselves and it’s fun!
Great ideas! I love the one about doing a “mommy and me” class – I didn’t realise you could do those for performing arts 😀
Great post! I am pursuing my masters degree in Musical Theatre and love finding ways to share it with others, especially children. It is so important to show them the arts at a young age. It is great for their imagination! It is even easier now that channels like NBC are making musical performances for television.
There are lots of theater arts available in Los Angeles, as everyone knows – ha ha! However… I plan on flying all the way to NYC in November to see Hamilton!
Art is so important. It’s too bad that most kids don’t get a lot of exposure to it. It’s great that you value it and not only want to share it with your children, but all young ones. Some cities have improv classes for kids which I think is a great way for them to get to perform and have fun.
Oh if I lived closer, I would enter to win those Cirque tickets in a heart beat. I love how this post is centred on developing a love for the performing arts in kids.
I loved watching musicals as a kid. High School performances are great options for when “professional” shows aren’t feasible.
This is fantastic! I started dance at a young age and attended a performing arts middle and high school. So keeping the performing arts alive and appreciated is so near and dear to me.
I love love love Cirque! As soon as we thought the boys were ready to experience it, we brought them to one of the shows (I forgot which one…) and they were in such awe!
I still love watching live theater! We are going Friday to Lend Me a Tenor! RENT is always my favorite!
I’m obsessed with the performing arts!!!! I introduced musicals and does to my daughter at a young age. I went to college for music education, eventually switched majors to history…, but music still has a huge spot in my heart!
I could not agree more with everything you said!! My 3.5 year old is in his 2nd year of dance classes. Even before that I would take him with me when I taught dance class and choreographed shows. He has grown up on musicals and those are some of his favorite songs to sing! The first recital he watched was with me performing when he was 4 months old, lol.
I wish I could win these! The creative arts are very important for us. I have a couple children who are very creative and it’s such a blessing to watch them blossom.
What a great post. I think the arts are really important for a kid. My mom involved me with the children’s theater growing up and I absolutely loved it. So happy I had that experience.
Excellent ideas to spike your kids interest in performing arts! That show looks insanely good, you make me want to find one near me soon 🙂 And what a fun giveaway.
xx, Kusum | http://www.sveeteskapes.com
What a great giveaway, I wish I was local! And I agree, the arts are so important, for so many reasons! I love the simple tip of watching musicals with your kids. My kids love watching and listening to musicals!