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Best Theater For Kids In Detroit

Theater for young audiences comes in all sizes and shapes – from adult professional actors to shows starring cute, young thespians. But no matter what approach they take, each theater shares the same goal: to inspire young people to explore the world around them through the performing arts! Learn about some of best youth friendly theaters in Detroit including Children's Theatre Network, Mosaic Youth Theatre of Detroit among many others. – Donald V. Calamia, EncoreMichigan.com
Performance Network Theatre
(credit: performancenetwork.org)

Children's Theatre Network

Performs at Performance Network Theatre
120 East Huron St.
Ann Arbor, MI 48104
734-663-0681
www.performancenetwork.org

As one of Michigan's premier professional theaters, Performance Network believes in the ability of storytelling to change the world. Not only do fables and folk-tales communicate important messages to our children through vivid imagery and the powerful use of metaphor, they reinforce the importance of interpersonal communication. The Network believes that young audiences deserve to be treated with respect, which is why they employ professional actors and provide performances by independent artists that are of the highest quality and are guaranteed to engage and entertain young audiences. Consider bringing a Children's Theatre Network show to your school or to attend one of their monthly Saturday shows.

Mosaic Youth Theatre of Detroit
(credit: mosaicdetroit.org)

Mosaic Youth Theatre of Detroit

Performs at the Detroit Film Theatre at the Detroit Institute of Arts
5200 Woodward Ave.
Detroit, MI 48202
313-872-6910
www.mosaicdetroit.org

Mosaic Youth Theatre of Detroit is an internationally acclaimed youth development program that concentrates on helping young artists excel on stage and in life. Founded by Rick Sperling in 1992, Mosaic was born out of a need to fill the gaps in arts education in metro Detroit schools while providing an artistic home for young actors, singers and stage technicians. Each year more than 165 youth from over 50 different schools benefit from involvement in Mosaic's Youth Ensemble and Intermediate Training Programs. An additional 1,000 youth participate in Mosaic's First Stage programs within schools and community centers throughout metro Detroit. Through these training programs, Mosaic is developing talented young artists and new, diverse audiences for the performing arts.

Motor City Youth Theatre
(credit: mcyt.org)

Motor City Youth Theatre

Grantland Street Playhouse
27555 Grantland St.
Livonia, MI 48150
313-535-8962
www.mcyt.org

Motor City Youth Theatre trains a youth population ages 5 through 18, many of whose recreational needs are not often met through sports. The program offers a non-competitive environment where difference is respected. Motor City Youth Theatre offers all children, not just the wealthy or the gifted, a place where they can improve their speaking, reading, dance, music, artistic and life skills while expressing themselves and improving their self-concept of knowledge and theater. The activities help to develop a sense of fair play and camaraderie among its members while concentrating on the above skills in a relaxed and safe atmosphere.

PuppetART
(credit: puppetart.org)

PuppetART

25 East Grand River
Detroit, MI 48226
313-961-7777
www.puppetart.org

Founded in 1998 by a group of puppeteers and artists trained in the former Soviet Union, all members of the PuppetART troupe are masters of puppetry art theater. PuppetART offers a repertoire of eight productions, including one created for adult audiences. Performances feature hand, rod, shadow, floor tabletop and string or marionette puppets. All events at PuppetART combine a theater performance, a tour of the museum and a workshop in the studio. PuppetART has performances every Saturday at 2 p.m. Performance times range between 30 minutes to an hour long depending on the show.

Wild Swan Theater
(credit: wildswantheater.org)

Wild Swan Theater

Performs locally at Towsley Auditorium in the Morris Lawrence Building
Washtenaw Community College
4800 E Huron River Drive
Ann Arbor, MI 48105
734-995-0530
www.wildswantheater.org

Since 1980, rave reviews from young people, parents, teachers and the press have made Wild Swan Theater one of the most admired professional theaters for families in the nation, garnering praise for its ingenious artistry, its innovative audience accessibility program, and its projects for participants with disabilities. In addition to its many performances each year, Wild Swan Theater offers a wide variety of workshops for both teachers and students, youth drama camps and after-school programs. This theater is accessible to everyone including low income, minority and disabled children through low ticket prices and innovative outreach programs.

Other theaters to check out:

Ann Arbor Civic Theatre Junior Theatre

Performs at various venues throughout the area
Ann Arbor, MI 48104
734-971-0605
www.a2ct.org

Downriver Youth Performing Arts Center

Performs at the Trenton Village Theatre
2447 West Jefferson
Trenton, MI 48183
734-362-8153
www.dypac.com

Marquis Theatre

135 E. Main St.
Northville, MI 48167
248-349-8110
www.northvillemarquistheatre.com

Spotlight Players

Spotlight on Youth
Performs at The Village Theater at Cherry Hill
50400 Cherry Hill Rd.
Canton, MI 48187
734-480-4945
www.spotlightplayersmi.org

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