I volunteered at the office of The Shadow Box Theatre once a week for about three months. I spoke to teachers who had seen shows at the theatre in the past to see if they wished to continue receiving info on SBT's shows. 99% said yes and loved all the shows and many had been taking their class to the same show or shows for years. All teachers praised SBT for their great work and said that their children always loved the shows, got into reading the books or listening to the tapes and reading along. And many wanted to act out their own versions of the stories! I loved working with the staff and was able to help them with paper work for schools and getting in touch with groups about coming to the theatre. SBT is really trying to build its family and individual audience, as well, and I worked on getting the word out to them about the Sunday shows that SBT has for families. Feedback from individuals was great, but many said they hadn't heard of Shadow Box before, and were surprised to find out that it's been around for more than 40 years. This is a wonderful theatre with great messages about peace and friendship and following your dreams... I wish that my children were still young enough to attend!
I was a elementary school librarian and brought my grand niece to a show in October. We purchased the book that the show was based on, "Lumpy Bumpy Pumpkin" and she still loves to act out the story for me, even as I reread it to her (and with her, she knows it inside out!). The performers were so engaging and the lesson about individuality clearly came through without being forced. I have seen my grand niece apply the lesson of how everyone is special and unique over and over in her play. I hope to take her to Little is Big in April. She has fish in an aquarium and is looking forward to returning to The Shadow Box Theatre
I've gone to shadowbox theater since I was very little, and recently I've started going again with my younger sister. The show incorporates the audience phenomally, and it's fun for me as an audience member, and especially fun for me as an older sister watching how much my siblings are enjoying the show. The cast constantly interacts with the audience, especially with the children there. The costumes are beautiful and creative, and the shadowpuppetry itself is dazzling. The stories are creative and always have a lesson worked into them, without being preachy.
The Shadow Box theatre has been a experience for me to remeber ever since I was a child! The cast always interacted with you and had a big smile on their face!If I was Sandy right now I would be extrodinarily proud of myself for creating such masterpeices!
The Shadow Box Theatre is a delightful children's theater. Its shows are engaging, full of wonderful songs and colorful images. The Earth and Me combines music, dance and puppetry to tell the moving story of a child and the earth.
I have been going to Shadow Box theatre shows since I was born, and I still have not getting bored of the show at age 10. When I was in the second grade, I was taking Spanish class and I forgot how to say time. But in the show Firefly Star by Sandra, They had to visit Father time,or otherwise known as Tiempo Papa. So I remebered Tiempo and answered correctly to my Spanish teacher. Shadow Box theatre is a great sight to see and helps everybody in their everyday life!
My three have been to shows over the last 12 years, they're approachable for little ones, 3 or so, and still have meaning and joy for older, 12+. The best ages are three to seven, who'll delight in the images and songs, learn a bit of peace and how important it is to be a helpful member of the community. Highly recommended.
Shadow Box Theater is a hidden gem of New York City children's theater. Over the years thousands of school children have seen, heard and felt the soul warming stories brought to life in dance, music and puppetry by Director, Sandra Robbins and her wonderful company. The productions I have seen always combine the arts with a child's developmental needs so the whole audience relates and responds to what is happening on stage. I loved it!
I have been fortunate enough to see the magic of the Shadow Box Theatre as a child, and now as an adult. While viewing at different ages in my life I certainly had different outlooks. As a child I was in awe. I had never seen such a performance. Now, as an elementary educator, the Shadow Box Theatre inspires me to utilize the dramatic arts. I recently had the opportunity to view "The African Drum". It was adorable how mesmerized and responsive the children were. When you are a kid you don't pay attention to the person sitting next to you. But now, to see it was truly amazing. I am also an actor, and have acted in a children's theatre show, but seeing a shadow screen show, with puppets and morals is truly a unique experience. The Shadow Box Theatre is a joy for children and families.
Shadow Box Theatre is a wonderful educational and arts organization that appeals to children and families and brings socially and culturally important messages forward in age appropriate ways. Through the arts children are exposed to messages about morality, keeping safe, being honest, etc. The stories used have an appeal on many levels.
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Shadow Box Theatre is a wonderful educational and arts organization that appeals to children and families and brings socially and culturally important messages forward in age appropriate ways. Through the arts children are exposed to messages about morality, keeping safe, being honest, etc. The stories used have an appeal on many levels.
This group has been bringing live multicultural theatre to the children of New York City for so many years, and has only grown in it's creativity and impact. In a world that inundates kids with constant quick and often imperosnal technology, this children's theatre stands out as deeply human, and humnanizing. The kids are capitivated by such an old art form mixed with vibrant live performance. Keep up the good work!
This nonprofit theatre puts on a range of wonderful shows with complex themes and topics that all ages can enjoy. Growing up, both my grandmother and mother were involved in this nonprofit and so I saw many of the shows and listened to the stories on tape. Just this past weekend, now 21 years old, I went to go see one of their shows again, The African Drum, and was delighted to find that I enjoyed it just as much now as a young adult as I did as a child. What I love about the stories of the Shadow Box Theatre is that they educate about a range of issues from world peace, street smarts, environmental stewardship, to cultural sensitivity and do so through captivating stories in a manner that can be enjoyed by all ages. The themes are universal but complex and full of substance. There is something wholesome and very real about the manner in which they are addressed. It reminds me of traditional story telling and oral history traditions. The shows put on by the shadow box theatre will be magical for both the children and adults and will stay with you long afterwards. I highly recommend them!