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Children's Theater in KC

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Coterie Theatre

2450 Grand Blvd., Suite 144   

Kansas City, MO 64108           

816.474.6785                              


Folly Theater

300 W. 12th St.

Kansas City, MO 64105

816.842.5500


Theatre for Young America

Union Station

30 W. Pershing Rd., Suite 800

Kansas City, MO 64108

816.460.2083


JCCC Performing Arts Series

12345 College Blvd.,

Overland Park, KS 66210

913.469.4445

While it’s been said that “all the world’s a stage,” one would be remiss not to check out the rich theater life Kansas City has to offer! From musicals to dramas, comedies to tragedies, the stage provides a platform to express some of life’s biggest themes through artistic means. Children’s theater, more specifically, provides the younger crowd an opportunity to gain initial exposure to the arts, with the hope of educating, engaging and entertaining even the littlest audience members. Kids’ series are built with kids in mind, providing comic relief, banter with the audience and a slew of other silly surprises.

Hot Tips  

Before You Go

Check out the current series listings for kids’ theater in Kansas City and you’ll find that a broad variety of acts are hitting the stage. Several shows are based on popular children’s books, providing you the perfect opportunity to read with your child prior to attending a show. Ask your child how he imagines characters look and act, then come prepared to see the theater company’s portrayal of the same characters. Call ahead to see whether there will be any pre-shows, cast meet-and-greets or special presentations (pre- or post-show) and plan your time accordingly.

While You’re There

Now’s the perfect time to instruct your kids in some basic theater etiquette! Inform them that their participation in a show affects the actors’ (or musicians’) performances, as well as other members of the audience. Encourage them to listen carefully, laugh, respond when called and clap after the performance is done! The Coterie provides Viewer Guides within its playbills with additional information about each show, as well as online viewer guides that can be viewed before or after shows. And speaking of playbills- hold on to yours! They are perfect for getting cast autographs!

After You’ve Gone

Many kids wonder where they can sign up to be in a show after viewing just one. Fortunately, they’re in luck! Coterie Theater and Theatre for Young America offer workshops and classes to train budding stars and starlets. Local organizations such as the Culture House are specifically geared toward training youth in theater, art and music, as well.  Have a wallflower?  Encourage your theater lover to put on his own show at home with friends or siblings, complete with concessions and homemade playbills.

Lauren Greenlee is currently reading through the Little House on the Prairie series with her two boys in preparation to see the Laura Ingalls Wilder show at the Folly. She writes from her home in Olathe.

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