This month, Pollyanna Theatre is opening All Aboard–An Interactive Theatre Experience for Very Young Children by Bethany Lynn Corey.

Do you have a child and a new sibling is on the way? How do you prepare your little one to welcome the new baby? “So many of our youngest audience members are a part of a growing family,” says director Judy Matetzschk-Campbell, “Many are welcoming a sibling into their environment and existing family dynamic. While they are still learning all about how the world works, a new baby is coming that will change the world they know. It is an exciting time and our play attempts to capture some of that excitement and anticipation.”

Davi teaching Flash how to ride bikes in All Aboard

About the Show

Specifically designed for children 2 – 4 years old, the 35 minute show will run at the Long Center from March 30 – April 8, 2017. Through characters, sound, music and motion, All Aboard by Bethany Lynn Corey teaches children about different modes of transportation and touches on the anticipation of welcoming a new sibling to the family. Everyone seems to be zooming around on wheels! But when Davi Boy meets Flash, The Traveler, she has a very hard time figuring out how to help Flash get home before a very important delivery. It is going to take a lot of imagination, trial and error, and help from the children in the audience to transport Flash to his destination.

Flash and Davi sailing in All Aboard

My four year old son loved the audience participation aspect of this show and loved being able to act out pedaling a bicycle, riding a train, flying an airplane, and singing Row Row Row Your Boat. I think everyone’s favorite part was when Flash teaches the kids his special dance at the end!

Everyone learning Flash’s dance

The actors were professional and fun and kept the kids engaged throughout the entire performance. I kept thinking what fun it would be to be one of the actors up there, with so many willing participants! The kids were all at that magical age where they still love to get up and do silly things. It was delightful to watch.

Play Information

Dates and Times: March 30, 31 and April 1, 4, 6, 7, 8 at 9:30 and 11:00 a.m. and April 5 at 10 a.m. and 12:45 a.m. Running time is 35 minutes.

Location: AT&T Conference Room in the Long Center for the Performing Arts, 701 W. Riverside Dr., Austin, TX  78704

Tickets: $6.50; discounts available for groups of 10 people or more, call (512) 743-7966 or email pollytheatre@gmail.com. Tickets may be purchased by calling (512) 743-7966 or online.

The production stars Bethany Harbaugh as Davi Boy and Trevor Seits as Flash, The Traveler with direction by Judy Matetzschk-Campbell, sound design by Andrew Perry, and set and props design by Chase Staggs.

In addition to public performances, All Aboard is also available for schools, daycare centers and camps throughout Central Texas.

Flash and Davi blasting off in a rocket

About Pollyanna Theatre Company

Pollyanna Theatre Company is the first to bring Theatre for the Very Young, a visual and physical style of performance intentionally designed for children under the age of 6, to the Central Texas region. Pollyanna is excited that their “Play and Play” series will be many children’s first exposure to a formal theatre experience. The leaders of Pollyanna hope that these productions are a great introduction to a childhood that is rich in audience experiences. The company provides a year-round program of seven professional theatre productions for children ages 18 months thru 12 years of age.

The founders of Pollyanna Theatre Company believe that theatre is a powerful teaching tool that speaks to people of all ages in a unique and powerful way through a variety of visual, aural, and emotional languages. Therefore, theatre should be a part of all general education from preschool through adulthood. Toward that end, The Pollyanna Theatre Company strives to work alongside educators to inspire, motivate, and teach audiences of all ages. Although the company’s primary focus is upon young audience members, the ensemble performs top quality theatrical productions that speak to and illuminate the human spirit and condition for all ages. www.pollyannatheatrecompany.org