In the summer, it seems like you can only surprise kids with something very loud—bright scenery, special effects, screens, and oversized puppets. The Jewish Museum and Tolerance Center Kids' Center decided to take a different approach and dedicated the summer to intimate performances.
This is the focus of the «Theater on the Palm» intimate performance festival. Imagine that a few minutes after the show begins, the actor asks the kids how the hero can get out of the forest. There are several answers right away. One boy suggests building a bridge, a girl in the front row is certain that they should call a whale, and someone advises simply walking forward. The actor does not interrupt anyone. He listens, asks new questions, and continues the story together with the children. This is roughly how these intimate performances are structured—the conversation with young audience members becomes part of the action.
«At this age, it is important for children to feel heard by adults and to have their ideas supported in their development, ” says Irina Dvoretskaya, Director of the Jewish Museum Kids Center. Therefore, the program includes performances where children have the opportunity not only to follow the story but also to influence it with their answers and questions, allowing them to fantasize.
After the performance, the conversation doesn’t end. On the way home, the kids recall their favorite characters, retell what they saw, ask new questions, and come up with their own continuations of the story. «The post-show dialogue is the main result for us. It is in these moments that an adult can uncover new qualities in their child, ” says Irina Dvoretskaya.
Until the end of summer, the festival will continue with several more performances:July 19, 1:00 PM «The Walrus, the Teacher, and the Poet, ” Taratumb Theater, Ages 6+July 26, 1:00 PM „The Happiest Octopus, ” Ruslan Volfson Theater, Ages 6+August 2, 12:30 PM „The Snail and the Whale, ” Olga Gulevich Clay Theater, Ages 3+August 9, 1:00 PM „The Scarlet Flower, ” Taratumb Theater, Ages 6+August 16, 1:00 PM „Tim’s Adventure in the World of Bacteria, ” Snark Theater, Ages 6+August 23, 12:30 PM „How the Notes Learned to Sing, ” Taratumb Theater, Ages 4+
