Yum! Family Series Program and Stage One Family Theatre will kick off the 65th season of theater for young audiences at the Bomhard Theater, The Kentucky Center for the Performing Arts.
Stage One, the oldest theater in Louisville, began in 1946 as "The Louisville Children's Theatre", presenting at the Women's Club. After working in various spaces including UofL, Spalding College, and St. Frances of Rome, Louisville Children's Theatre made its permanent home the Moritz Von Bomhard Theater in the Kentucky Center for the performing arts, specifically designed to be used by young audiences. By 1980, the name was changed to Stage One: The Louisville Children's Theater and became an Equity theater of professional actors and administrators under the guidance of Dr. Moses Goldberg.
Over the next 25 years, Stage One presented live theater in the Bomhard Theater and toured various productions in places like Moscow and New York City, making Stage One one of the top professional theaters for young audiences in the country. A leader in new works, Stage One has world premiered over 10 plays for young audiences including The Great Gilly Hopkins, John Lennon and Me, Trials: The Life of Joan of Arc, and Brothers of a Common Country: A Story of Abraham Lincoln.
Today, Stage One is a national leader in theater for young audiences, as well as an innovator in new educational programming. In 2001, Stage One launched the environmental studies program "Eco-Drama", a four day residency free to every 3rd grade class in Jefferson County, teaching students how to become better stewards of the environment through dramatic play. In 2010, Stage One launched a new underwriting program, Play it Forward, offsetting the cost for teachers and students to attend live theater by securing corporate sponsorships for grades K-1, 5 and 6. In its first year, Play it Forward provided underwriting for 40,000 students, and plans to provide underwriting to 80,000 students in 2011-2012.
And on the stage this 65th season, Stage One is pleased to present excitement and fun for the whole family, with the titles Ferdinand the Bull, The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, Number the Stars, and Lyle the Crocodile.
Ferdinand the Bull - October 15 & 22 (Additional show: September 24, The Ogle Center, IUS Campus, New Albany)
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever - November 26, December 3, 10, & 19
Number the Stars - February 19
Lyle the Crocodile - April 14 and May 12
Season tickets for Stage One start at $22. Call 502-498-2436 for subscription purchase. Single tickets on sale now. To purchase tickets, or to get exact times, visit www.KentuckyCenter.org, or call 502.584.7777, 800.775.7777, 502.562.0730 (TTY). Group discounts are also available.
Stage One is a member of the Greater Louisville Fund for the Arts. The Kentucky Arts Council, the state arts agency, supports Stage One Children's Theatre with state tax dollars and federal funding from the National Endowment for the Arts, who believes a great nation deserves great art. Stage One's season is sponsored by YUM! Family Series Program.
Videos