The Play's the Thing
8 Great Places to See Summer Theater With Kids in LA
Broadway gets all the love, but did you know that Los Angeles produces more individual theater productions and plays each year than New York City? They call us Tinseltown for the movies, but you gotta stay limber between big-budget productions, so LA’s massive community of writers (hi!), actors, directors, and everyone in between come together to host over a thousand plays per year.
With everyone out of school for at least another week or so, I figured catching a live performance with a picnic in tow might be a great way to say goodbye to these slightly too sunny days and breezy nights before the homework crunch begins again. Here are a few of our favorite spots in LA to do just that:
Chicken Little Shop of Horrors at Occidental College
The folks at Occidental have been putting on outdoor theater since I was a child, performing outdoors without props, sets, or costumes. It’s funny, it’s short (an hour, tops!), and it’s inspiring. A great reminder that all you need is imagination to put on a show.
The Two Gentlebots of Verona at The Actor’s Gang
The Actor’s Gang is one of LA’s oldest and best-established independent theater groups, and when it comes to summer theater, they’re ready to pull out all the stops. This year’s production is a brief, kid-friendly take on a Shakespeare classic, with a few musical theater moments to really amp up the younger crowd.
The Comedy of Errors at The Old Zoo from The Independent Shakespeare Company
While not strictly designed for children like the Gentlebots of Verona, audience members of all ages are welcome at LA’s annual free Shakespeare in the Park. Perfect for tweens and teens, this season’s performance of a lighthearted company is a great way to introduce young ones to The Bard.
Treasure Island at Theatricum Botanicum
Catching a play at Theatricum Botanicum seems destined to become a core childhood memory. Tucked away in Topanga, their outdoor theater feels so magical, transporting you to another world. This season, that world is an uproarious performance of Treasure Island, or swing by every weekend for the organization’s popular Family Fun Day performances.
Cinderella at The Santa Monica Playhouse
Calling all princesses! his production of everyone’s favorite rags-to-riches story sounds like a certified good time. A silly reimagining of the classic fairytale, it’s a feel-good production designed to be enjoyed by the young and young at heart.
Choo Choo Review at Bob Baker Marionette Theater
You know I love Bob Baker Marionettes, and this season’s play is their first original performance in forty years! Take an imaginary journey by rail, meet new puppets, and head across the street after the performance for a fun recreation at the wonderful shady York Park.
Aquaprofunda at the Long Beach Opera
It’s only running for one more weekend, but this experimental children’s opera in Long Beach sounds so cool I had to give it a shout out. Hot on the heels of LA Opera’s BambinO, it’s a rare chance to immerse your little ones in the rarified world of opera.
LA Soundscapes Family Concerts at The Ford
The Ford’s family concert series is awesome because it starts with a pre-concert activity and participatory artmaking, before transitioning into a daytime performance designed for kiddos ages 3–11. Even better, every full-priced adult ticket purchase comes with up to two free tickets for kids 12 and under.
What’s Happening This Weekend?
Thursday, July 6th
My family and I attended the last Sounds of LA County show at City View Terrace, and it may be one of the best events I attended this summer. Picture this: a playground, a splash pad, bounce houses, free tacos and pizza, and neighbors of all ages lounging under buzzing stadium lights. Idyllic in the extreme.
Or hit the dance floor at Sizzling Summer Nights at the Autry, where you can learn some salsa basics before spinning beneath the stars.
For the classical kids, Colburn School and Grand Avenue Arts are collaborating on a Classical X DTLA Art Night celebrating the work of overlooked classical composers.
Friday, July 7th
Kick off the weekend with an all-ages afternoon skate at Moonlight Roller Rink, where you can bring the roller skates you impulse bought during the pandemic (just me?) and show off your moves.
Saturday, July 8th
The musical magic continues on Saturday with Mundo Maya Day at the Levitt Pavilion, a free community celebration honoring the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples. There will be live music, cultural activities including a presentation of a pre-Hispanic Mesoamerican ball game, and a back-to-school backpack giveaway.
Or take in music with a view at this week’s Garden Concerts for Kids at the Getty. With joyful bilingual tunes from Grammy and Latin Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter Flor Bromley, the show pairs perfectly with a day full of artistic exploration.
If you’ve got a budding poet in the family, the WriteGirl Neighborhood Workshop at the Wende is a must. Teen girls and gender-expansive teens ages 13–18 are invited to join a free workshop where they learn to unlock the magic of words.
Sunday, July 9th
Ok, two events at the Wende in one weekend is a lot, but how cute is this Illustrating Children’s Books class? Teacher Stephanie Lunkewitz will show students over the age of 11 how to create fantastic literary worlds of their own.
For something a little more low-key, how about a game of Exquisite Corpse in the Park? Elysian Park to be precise, where you’ll kick off with a sound bath and journaling session before creating collaborative wacky creatures with the group.
Or go big at Los Angeles Historic Park with the fifth annual LA River Fest. Celebrate the culture, people, and history of the river with live music and booths to explore.