Children’s
Theatre
Theatre for Kids,
by Kids!
Fairyland’s Children’s Theatre program has given kids ages 8-11 the chance to imagine, play, and bring fairy tales to life on stage. It’s theatre for kids, by kids, that fosters creativity, confidence, and a lifelong love of storytelling. Through auditions, rehearsals, and performances, aspiring young thespians develop skills, courage, and friendships that last far beyond the stage.
Applications are closed for 2025, and shows have begun! We encourage interested families to see a performance this year and learn more about the application process for the next season.
This Year’s Show
Children’s Theatre Presents: “Teddy Bear’s Picnic”
Based on the classic song and storybook, “Teddy Bear’s Picnic” is an interactive show telling the tale of all the little teddy bears who gather in their secret lair for a cozy picnic.
Fairyland’s blossoming actors gather in the Teddy Bear picnic area and create a (literally) moving performance full of audience participation. As the parade meanders through the park, the actors invite families to join in the fun, sing along, and hop in line, leading your little ones in an interactive show that ends at a secret Teddy Bear party spot.
Showtimes:
- Saturday, July 26, 2025
- Saturday, August 16, 2025
- Monday, September 1, 2025
11:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.
The History of Children’s Theatre
Children’s Theatre began in 1960 as the Fairyland Storybook Personalities program, created by Burton Weber. Kids performed and interacted with guests as fairytale characters in the park and at community events. In 2008, the program became Children’s Theatre, focusing on theatrical interpretations of global folklore, continuing a beloved tradition that inspires generations of young performers.
The Audition Process
How it works
Applications for the 2026 performance season will open in February 2026. Scholarship applications for 2026 will be available starting November 2025 and can be submitted up until the application process closes.
After applications are submitted, kids will be invited to auditions in early Spring 2025. Each applicant should prepare a three-minute showcase of their talents for the audition.
Auditions should include:
- An introduction: Say your name in a loud, clear voice, and tell us what you’ll be presenting for your audition.
- A memorized monologue, speech, poem, or other text.
- A bit of song: We’re happy to hear songs with recorded accompaniment (please bring your own device to play the music on), but acapella is also fine.
- You can also show us a bit of yourself dancing, or playing an instrument, or any other performance skills you would like to share.
Following the audition, we will conduct informal interviews with participants and their families.
Your child doesn’t need any experience! Our artistic and education staff will make selections and casting decisions based not only on stage presence and vocal quality but also on enthusiasm, ability to focus, and desire to commit to the program.
More Children’s Theatre Information
Time Commitmment
A Fairyland Performer must attend all scheduled rehearsals, performances, and official Fairyland events. While we understand that last minute things occur, we rely on our families to communicate those conflicts in advance.
While we understand that our students are involved in many afterschool programs and activities, we also recommend that you take a serious look at your student’s schedule to make sure this program will fit into your lives. Overstressed, busy children can burn out just like adults!
Rehearsal calendars will be sent out upon casting. Each child in the Children’s Theatre Program must attend all rehearsal weekends that they are scheduled for in March, April, and May. They will perform every three weekends, not including holidays, from June through September. There is also an optional holiday pageant that students can participate in from late October-December!
Parent Commitment
Parents are also part of the Children’s Theatre Program. As the parent of a Fairyland performer, you are responsible for:
- Paying a production fee to cover costs including costumes (which belong to your child) and photo documentation of the show, and the cost of our teaching artists.
- Bringing your child to all rehearsals, performances, and events;
- Acting as a chaperone at parades or other official events;
- Attending regular Children’s Theatre meetings
Actor Code of Conduct
If cast in a production with Children’s Fairyland, we expect our students to behave with kindness towards all cast members and employees of the park. Students will be respectful to all guests, employees, and Fairyland property.
No bullying will be tolerated. If a student is found to have bullied someone, their guardian will be called immediately and they will be asked to leave the cast. No refunds will be given in the event that this occurs.
Costume Care
If cast in a production, your child will be fitted for and be given a costume that is appropriate for their character. Costumes are created by a professional costume designer and paid for by your participation fee. Once your child’s costume is given to you, it is yours to keep! With that comes some responsibility:
- Please wash your child’s costume after every performance weekend. Sweat, spills, and dirt happen at Fairyland and we need our performers looking their best for each performance.
- Rips and tares happen, too! If you cannot repair your child’s costume at home, please let our Theatre Director know immediately.
- Sizes change and students grow. While we always create costumes that are a size up to account for the growth that students go through over the course of our program, sometimes students go through large growth spurts that might call for adjustments to be made to their costume. Let us know if you think your child is rapidly outgrowing their costume.
- No costume alterations can be made without director approval. Please do not drastically change your child’s costume. They are created specifically for their character. If drastic changes are made, the parent is solely responsible for procuring the child a new approved costume.
Scholarships
Fairyland is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion. We are committed to ensuring that our youth programs are accessible and affordable for all families. Our scholarship program is designed to support families in need who have children/young people wanting to participate in our Children’s Theatre and Summer Day Camp. There is a short application process required. Eligible families will receive up to 70% reduced fees for Summer Camp and 100% scholarship for Children’s Theatre.
How it Works
- Scholarship applications for the 2026 season will open in November 2025
- Submit a scholarship application.
- Please allow 3-weeks of processing time.
- You will receive the decision via email 3-weeks from the date of your application.
- The request to sign up for an audition opens in February 2026. You may audition first and then apply for a scholarship.
- Once accepted, and you confirm that your child is interested in participating in Children’s Theatre, we will invoice you according to the approved amount. Typically, the amount is 50% or 100% (no fee).