As winter sets in on Long Island, most families experience a decrease in the amount of outings they go on simply because of the cold weather and a lack of activities to do indoors. Seeing a live play, concert, or show at a local theater is a fun and enriching way to spend time with family. Children and adults alike can be exposed to, learn about, and enjoy various aspects of life that they wouldn’t have encountered otherwise: Cultures of foreign countries, music they’ve never heard, styles of dance they’ve never seen, and so on. Many theaters even have Children’s Theater programs, which strive to provide the same “theater experience” for younger children with shows that are driven toward their interests.
Time spent at live events has even been shown to be beneficial for children’s development. According to sciencedaily.com, studies show that trips to the theater improve kids’ understanding of plotlines when compared to watching the same story in the form of movie. Those who attend these performances also exhibit an increase in their ability to read the emotions of others, in turn increasing their capacity for empathy. Plus, your family will enjoy experiencing something fun and new together!
Your Local Kids has compiled a comprehensive list of local theaters and performing arts centers along with upcoming shows to make planning your family outing to the theater a breeze!
The Gateway | Performing Arts Center of Suffolk County
215 South Country Road
Bellport, NY 11713
The Performing Arts Center of Suffolk County strives to enrich a wide range of communities with quality theatrical experiences through diverse arts, entertainment and educational programs. We endeavor to serve these communities in a fiscally responsible manner, to provide affordable resources to schools and non-profit organizations, and to ensure the future of the theatrical arts in our region.
To see the full calendar of events at The Gateway, click here.
The Madison Theatre at Molloy College
1000 Hempstead Ave
Rockville Centre, NY 11571
516-323-4444
Our mission at Madison Theatre at Molloy College is to create a versatile, first-class facility that will offer a diverse range of world-class entertainment for the South Shore and greater Long Island region. Situated only 30 minutes from Manhattan, we will strive to be an incubator for creative development for the artistic community… We share in the College’s belief that artistic expression and appreciation is an important part of the development of the full person.
Staller Center for the Arts at Stony Brook University
100 Nicolls Road
Stony Brook, NY 11794
Located at SUNY Stony Brook, the Staller Center for the Arts boasts a prestigious and varietal line-up of performances to suit a wide array of tastes and preferences. Well over half of this venue’s support comes from private and corporate sponsors, much of which goes to funding for the amazing arts and education outreach they provide for the LI community.
1 Bay Street
Sag Harbor, NY 11963
Bay Street Theater & the Sag Harbor Center for The Arts is a year-round, not-for-profit professional theater and community cultural center which endeavors to innovate, educate, and entertain a diverse community through the practice of the performing arts. We serve as a social and cultural gathering place, an educational resource, and a home for a community of artists. Educational shows through Literature Live! for an older audience and Goat on a Boat Puppet Theatre for children are a staple at BST.
To see the full calendar of events at Bay Street Theater, click here.
Jeanne Rimsky Theater at Landmark on Main Street
232 Main Street, Suite 1
Port Washington, NY 11050
Landmark on Main Street is a not-for-profit community center that enhances the spirit and enriches the lives of the communities of Port Washington and surrounding regions. Our core values build the foundation for all we do: Engagement, Community, Enrichment, Excellence, & Welcoming. We look forward to welcoming you to our Community… Engaging with you and enriching your life by sharing Excellence in the arts! “Landmark Kids” is the organizations very own Children’s Theatre and offers many kid friendly shows.
To see the full calendar of events at Landmark on Main Street, click here.
625 Old Country Road
Plainview, NY 11803
Founded in 1995 by owner Bruce Grossman, the Cultural Arts Playhouse of Syosset and now Wantagh is a year round regional, off-off Broadway-style Theater that has produced over 500 productions including educational and touring shows. Named by Long Island Press as one of Long Island’s Best Live Theaters, the theater serves more than 20,000 people each year with its professional adult productions, and theater education classes for ages 7-18. CAP also Children’s Theater productions.
To see the full calendar of events at the Cultural Arts Playhouse, click here.
Merrick Theatre and Center for the Arts
2222 Hewlett Avenue
Merrick, NY 11566
The Merrick Theatre and Center for the Arts was organized for the benefit of members of the community to provide education, entertainment, and exposure to cultural experiences. The objective of the organization is to become a resource for both the residents and businesses of the greater Merrick area and to enrich the cultural depth and education of the community at large. Merrick Theatre strives to encourage community based cultural development and creative expression, as well as to provide entertainment for the community as a whole. This theater offers its own Children’s Theater performances.
To see the full calendar of events at the Merrick Theatre and Center for the Arts, click here.
Smithtown Center for the Performing Arts
2 East Main Street
Smithtown 11787
The Smithtown Center for the Performing Arts opened in October 2002 for the purpose of bringing high quality professional entertainment to Smithtown and the surrounding community and providing educational opportunities to the children of Long Island. Over 1500 performances consisting of approximately 80 different presentations have graced the stage. Over 250,000 patrons have passed through our doors. This theater offers its own Children’s Theater performances.
To see the full calendar of events at the Smithtown Center for the Performing Arts, click here.
141 S Wellwood Ave,
Lindenhurst, NY 11757
“We are one of Long Island’s oldest and finest theaters, and have been in operation for more than 50 years. We hope that Studio Theatre will run for another 50 years, but WE NEED YOUR HELP. In addition to ticket sales, your tax deductible donations help us to present first rate theatre for a discerning audience.”
To see the full calendar of events at the Studio Theatre Long Island, click here.
American Dance Theatre of Long Island
587 Middle Country Road
Bayport, NY
631-472-3455
“Our mission is to provide opportunities for the youth of our community to engage in all levels of dance. The American Dance Theatre of Long Island is positioned to provide expert training and education in the art of dance to children of all ages, from beginner through advanced levels. We offer the necessary training to our students that will develop their strength, artistic and technical abilities in the art form.
Our commitment to excellence in teaching and high quality dance education requires discipline and rigorous practice to achieve high goals of competence in technical and aesthetic aspects of dance. It is our mission to train the entire person in achievement with our attention to the students as individuals. As such, our students gain positive reinforcement of the ideals and work ethics of society at large.”
To see the full calendar of events at the American Dance Theatre of LI, click here.
The Arena Players Repertory Theatre Co.
180 Little Neck Road
Centerport, NY 11721
516-293-0674
Arena Players offers Children’s Theatre performances.
To see the full calendar of events at The Arena Players Repertory Theatre Co., click here.
The Minstrel Players
Trinity Episcopal Church in Northport
(631) 732-2926
The Minstrel Players were founded by Ray and Debbie Palen over 15 years ago. Originally based in Levittown, they made Trinity Episcopal Church their home for fifteen years. With the producing team of Tara Palen and Robert Cashman, they put on a series of critically acclaimed productions and created a wonderful base for local actors to thrive while providing top notch shows at an affordable price. In June of 2015, they moved to Florida to explore new opportunities and handed the reins to Evan Donnellan and Tricia Ieronimo-Buffolino, longtime Minstrel veterans. Tricia and Evan are honored to carry on the Minstrel name.
To see the full calendar of events at The Minstrel Players, INC., click here.
YMCA Boulton Center for the Performing Arts
37 West Main Street
Bay Shore, NY 11706
631-969-1101
The YMCA Boulton Center for the Performing Arts of the Great South Bay YMCA seeks to establish itself as a premier cultural institution on Long Island. The YMCA Boulton Center’s mission is to provide high quality arts programs that entertain, educate and inspire the culturally, racially and economically diverse population of Long Island. A wide range of programs and classes are offered across the arts spectrum including music, dance, film and spoken word. Particular emphasis is placed on education and outreach. Children’s Entertainment is offered.
To see the full calendar of events at the Boulton Center for the Performing Arts, click here.
Adelphi University Performing Arts Center
1 South Avenue
Garden City, NY 11530
516-877-4000
The Adelphi University Performing Arts Center opened in 2008 and is home to five intimate venues. Although they are primarily used by our students and faculty throughout the academic year, all of our venues are available for rent by outside organizations. Children & Family Theater productions are offered.
To see the full calendar of events at the Adelphi University Performing Arts Center, click here.
The Noel S. Ruiz Theatre at CM Performing Arts Center
The CM Performing Arts Center, a not-for-profit organization is “home” to people from all walks of life who work collaboratively to produce quality theatrical productions. Guided by the values of excellence, diversity and community, we seek to make a positive contribution to arts-education, culture and the quality of life on Long Island. The CM Performing Arts Center also offers Children’s Theatre productions.
To see the full calendar of events at the CM Performing Arts Center, click here.
412 Main Street
Port Jefferson, NY 11777
631-928-9100
Theatre Three is dedicated to developing an appreciation for the art of live theatre among the residents of Long Island by involving as large a constituency as possible in a rich variety of programming which includes Mainstage, Second Stage, Cabaret, and Children’s Theatre productions. The development of future audiences and performers is accessed through touring programs, a dramatic academy, and workshops. THEATRE THREE presents a diverse program of fresh and imaginative revivals of classics and modern plays. The Theatre is an arena for previously unproduced plays, and works towards their future development. The Theatre provides an environment in which talent can be nurtured, encouraged, and trained in the pursuit of a professional career. It is the goal of THEATRE THREE to attract familiar and established theatre artists to work with the theatre’s own ensemble. THEATRE THREE expands its Long Island base by working with other theatres throughout the country in the development of programming and artistic exchange in order to achieve its goal of being the premier professional theatre of Long Island. Theatre Three also offers productions from its own Children’s Theatre.
To see the full calendar of events at Theatre Three, click here.
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