Tucked inside the Lower Level of The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis, children and their families gather in a 350-seat auditorium, buzzing with anticipation. The house lights dim. An energetic hush sweeps through the room as the crowd settles into their seats. And they’re ushered into the magical world of live theater.
Why Live Theater Matters for Young Children
Live theater offers something uniquely powerful for young children — the chance to step into another world and experience big ideas in a way that feels playful, warm and immediate. Amanda Boldt, Interpretation Supervisor at The Children’s Museum and a trained theater educator, explains that theater allows kids to “see and step into another world and another experience,” giving them space to explore emotions, practice empathy, and understand how people relate to one another.
Amanda explains that these moments matter for early learners. Young children are discovering social cues, emotional expression and community. Watching a story unfold on stage helps them recognize what emotions look like, how characters interact, and what it means to solve problems thoughtfully. Theater for young audiences is intentionally designed with this in mind, with clear stories, big expressions and accessible themes. A character tries something new and fails. Someone gets scared. Someone has to be brave. These simple story beats help young children practice naming and understanding their own feelings.
There’s also something special about sharing the experience with others. Just as adults feel the energy of a crowd at a basketball game, children feel the laughter, surprise and anticipation around them. They notice how other kids and grown‑ups react. The performers respond back in real time. Children learn that stories are something we experience together.
Unlike screen time, live theater offers a fully human experience — actors responding in real time, sets and lights transforming the space, and a story happening right in front of them. For many children, this is the moment when imagination feels most alive. Theater becomes a safe place to explore emotions, practice bravery, and discover the joy of shared storytelling.
Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Musical in Lilly Theater
From Feb. 28–April 4, your child can encounter the magic and wonder of live theater with Lilly Theater’s production of Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Musical, based on the beloved Caldecott Honor-winning picture book, Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Tale by Mo Willems. Willems also wrote the show’s script and lyrics. Music is by Michael Silversher. In this 45 minute show intended for audiences ages 4 and up, Trixie, her father, and her favorite stuffed bunny set off on a trip to the laundromat. The trip brings wonder, excitement and joy to the lively toddler until she realizes that she has left her Knuffle Bunny back at the laundromat. Trixie does everything in her power to make her father understand the emergency, but her father fails to see the issue at hand. It’s filled with adventure, song and dancing laundry and an instant children’s classic — a perfect way to celebrate 50 years of Lilly Theater!
Shows take place on the Christel DeHaan stage. Activities are made possible in part by the Indy Arts Council and the City of Indianapolis.
