Hey moms, a while back (possibly even a year or more) someone posted (possibly the ever resourceful Riley J.) about attending a dress rehearsal for events rather than the actual performance. I can't seem to remember who posted it or where to find the info. This seems like an outstanding idea on so many different levels; saving $ (I'm still willing to pay, just less), not disturbing other patrons in the event that the kiddo has a melt down, experiencing theather and hopefully creating a love of the performing arts in our kids. You get the idea....anyway, the question is: how do I go about finding out if that is even an option? Do I call the company that is putting on the performance or the venue where it will take place? Where will I have the most success?
One in particular I'm looking @ is STOMP. I've been to two of their performances & loved it! I really think my kids would like it too but it may be too loud & I'm really not willing to shell out $50.00 a ticket for a 3 & 6 year old to go see it. I'm also interested in local ballet productions but again, for the reasons stated above I think a dress rehearsal would be a better option. Anyway, if you guys know how to find out please share your knowledge :-) Thanks much
When I was little we ALWAYS went to the dress rehersal/tech rehersals for San Francisco Ballet. Just call the theater and ask about it. Be prepared that it IS a rehersal, and they will stop and give direction if things don't go right, so you won't get the seamless feeling of the real performance but it's still very fun.
HTH
T.
Three and six year olds? If you want them to see "Stomp," take them instead to shows at a local high school, middle school or dance school that is doing a hip-hop or modern dance recital! Much cheaper and at three and six, frankly, your kids won't know they didn't see "Stomp" (except there likely will be no garbage can lids used for percussion....)
For cost-friendly, kid-friendly performances, dont' look just to professional troupes but turn to your many local dance schools of all types, local drama schools, high school drama departments, local children's theatres (either performances BY children or by adults FOR children) -- they are all out there and are much less expensive than going to "professional" stage shows. Also, when you attend these shows, your money is going to help that school or non-profit local kids' theatre -- and it's much needed at all of them. These groups are very tolerant of kids who might have to be taken out for a time or who have shorter attention spans. If it's dance you want to show your kids, there are surely many, many dance schools in Colorado Springs doing performances all through the year that are open to the public.
As for dress rehearsals, yes, do call and ask, but don't be surprised if some or even most places say no. They do often reserve the dress rehearsals for invited audiences of family, friends or patrons, or keep rehearsals closed because frankly the big, successful shows know they can fill every seat at full price in the regular performances. Meanwhile, do try local and school dance and theatre -- you will be amazed at how good the performances are!!
Take your kids to everything you can -- LIVE performing arts are terrific for kids. My daughter has gone to lots of plays, concerts, and dance shows since she was about two, and now dances five D. a week and is in rehearsals for her sixth "Nutcracker." While it doesn't always create a dancer or actor, seeing live shows does teach a child to appreciate the arts so very much and gives them great pleasure -- and it's far better than TV or movies!
I would call the company putting on the performance and ask to speak to their public relations department. From dealing with productions in the past I know that's the office that we referred requests to and who handled them. I also know they sometimes invite a particular audience to dress rehearsals, so perhaps they would have you then contact someone else, but they should be able to steer you in the right direction.
Call the venue that you want to see a dress rehearsal. They will tell you whether or not they provide that service.
It never hurts to call and as the companies putting on the shows. I mean the worst thing they can do is say no. If you know where the performance is being held then call that place. OR call the production company.
High school performances are awesome, and very reasonable in price. Like others mentioned below. When I was in second or third grade we were in the high school play as well, it was so much fun to get to be apart of, and in my older years go and watch the plays.
About a year ago we watch with our then 5 and 2.5 year, Stomp on DVD. They loved it, the good part about this, is we were able to pause for bathroom breaks, snack breaks.
My kids do well at the movies, out to dinner, but at almost 4 and 6.5 I'm not sure we could make it.
I love this idea! Let us know how it works for you. A group of us just went to see a Broadway show in Pre production. It was the same as the actual performance and I dont know why it is called pre production. It was great!
Professional companies don't usually offer the chance to attend dress rehearsals, but community theaters often do.
Our community theater has pay-what-you-can night, which is a dress rehearsal two nights before opening. That close to opening night, a dress rehearsal is run just like a real performance - the whole show, all the way through with all the effects, and including intermission.
Interesting idea, but I don't know how you'd find out. We usually take kids to matinees. SD saw STOMP when she was...I want to say 11 or so and it was pretty long even for her.
My DD has been to a couple of SD's HS performances and we go to events at the library or community center (often free). I think school performances can be a good middle ground for little kids and some are geared for kids. That would be a good way to introduce them to live shows, IMO. I was very impressed with SD's school's performance last night, but not really surprised. They have a big theatre department and usually do a very good job. And the price is right, especially for a family. If the kids see other "kids" doing shows, they might realize they can do it some day, too.
It can't hurt to call the company or the venue! It depends on either or both of them. (I'm from the Springs, too, and I don't know what the policy of that venue is.) The worst they can do with your request is roll on the floor laughing. And they might (on the other hand) be happy to have you there. You won't be the first person to have asked.
In general (that is, if the rehearsal isn't open), if you want to take your children to a show, you must expect to pay the money. My concern would be whether we got to *see* the show we paid for (keep reading), and whether my children would disturb the other patrons. However, lots of parents and grandparents take children to matinees. Most professional companies expect that for matinees the audience will contain more children and older people (who don't drive at night).
If I were going to STOMP I'd take the six-year-old and sit in the balcony; I don't know if I'd take the three-year-old. I took a three-year-old granddaughter to a movie in town once and she had more fun going to the restroom and looking at the lobby than seeing the movie (I think the big screen was intimidating to her). Another time I took a granddaughter who was older than that to a professional puppet performance. It was beautifully done, but it was scary, and she asked - politely - if she could go home. The ticket money went down the drain... but that's what happens sometimes.
Now I'm feeling a little jealous around the edges. I'd like to see Stomp, too.
I started taking my children and grandchildren to the ballet at three years of age. Matinee performances and they were spell bound.
I never hesitated to spend the money to help them to become cultured. I also took them to Europe with me at early ages.
