CTC's THE BIGGEST LITTLE HOUSE IN THE FOREST to Delight Toddlers, Beginning 2/3

There's always room for one more in Children's Theatre Company's production of The Biggest Little House in the Forest, a play specially designed for children ages 2 through 5, opening February 3 through March 15, 2015.

When Bernice the Butterfly finds an abandoned house in the woods, she sets out to make it her home. Soon she is joined by Millie the Mouse, Fred the Frog and many other forest creatures. Like other CTC preschool productions, this performance was crafted to foster growth and gains in imaginative play, creative problem-solving, expressive language, and social-emotional intelligence. This production captivated audiences three years ago when it debuted and is directed by Peter C. Brosius.

The experience begins upon arrival in the lobby with a range of activities which include board books for reading and playing I Spy. The show opens when CTC Company Member Autumn Ness guides the audiences from the lobby to a magical forest full of animals and imagination. A young audience is different for Autumn Ness as well. She explains, "The level of involvement is unlike anything I've experienced as an actor -- telling the characters where to go, what to do, even what they had for breakfast that morning. Things that the 'proper, polite, seasoned' theatre-going audience have accepted, they won't stand for. For instance, if there is music playing, we should be dancing! If something important in happening, we must go get a closer look! And for heaven's sake, if bubbles come your way, catch them! I have been able to perform this show at our theatre, in schools across the state, and even at the Star Studio located in The Children's Hospital for both the Minneapolis/St. Paul campuses. And the show has never been the same twice in a row!"

CTC has been a leader in the country for early childhood initiatives in the arts. Artistic Director, Peter C. Brosius states, "There exists solid research on the impact early introduction to the arts plays on children later when they enter their elementary school years. For many, access to these early arts experiences were simply not there. We understand that we have a role to play in helping establish this solid foundation for children so they can reach their maximum potential." Recently, CTC's dedication to providing arts experience for early learners was profiled in an editorial in the Star Tribune.

Because of the organization's commitment to providing equitable access to the arts from an early start, CTC is sharing high quality arts experiences with The Biggest Little House in the Forest. Community serving organizations and early learning programs are invited to three free performances this March. Following those performances, there will be a local tour to 7-8 sites -- the majority of which will be fully subsidized and free.

The Biggest Little House in the Forest runs Feb 3 - March 15, 2015 on the Cargill Stage. As part of CTC's commitment to programming for ages two through eighteen, The Biggest Little House in the Forest is recommended for toddlers age two and up. For more information visit us online at childrenstheatre.org or call the Ticket Office at 612.874.0400.

Children's Theatre Company (CTC) is the first theatre for young people to win the coveted Tony Award for Outstanding Regional Theater (2003). Founded in 1965, CTC serves nearly 250,000 people annually and is one of the 20 largest theater companies in the nation. The company is noted for defining a national standard for youth theatre with an innovative mix of classic tales, celebrated international productions and challenging new work. CTC celebrates 50 years in the 2015-2016 season.

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