Taking Your Child to Their First Live Musical: What to Expect

Julie Wendler – Artistic Director of Dance

There is something truly special about watching a child experience live theatre for the very first time.

The lights go down. The music begins. The curtain rises and suddenly, the story is happening right in front of them. There are no screens to swipe, no pause button, and no second take. Just actors, music, costumes, storytelling, and a room full of people experiencing it all together.

At Cavod Performing Arts in New Holland, PA, we absolutely love seeing families in our audiences. We believe children of all ages have a place in the theatre, and there is nothing quite like watching a young audience member become completely captivated by what is happening onstage.

If you’re thinking about bringing your child to their first live musical, you may be wondering: Will they sit still? Will they understand it? Will they enjoy it? What if they get a little wiggly?

The answer to all of those questions is probably: maybe, and that’s okay!

Here are a few things to expect as you introduce your child to the magic of live theatre.

1. Be Prepared for Their Imagination to Take Over

Children have incredible imaginations and live theatre gives them a chance to use them.

A musical doesn’t need to look exactly like real life for a child to believe in the story. A simple set can become an entire world. A costume can transform an actor into a completely different character. A few notes of music can make a moment feel exciting, mysterious, funny, or heartbreaking.

There is something about seeing a story unfold live that captures both the mind and the heart of a child.

You may notice your child leaning forward in their seat, whispering questions, pointing out characters, or becoming emotionally invested in what is happening onstage. They might laugh loudly when something is funny or become completely silent during a dramatic moment.

That’s engagement!

And that is one of the beautiful things about introducing children to theatre. They aren’t simply watching a story, they are imagining themselves inside of it.

Don’t be surprised if the show sparks conversations on the car ride home, inspires a new round of pretend play, or suddenly has your living room transformed into a stage. Those moments are part of the magic!

2. They’re Learning More Than They Realize

One of the wonderful things about musical theatre is that it can be both incredibly entertaining and educational.

Many musicals introduce children to new vocabulary, storytelling styles, cultures, historical events, and time periods. They may hear words they don’t use every day or encounter characters and situations that inspire them to ask questions.

Maybe a musical introduces them to a historical figure of whom they haven’t heard of before. Maybe it takes place in a different time period or part of the world. Maybe a song introduces a new phrase or idea that sticks with them long after the curtain closes.

Music itself can also support language development. Children are listening closely to lyrics, following a story through dialogue and song, remembering melodies, and connecting words with emotion and movement.

Because they’re having fun, it doesn’t necessarily feel like learning.

One of our favorite things about the arts is that sometimes the lessons that stay with us the longest are the ones we didn’t realize we were learning.

3. A Little Planning Can Make the Experience Even Better

Let’s be honest! Asking a young child to sit in a theatre seat for an extended period of time can be a tall order!

There are a few simple ways to help make the experience more enjoyable for everyone.

Concessions can be a great motivator. There’s something exciting about getting a special theatre treat, and knowing that a snack is coming can give little ones something fun to look forward to during the performance.

Intermission is your friend. If the show has an intermission, take advantage of it! It’s a perfect opportunity to stretch little legs, use the restroom, grab a snack, and let out some of that wiggle energy before settling back in for the second act.

And don’t feel embarrassed if your child needs a little redirection. Sitting through a live performance is a skill, and children learn it with practice.

Check the age recommendation before you go. Just like movies, musicals are created with different audiences and age groups in mind. Not every show will be appropriate for every child, and some productions may explore more mature themes or topics.

The good news is that this information is usually easy to find. Check the theatre’s website or give the box office a call before purchasing tickets. We are always happy to help families understand what to expect so they can choose a production that is a good fit for their children.

Children Are Welcome in the Theatre!

If you’ve been hesitant to bring your child because you’re worried they might be “too young” for a live musical, we want you to know something:

We love having children in our audience.

We love seeing their faces light up when the curtain opens. We love hearing their laughter. We love watching them become completely absorbed in a story. And we love knowing that somewhere in that audience might be a future actor, singer, musician, director, designer, or simply someone who will carry a lifelong love of the arts.

Your child doesn’t have to sit perfectly still.

They don’t have to understand every word.

They don’t even have to decide that theatre is their favorite thing.

They just need the opportunity to experience it.

Because sometimes one show is all it takes to open a child’s imagination to an entirely new world.

At Cavod Performing Arts, we are grateful for our thriving community theatre program and we are especially grateful for the families who fill our seats. We hope your next theatre experience gives your child something to dream about, something to talk about, and maybe even a new favorite song…

And don’t be surprised if you find yourself driving home with the soundtrack playing on repeat!

We hope to see you at the theatre!