This one of a kind experience for children from birth through 5 years old will feature performances of six original productions of the Alliance Theatre for the Very Young, the return of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra’s Music for the Very Young, stroller tours, art-making at the High Museum of Art, and much more.
During the festival, the Woodruff Arts Center will open its doors to the youngest members of our community with a goal to inspire the next generation through world class artistic experiences and arts-based workshops. The festival will also mark the first time the Alliance Theatre and High Museum of Art will present concurrent visual and performing art presentations of work by the same artist, Caldecott Honor-winning artist and author, Mo Willems.
To kick off the festival, Atlanta’s nationally acclaimed Alliance Theatre will present Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Musical. Based on the beloved children’s book by Mo Willems, Knuffle Bunny comes to life in this funny, heart-warming, one-act production, opening May 29th for Toddler Takeover and running through June 21st. The musical adaptation of Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Musical had its world premiere at the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C. under the direction of the Rosemary Newcott, Alliance Theatre’s Sally G. Tomlinson Artistic Director of Theatre for Youth and Families, who helms this production as well.
In conjunction with this production, the High Museum of Art will present “Seriously Silly! The Art and Whimsy of Mo Willems” (May 23, 2015 – Jan. 10, 2016), a retrospective of illustrations by the best-selling artist and author. “Seriously Silly” features more than 100 works by the artist—from preliminary drawings to completed illustrations—that chronicle the past 12 years of Willems’s whimsical world, populated by his beloved characters Knuffle Bunny, Elephant and Piggie, The Pigeon, and many more.
This unprecedented collaboration between the Alliance Theatre and High Museum of Art is made possible through a grant to The Woodruff Arts Center from the Lettie Pate Evans Foundation to expand programming and increase access for family audiences. This grant has also made it possible for tickets to Todder Takeover to be free for all children 5 years old and younger.
TICKET INFORMATION:
Adult Day Pass: $30
Big Kid Day Pass (for children 6-17 years old): $5
Very Young Day Pass (birth-5 years old): FREE!
Tickets are on sale now and available online at www.alliancetheatre.org/toddlertakeover or by calling the box office at 404.733.5000.
PLANNED EVENTS FOR MAY 29-31 INCLUDE
ALLIANCE THEATRE
Baby Yoga
Led by certified yoga instructor Matt Baum of Little Raindrop Songs.
Drama Tots Workshops
In this 30 minute class session, students will explore moments from Alliance Theatre for the Very Young productions through creative play and sensory activities.
Baby ArtsPlay Workshops
A Wolf Trap Early Learning Through the Arts session for child and caregiver to explore themes and literacy components from Alliance Theatre for the Very Young productions through singing and dancing side-by-side.
Alliance Theatre for Youth and Families performance – Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Musical
Written by Mo Willems
Directed by Rosemary Newcott
This play is a unique love story – depicting the attachment a tiny toddler can have for a very special stuffed toy and the unconditional love and hysterical quest for communication between a father and that same tiny toddler. The musical is based on Mo Willem’s enormously popular book, Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Tale.
Inspired Play Space
Daily, 9:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
An artistic retreat from the structure of performances and workshops, this room offers a space for children and families to interact with multiple art forms at the same time.
Alliance Theatre for the Very Young performance – Blub, Blub
Directed and curated by Park Cofield
An “underwater” playscape designed for children 0-2 years old. Join us for this one-of-a-kind experience, as you and your toddler meet some friendly sea creatures, explore the textures of the coral reef, and discover the fun and adventure that awaits you under the sea.
Alliance Theatre for the Very Young performance – Little Raindrop Songs
Written and Directed by Michael Haverty
A whimsically theatrical and imaginative journey through an anything-but-normal day. Combining unexpected puppetry, a vibrantly colorful and transformative two-dimensional set design, whimsically comic performances, and the catchy pajama-pop of Lullatone, this fully interactive theatrical performance will connect with the very young and invite them in to the wonder of the artistic experience.
Alliance Theatre for the Very Young performance – The Lizard & El Sol
Directed by Rosemary Newcott
An interactive adventure based on a famous Mexican folktale about a time when El Sol, (the Sun), disappeared from the sky.
Alliance Theatre for the Very Young performance – Waiting for Balloon
Written by TMarq
Directed by Rosemary Newcott
Two childlike hobo-clown characters are waiting near the railroad tracks for “balloon”. The problem is that neither of them knows exactly what “balloon” is. Through delightful trial and error, exploration and interaction with the audience, the two piece together what makes a balloon a balloon and celebrate all that is discovered while we wait!
Alliance Theatre for the Very Young performance – Roob and Noob
Written and Directed by Andy Gaukel
Meet Roob and Noob: two overly curious scientists who love nothing more than discovering something new. Join them on an interactive adventure, as they build machines from simple objects and explore the wonder and sensations of each of the four seasons.
Performances by Julie Austin and Mama Koku
Beloved children’s musician Julie Austin will present two interactive performances in the Arts Inspired Play Space on Saturday morning. Cherished Atlanta storyteller Mama Koku will retell classic children’s stories in the Arts Inspired Play Space with the help of the audience on Sunday morning.
ATLANTA SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
Atlanta Symphony Orchestra Instrument Petting Zoo
Ever wanted to try an instrument on for size? In this hands-on station, children are encouraged to touch and play the instruments featured in the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra.
Atlanta Symphony Orchestra Music for the Very Young
Our youngest learners and their accompanying adults are invited to a music experience that puts them up-close and personal with live instrumental music.
HIGH MUSEUM OF ART
Stroller Gallery Tours - Seriously Silly! The Art and Whimsy of Mo WillemsPre-registered guests only. Join High Museum teaching artists for an engaging 30-minute museum tour just for caregivers and their toddlers.
Art-Making Workshops
Pigeons, and piggies, and ducks, oh my! Make a Mo Willems-inspired bookmark in our workshops to save your place in your favorite story.
