Theatre for the Whole Family in the Northern Virginia Area

Northern Virginia is full of great learning experiences for children. Since children learn through acting and repetition, squeeze some theater into your daily routine.

By Editorial • Posted March 7, 2014 at 2:29 p.m.

Courtesy of Mount Vernon Community Children's Theatre (Perfoming 'Much Ado About Nothing' in February 2014)

By Shelby Robinson

Theater is a great way to inspire learning and get involved. With so many theaters to choose from in the Northern Virginia area, you can find exactly what your family wants.

Mount Vernon Community Children’s Theatre

MVCCT is performing Once Upon A Mattress throughout March. MVCCT specializes in theatrical performances that are by kids and for kids. They also offer camps and afterschool programs. 1900 Elkin St., Alexandria. (703) 360-0686/ mvcct.org

Imagination Stage

Although Imagination Stage is all the way in Bethesda, they offer shows designed to encourage the development of infants and toddlers, which is unique to the other theaters in the area. They also offer 6-week spring classes beginning Mar. 15, and a wide variety of camps and shows. 4908 Auburn Avenue Bethesda, MD. (301) 961-6060 (info), (301) 280-1660 (box office)/ imaginationstage.org

Encore Stage and Studio

Encore Stage Theatre and Studio — Encore Stage's Theatre Ninjas class teaches 4th and 5th grade actors on-stage combat. Photo courtesy of Encore Stage

Encore Stage will be showing The Secret Case of Sherlock Holmes soon and will also be hosting a spring break camp Apr. 14-18. Encore also shows plays and musicals for kids with kid actors. They offer a wide variety of summer camps, classes, private voice and piano lessons, auditions for upcoming shows, and Musical Theatre Intensive, which is a more challenging class to build singing and dancing skills. Located in the Thomas Jefferson Community Theatre, 125 S. Old Glebe Road Arlington, (703) 54 –1154/ encorestageva.org

Creative Cauldron

Creative Cauldron has an upcoming performance of Alice in Wonderland, March 14 – April 6. They offer “Passport Performances,” a unique opportunity to see the music and dances of other countries and cultures. Creative Cauldron also hosts workshops and camps for kids and young adults who want to improve their acting skills. Because Creative Cauldron shares its location with Falls Church Arts, the FCA Gallery is also on site. 410 South Maple Ave, Falls Church, (703) 436–9948/ creativecauldron.org

Other Children’s Theaters include:

– City of Fairfax Theatre Company

– Dodgeball Theatre

– Fauquier Community Theatre

– The Flying Muskrat Theatre Company

– The Sterling Playmakers