Presenting "KIDding Around!"  and their show "TheaterMakers"
geared to ages 5 - 11 -- scroll down for video and testimonials 

  Sharing creativity and life lessons with kids through improv and theater!

contact info       PDF brochure

Our two-actor grade school program "TheaterMakers" debuted to high praise from both teachers and administrators -- not to mention some very exuberant kids!  The program, endorsed by San Diego Parent magazine and listed in the San Diego Unified book of VAPA-approved assemblies, is also available for non-school groups (such as parties or religious organizations) .

We start with a fun little scripted play that allows us to reinforce how, even in theater, we're telling stories with beginning-middle-end, setting, conflict, etc, so we're supporting literacy concepts on the big stage.  We then introduce improvisation to the students -- a great way to encourage imagination and storytelling.  The children get to control the action on stage; it's a rare treat for youngsters to be able encouraged to control adults!

Then we get several of them up playing with us in a theater adventure (involving a king or queen, a wizard, and a quest).  The scene is created before their very eyes and they get some say in where the story goes.

We use this story to show how the queen made better choices by using her words than the wizard, who tries to use force.  This is our transition to "The Four Steps to Non-Violent Communication" (adapted with permission from the Center for Non-Violent Communication). This clever technique can be used by anyone to express feelings and make a request in a respectful, productive way.

Through these outrageously humorous shows, we introduce elements of theater, creativity, literacy, and storytelling with an underlying theme of creative conflict resolution and considerate communication.  Such a valuable addition to every school's enrichment program! 

This program was developed by the Institute for Arts Education to teach young people to express their feelings through thoughtful words rather than emotional reactions, planting the seeds for a generation that chooses coping over aggression.


If your needs are purely for entertainment and you would like the show without the thoughtful message, "KIDding Around!"  can do that, too, with our improv show "KIDding Around with kids".    Through both demonstrated and interactive improvisation, "KIDding Around with kids" can be a great source of fun for your children's party or event!   
 

But we encourage you to consider "TheaterMakers"  too -- it is designed to be laughs throughout the learning.

For more information on how you can bring "KIDding Around!" to your birthday party, community event, or other young audiences, contact your booking agent today!

 

"TheaterMakers delivered a meaningful and child-friendly performance complete with intrigue, comedy, music and interactive audience participation...

...our students of all ages learned how to tell a story using theater, theater terms, improvisation and conflict resolution strategies with the 'Four Magic Steps.'  

Weeks later, our students continued to refer to the 'Four Magic Steps' to communicate with each other and resolve potentially problematic situations. "   
        -- Krista Hahn, psychologist, 
            Creekside Elementary School in Poway, Calif.		    "You guys
    are too funny!"

    -- a qualified nine-year-old
             theater critic.

 

 

A couple of notes before you watch the video:

 

1)  The audience for this particular show was K-3.  The show content is the same for 4-6,
          but we address them differently so that it works for the older groups as well.

2)  The first half of the show focuses on theater, literacy, and storytelling.  It is in the second
          half that we transition into the Four Steps to Non-Violent Communication.

3)   Yes, Laura's brand new black shirt shrunk when she washed it the night before. 
          She replaced it right after this show.  ☺

4)   It's hard to capture 40 minutes of fun in an 8 minute video, but we hope this will give
          you an idea of how much fun and learning is in the show.  Call for more info!

 

Note:  If the video streaming below doesn't work on your system, there's another way

to see the video by clicking here.

 

One of our many testimonial letters is to the right (from a San Diego Unified school)   ====================>
We have been well-received around the district and in:

POWAY   
NATIONAL CITY
ENCINITAS
DEL MAR
SAN YSIDRO
SPRING VALLEY
JAMUL
 

For more information on how you can bring
"KIDding Around!" and the TheaterMakers
program to your young audience,
email or call IMPROVentures at (619) 542-0761