Family/Children
Kennedy Center Family Day: Con Las Puertas Abiertas (With Open Doors)
Sat, Oct 1, 2016, 10:30 AM
In celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, your entire family is invited to this fun-filled day of free performances, demonstrations, and hands-on activities for youth of all ages, all inspired by Latino culture. Note: Family Day will take place rain or shine.
Flowers Stink (U.S. Botanic Garden Collaboration)
Oct 1 - Oct 29, 2016
In this exciting musical at the USBG, a girl struggling with writing a nature-themed poem gets some help from two zany and loveable plants who magically come to life. Age 7+
All the Way Live!
Oct 15 - Oct 16, 2016
In this interactive world premiere co-commission with B-Fly Entertainment, Hip Hop performers collaborate on the spot to "remix" everything from folk tales to classical art. History is revived with rockin' beats, rhythms, and rhymes! Age 5+
Where Words Once Were
Nov 5 - Nov 27, 2016
Get ready for wordplay in this world premiere commission from playwright Finegan Kruckemeyer--set in a city where language is rationed, a sentence can get you sentenced, the silent are rising, and a word can change the world. Age 9+
NSO Music for Young Audiences: Close Your Eyes... Now Open Your Ears!
Sun, Dec 11
In this brand new animal-inspired show you'll learn just how powerful your ears can be, especially when there's great music around! Join NSO violinist Holly Hamilton and former NSO violinist Paula Akbar as they present an earful of satisfying sounds. Age 3+
Bud, Not Buddy
Jan 12 - Jan 15, 2017
In 1936, a boy goes looking for his father guided by a band flyer. Jazz master Terence Blanchard composes the music and plays with an ensemble in this world premiere commission adapted from Christopher Paul Curtis's award-winning book. Age 9+
NSO Music for Young Audiences: Catch the Vibe
Jan 28 - Jan 29, 2017
NSO tuba player Stephen Dumaine and NSO percussionist Eric Shin team up to show you how lively the tuba can be! Along the way, you'll meet some relatives of the tuba from around the world, and you might even get to see Stephen play while riding his bicycle! Age 3+
Kennedy Center Family Day: Lunar New Year Celebration
Sat, Feb 4, 2017, 10:30 AM
NSO Family Concert: Joshua Bell in The Man with the Violin
Sun, Feb 12, 2017, 2:00 PM
When the world-renowned violinist played anonymously in DC's subway, his experience inspired an acclaimed children's book. Now this world premiere concert brings together sensational music, an engaging narrator, and colorful imagery from the story! Age 5+
NSO Music for Young Audiences: Follow That Fiddle
Sat, Feb 18
In this home-run performance, NSO musician Glenn Donnellan will introduce you to the Electric Slugger™, an electric violin that he custom made from a baseball bat. You'll have a ball as he plays a wide range of musical styles on this and a variety of violins from around the world. Age 3+
From the Mouths of Monsters
Mar 10 - Mar 12, 2017
Loosely inspired by Mary Shelley's Frankenstein, this contemporary, highly theatrical world premiere commission features two actors who riff on the classic monster tale in unexpected ways, with surprising relevance to today's audiences. Age 12+
Grug and the Rainbow
Mar 18 - Mar 19, 2017
Based on the much-loved picture book character created by Ted Prior, this brand-new show from Australia's Windmill Theatre features exquisite puppetry and more of the gentle storytelling that has delighted audiences around the world. Age 2+
To Sail Around the Sun
Mar 25 - Mar 26, 2017
Set to the timeless music of Vivaldi's Four Seasons, this imaginative world premiere co-commission between the NSO and Company | E uses dance, film, storytelling, and musicians to weave together stories about the changing of the seasons. Age 4+
Nearly Lear
May 12 - May 14, 2017
What if King Lear was told by his closest companion? In this one-woman tour-de-force, Susanna Hamnett plays the Fool--and every other character--to tell a very personal and poignant story borrowing from Shakespeare's words. Age 9+
Titus
May 20 - May 21, 2017
Young Titus is in a situation that seems hopeless… he can either give up or fight. This exciting and challenging journey examines the obstacles faced by young people in our modern world and how we learn to find courage within ourselves as we confront those obstacles. Age 13+
Mouth Open, Story Jump Out
May 20 - May 28, 2017
Don't miss a one-man show from Polarbear, one of the UK's most exciting spoken-word artists. International assassins, secret codes, dog-eating boa constrictors, and more come to life when a boy tries to make sense of his father's disappearance. Age 8+
NSO Family Concert: Peter and the Wolf in Hollywood
Sun, May 21
When a wolf escapes from the nearby zoo, young Peter goes on an epic adventure to save his friends. Using a fusion of theater, animation, Foley effects, and the live music of Prokofiev's score, this classic tale becomes an immersive, inclusive, and brand new experience. Age 5+
Hip Hop Culture: /peh-LO-tah/
Jun 9 - Jun 11, 2017
Marc Bamuthi Joseph explores soccer by layering poetry, movement, visuals, and music into a fresh theatrical form based on Hip Hop aesthetics. This world premiere co-commission features verbally and physically energetic performances.
