The EQT Children’s Theater Festival, May 17-19: Seven Sensational Shows Let You Travel the World Without Ever Leaving the Cultural District!
Kids & teens of all ages can discover stories of freedom and friendship in the multimedia production Leonardo! A Wonderful Show About a Terrible Monster* and contemplative Finding North*, or travel far away as projections & imagination unite in South Korean company Brush Theatre’s Poli Pop!
And in Sunjata Kamalenya, based on the original tale of the Lion King, if you’re in the room…you’re in the show! Prowl, cheer and prevail in this immersive story set in 13th century Mali.
Ready for a gentler adventure? Join Phoebe the Gardner and “grow small” in sensory-friendly production Frolic*, or enjoy the breezes and poetic voyages of Waves, All That Glows Sees.
No matter your journey, no matter your age, there’s a show fit for you in the EQT Children’s Theater Festival! And the most magical part of it all? Tickets begin at just $10! Visit TrustArts.org/CTF to buy featured show tickets and learn more about FREE onsite activities on Saturday & Sunday including crafts, storytime, character meet & greets, and more. *Sensory-friendly performance(s) available!
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Leonardo! A Wonderful Show About a Terrible Monster
Byham Theater
May 17-19 @ 10 am ; May 19 @ 3:30 pm
When the unscary monster Leonardo finds Sam, the most scaredy-cat kid in the world, will he finally get to scare the tuna salad out of someone or will it be the start of an unlikely friendship? Watch it unfold as colorful puppets & props bring the work of Mo Willems to life. Manual Cinema (USA). Ages 3+. Sensory-friendly performance: May 19 @ 3:30 pm. Part of the Cultural Trust’s Children’s Theater Series.
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August Wilson African American Cultural Center
May 17 @ 10 am ; May 18 & 19 @ 1 pm
Celebrate the spirit of determination and the love of family despite impossible odds in this participative tale based on the beloved story of the Lion King. Guided by a storyteller, audiences are whisked away to 13th-century Mali as traditional music, costumes, and scenery chronicle the story of a boy destined to be the leader of the West African Mande peoples. Experiential Theater Company (USA). Ages 5+.
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Highmark Theatre at Point Park University’s Pittsburgh Playhouse
May 17 @ 10 am; May 18 @ 3 pm; May 19 @ 10:30 am
The strivings, sacrifices, and dreams of former enslaved man John P. Parker are brought to life in this one-person performance by Daniel Carlton. Drawing on historical research and oral history, Parker’s stories blend with other contemporary community members searching for haven, captivating the audience with conversations of prejudice, privilege, and freedom in America. David Gonzalez and Daniel Carlton (USA). Ages 7+. Sensory-friendly performance: May 19 @ 10:30 am. Part of the Cultural Trust’s Bridge Theater Series.
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PNC Theatre at Point Park University's Pittsburgh Playhouse
May 17 @ 10:30 am; May 18 & 19 @ 11:30 am
Siblings Poli and Pola don't want to go to sleep. While playing with toys to compete for the leader of the room, imagination takes over, and they embark on a surreal and colorful journey of surprise and joy through faraway islands, roaring seas, busy cities, and more. But what they don't know is something lurking in the shadows...what will they do? Brush Theatre (South Korea). Ages 3+.
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Trust Arts Education Center
May 17-19 @ 10 am, 1 pm, & 4 pm
Psst… have you heard? The bloom is back — it’s time to play! Frolic is meant to spark fun in a sensory-friendly space created for and with neurodivergent audiences ages 5 and up and their families. Grow small with Phoebe the Gardner and her pal Lionel the Glow Worm as they travel from her backyard oasis to a magical garden. Trusty Sidekick Theater Company, in partnership with Jumping Jack Theater and Omaha's Rose Theater (USA). Ages 5+ and neurodivergent audiences. All performances are sensory-friendly. Due to a very limited capacity, tickets for Frolic will be available on a first-come first-served inquiry basis to ensure those who may benefit most from this show receive access.
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Trust Arts Education Center
May 17 @ 10 am; May 18 & 19 @ 10:30 am, 1 pm, & 4 pm
Follow a little pathway of shells and stones around a giant tent made of sheets. You can hear someone playing a harmonica. People may be already inside the tent. They want you to come and see, so you go in. When you’re inside the tent, it’s enjoyable. It’s warm, but there’s a tiny breeze. A little melody makes your heart beat more calmly. The light is gentle, like that of the setting sun. Inside, a tall man is dreaming of the sea. He makes sand appear, then turtles, seagulls, fish, dune grass, the sky, boats, and time that passes. The man plays at hiding in the depths of the water. He becomes a treasure that waits. And waits. And waits for you. Beside him, another tall man makes music and lets his voice float over the ocean. To wait is to hope, and this happens often. It happens all the time, to little kids and to grown-ups, too. Le Theatre des Confettis (Canada). Ages 18 months through 4 years.
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Mr. Messado’s School of Magic for the Young and Young at Heart
Liberty Magic
May 17 & 18 @ 11 am; May 19 @ 11 am & 2 pm
Forget everything you know about magicians pulling rabbits out of top hats. Mr. Messado’s Magic School for the Young and Young at Heart will have both teens and adults amazed from start to finish. This 60-minute spectacular, featuring a combination of stunning magic and clean comedy, is full of interactive wonder. Whether it be shouting the magic words from the comfort of your seats or coming up on stage to be trained as a magical assistant, every party member will actively participate throughout the show. Part of the Cultural Trust’s Liberty Magic Series.
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