EQT Children’s Festival to Offer Seven Shows for Youths in May
Presented by the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, children and teens can attend seven shows in May during this year’s EQT Children’s Theater Festival.
This Year’s Shows
“Leonardo! A Wonderful Show About a Terrible Monster” tells the story of the titular character, a monster who tries to be scary - but isn’t. When he meets Sam, a scaredy-cat kid, it’s his chance to finally scare someone. Or, it could be the start of an unlikely friendship. The show, based on Mo Williems’ book, uses hundreds of illustrated paper puppets, book pages, two-dimensional props, furry monster puppets, and songs.
“Poli Pop” is about two children who don’t want to go to sleep. They start competitively playing with toys in their bedroom, but their imaginations end up taking them on a surreal dreamlike journey. Technology and special effects transform the set from an empty room to faraway islands, the sea, the desert, and other places.
“Sunjata Kamalenya” is an interactive production during which audience members are encouraged to participate. It chronicles the struggles of a young boy destined to be the leader of the Mande’ people of West Africa. The story is based on “The Lion King.” The show features traditional music and costumes.
“Finding North” brings to life the story of John P. Parker, a former enslaved man who dedicated his life to helping enslaved people escape through the Underground Railroad in Ohio. Parker’s tale is woven together with interview material and oral histories. The performance tackles such subjects as prejudice, privilege, and human rights.
“Frolic” is meant to spark fun in a sensory-friendly space created for and with neurodivergent audiences, ages five and up and their families. The story follows Phoebe the Gardner and Lionel the Glow Worm as they travel from their backyard oasis to a magical garden. “Frolic” is an immersive experience of music, dance, puppetry, and play.
“Mr. Messado’s School of Magic for the Young and Young at Heart” is a show that is full of magic and comedy. Attendees will get to know the titular character as he engages them with magic words, interactive tricks, and memories.
“Waves, All That Glows Sees” takes place under a large tent where attendees will be seated on cushions. Audience members will then remove their shoes and follow a pathway of shells and stones that leads to a tall man who is dreaming of the sea and another who is making music.
More Details
Tickets for the show begin at $10. Visit the festival’s website for more information or to buy tickets. Free onsite activities at the festival include crafts, story time, character meet and greets, and more.
The festival runs from Friday, May 17 to Sunday, May 19.