What Is Theatre for the Very Young?

Theatre for the Very Young, often called TVY, is live performance created especially for babies, toddlers, and preschoolers, starting at birth. These experiences are thoughtfully designed to meet children exactly where they are, honoring how young brains and bodies learn through movement, sound, texture, color, and connection.

Rather than asking children to sit still and be quiet, TVY invites them to explore. Performers respond to curiosity. Caregivers are welcomed into the experience alongside their child. Every moment is paced to support attention spans that are still growing and emotions that are just beginning to take shape.

Why It Matters, Even From the Very Beginning

From the earliest months of life, children are building essential developmental skills through sensory play and shared experiences. Theatre for the Very Young supports this growth by nurturing:

  • Sensory awareness through sound, light, texture, and movement
  • Language development through rhythm, repetition, and expressive voices
  • Social and emotional learning through observation, imitation, and shared attention
  • Curiosity and confidence by encouraging safe exploration
  • Connection between caregiver and child through shared wonder

Research shows that early experiences with art, music, and storytelling help strengthen neural pathways that support communication, empathy, and creative thinking later in life. TVY meets these goals in a joyful, age appropriate way that feels playful and gives parents tools to take home.

Newborns - New Walkers

Baby & Me

Baby and Me experiences are designed for our youngest audiences and the grownups who love them. Created for babies from birth through early toddlerhood, these gentle, interactive sessions invite caregivers and children to explore sound, movement, and sensory play together.

Baby and Me

Baby and Me

Grounded in early childhood development research, Baby and Me supports bonding, language development, and sensory integration through live music, storytelling, and guided exploration. Babies are encouraged to move, reach, listen, and respond in their own time. Caregivers are active participants, modeling curiosity and helping build early social connections.
Toddlers

Story Stroll

Story Stroll blends early literacy, movement, and discovery into an experience made for curious young explorers. Designed for toddlers and preschoolers, Story Stroll invites families to move through a story together, encountering characters, problem solving, and playful moments along the way. Research shows that children build language and comprehension skills through repetition, physical movement, and interactive storytelling. Story Stroll brings these elements together by allowing children to hear stories, see them come to life, and actively participate as the narrative unfolds. Rather than sitting in one place, children are encouraged to walk, point, respond, and engage with the world around them. Caregivers support and participate alongside their child, helping turn the experience into a shared adventure that builds confidence, vocabulary, and a love of discovery.

Jan 17

Story Stroll: Barnyard Boogie

This fun and engaging class is for guardians and their toddlers (ages 2-3) to experience a journey of creativity play through Loch Haven Park.

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Feb 7

Story Stroll: Pete the Cat and His White Shoes

This fun and engaging class is for guardians and their toddlers (ages 2-3) to experience a journey of creativity play through Loch Haven Park.

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Mar 7 - Mar 21

Story Stroll: Bluey’s Backyard Adventure

This fun and engaging class is for guardians and their toddlers (ages 2-3) to experience a journey of creativity play through Loch Haven Park.

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Apr 4 - Apr 18

Story Stroll: Just Keep Strolling

This fun and engaging class is for guardians and their toddlers (ages 2-3) to experience a journey of creativity play through Loch Haven Park.

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Age 1-5

Experience a TVY Show

Our Shows Onstage for very young audiences bring all the care and research of Theatre for the Very Young into a traditional theatre setting, while keeping the experience flexible, responsive, and child-centered. These performances are created specifically for toddlers and preschoolers, with shorter run times, simple narratives, and rich sensory design. Children are welcomed to react naturally. They may clap, talk back, move from their seats, or quietly observe. Performers are trained to respond to young audiences, making each show an interactive experience. Rooted in research on attention development and social learning, These shows encourage imagination, emotional awareness, and shared focus between children and caregivers. They offer a first theatre experience that feels safe, joyful, and age appropriate, proving that even the youngest audiences can be thoughtful, engaged participants in live art.

Jan 24 - Feb 22

Yo, Ho, Ho! Let’s Go!

Parrots, crabs, mermaids, and more join the fun for an interactive, multi-sensory experience!

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Feb 21 - Mar 28

Puppet Play Day: Peter Rabbit

Create, imagine, and play! Build your own puppet, bring the story to life, and enjoy a delightful, high-energy puppet show starring Peter Rabbit and his adventurous siblings.

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