BALLOONACY Ignites a Lifelong Love of Live Theatre for Preschoolers

"Theatre for the Very Young", a genre of theatre that has been common in Europe and Australia for more than 25 years, is coming to Herndon at NextStop Theatre. In a new production, Balloonacy, adapted for the stage by Barry Kornhauser, kids aged 1 and up become an essential part of telling the story, engaged throughout the show by professional adult actors on stage.

A great introduction to Live Theatre, Balloonacy will be showing at NextStop Theatre on Saturdays and Sundays mornings at 10am, September 17 through October 9. The theatre is located inside the Sunset Business Park on Spring Street/Sunset Hills Road in Herndon (one block from Reston Target).

"We are very excited about creating an opportunity to be many small children's first experience with theatre," said Evan Hoffmann, NextStop's Producing Artistic Director. "I think it will be great when parents to talk to their kids about how going to see a play is different than going to a movie; how the actors are alive and right there with them; how that changes things--how can the kids affect the show when they laugh and clap."

For most children, the journey into imagination begins with books and with play. Live Theatre can be a great next step in growing a child's imagination. At Balloonacy, children will have the experience of living inside a story with others around them-a strong, living connection. That connected experience is one of the most effective ways in which kids can learn to empathize with the lives of others. Nowhere but Live Theatre can children see and hear so clearly another's voice, feel so strongly their feelings, and in turn begin to recognize themselves.

"My boys love coming to the theatre. We brought them over and started letting them watch rehearsals and performances as tiny little infants. And they understood that it was exciting and special. Kids just get it somehow!" said Hoffmann.

Balloonacy stars Amy Baska (appearing Saturdays) and Jaclyn Young (appearing Sundays), who co-direct the play together. The production team includes Max Frost as Production Stage Manager and Evan Hoffmann as Designer.

Advance tickets are recommended. More information and tickets are available at: www.NextStopTheatre.org or by calling OvationTix at 866-811-4111.

About NextStop Theatre Company:
"Floating" into it's fourth professional season, NextStop Theatre Company is just moments away from Historic Downtown Herndon, Dulles Airport, Reston Town Center, and the Wiehle-Reston Metro Station. The company has established a strong regional reputation for producing critically acclaimed productions and educational programs, while showcasing a wide array of local talent, Broadway headliners, and locally-driven arts relevant to the community.

NextStop Theatre is made possible in part by generous grants from: The Town of Herndon, The Ruth & Hal Launders Charitable Trust, The Nelson J. & Katherine Friant Post Foundation, The Community Foundation for Northern Virginia - Seeley Fund, The Arts Council Fairfax County, The Virginia Commission for the Arts, The National Endowment for the Arts, and NextStop's loyal patron donors.

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