An origami dragon, a splashy sing-along, parading puppets and Madagascan clowns.
These are just a few of the treats at the 37th annual EQT Children’s Theater Festival, returning to Downtown this weekend with more than 50 activities and performances, both free and ticketed.
Traditionally a five-day event, the festival, presented by The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, was shut down in 2020 and 2021 before returning for a two-day mini-fest last year. Now, it goes to three days on its eventual path back to five.
As always, there are several premieres on the slate.
“We have artists coming from Madagascar, which is a first for the festival,” says Pamela Komar, director of theater, music and youth programming for the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust.
“The piece is called Sakasaka and it means ‘thirsty’ in Malagasy. It’s three circus artists mostly focused on physical theater and physical comedy. They're playing outdoors with water and live musicians and this is their first time to North America. So, it's a really big premiere for us and a really big journey for them.”
They will share the outdoor space in a parking lot at 7th Street and Penn Avenue across from the Benedum with origami artist Kuniko Yamamoto.
Other premieres include the sold-out Buoyant SEA, a water-table play for the young ones and, at the other end of the spectrum, “A Letter for Elena,” a play for children 12 and up.
“The piece deals with grief,” Komar says, “which is something that in our culture, we don't necessarily talk about or prepare kids for. The three actors/dancers in the piece are looking for one of their dear friends, and going through the process of not understanding why she's not writing back to them. It’s a beautiful way to approach this subject with preteens and teenagers. We”ll have the Center for Grief Counseling on site to help talk to kids.”
Also for older kids and adults is “Traveling While Black,” a virtual reality experience relating to the 2019 documentary of the same name concerning racism and segregation that was shot in Ben's Chili Bowl in Washington, D.C.
In all, the festival offers a mix of international touring artists and such Pittsburgh stalwarts as The Andy Warhol Museum, Citiparks, Kidsburgh, The Mattress Factory, Mike the Balloon Guy & Company, Pittsburgh Youth Symphony Orchestra and Moonshot Museum.
Among the food trucks parked in the area will be Aviva Brick Oven, Goodeats, Hot Bunz and Kona Ice. Festival-goers can also take part in the Frog Stop Scavenger Hunt to collect stickers and win special prizes. Info at TrustArts.org/FrogStops.
These are the featured events:
“Origami Tales”: Mythological character masks, puppets, amazing flowers and a dragon made from origami all play into Kuniko Yamamoto’s art from ancient Japan. Best for ages 3+. Outdoors, 7th Street and Penn Avenue, 10 a.m. Friday-Sunday; $12.
“Hiccup”: Australia’s Windmill Theatre Co. stages this musical of friendship about a sleep-deprived camper, a cheeky quokk and an innovative emu who embark on a journey to help cure a koala of an ear-shatteringly loud case of the hiccups. Best for ages 3-9. Point Park Playhouse. 11:30 a.m. Friday; 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Saturday; 1 and 4 p.m. Sunday. $12.
Sakasaka: This clown trio from Madagascar presents wordless physical comedy that teaches the importance of water conservation. Best for ages 3 and up. Outdoors, 7th Street and Penn Avenue. 11:45 a.m. Friday; 12:30 and 4 p.m. Saturday; 12:30 p.m. Sunday. $12.
“It's Okay to Be Different”: From Mermaid Theater of Nova Scotia comes this show, with music and puppetry, of the classic stories of bestselling author Todd Parr. They explore messages of acceptance, understanding and self-confidence. Best for ages 3-7 years. Byham Theater. 10 a.m. Saturday; 3:30 p.m. Sunday. $12.
“Buoyant SEA”: Babies and young children sing and splash together along with their grown-ups in a “water table play” about the joy of togetherness. Trust Arts Education Center. Best for ages 1-4 years with a caregiver. Remaining tickets are for observation space only. Trust Arts Education Center. Friday-Sunday.
“A Letter for Elena”: For children 7 and above is this theater/dance production that “unfolds itself like a treasure hunt where the path of mourning is slowly drawn, and words take form to say goodbye.” Pittsburgh Playhouse Highmark Theatre. 11:45 a.m. Friday; 4 p.m. Saturday; 11:45 a.m. Sunday. $12.
Mr. Messado’s School of Magic for the Young and Young at Heart: Magic and comedy show full of interactive wonder. Best for ages 8+. Liberty Magic. 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Sunday. He will also do roving street magic from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. Saturday in the Cultural District.
“The Gruffalo”: Tall Stories presents this musical adaptation of the classic picture book by Julie Donaldson and Axel Scheffler about a scared mouse in the woods and the story of the terrifying Gruffalo. Best ages 3 and up. Byham Theater. 10 a.m. Friday; 3:30 p.m. Saturday; 10 a.m. Sunday. Sold out.
Here are the free events:
Friday
Enchanted Experiences: Alice in Wonderland: Storytime. Backyard at 8th & Penn @ Cultural District. 11:30 a.m.-noon.
The Alloy School: Let's Move Dance Party: With the Kelly Strayhorn Theater. Backyard at 8th & Penn. 1-1:30 p.m.
Collage & Color: An Exploration of Our Rivers: Art, nature and play combine to educate and inspire future riverfront projects. Riverlife Pittsburgh. Backyard at 8th & Penn. 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Aboriginal Inspired Art: Create a one of a kind carrying bag with artwork inspired by Aboriginal artwork of the Australian Outback. Point Park Playhouse lobby. 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Musical Instrument Petting Zoo: Learn how to hold and play a variety of brass and string instruments. Backyard at 8th & Penn. 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Art Activities!: Mattress Factory Museum of Contemporary Art. Backyard at 8th & Penn. 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Art in Motion Pittsburgh: Whimsical, creative movement. Backyard at 8th & Penn. 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Movement Workshop: Art in Motion Pittsburgh dance lesson. Backyard at 8th & Penn. 12:15-12:45 p.m.
Friday-Sunday
Miss Cassidy's Music and Dance Party: Live dancing, performance, and games for the whole family. Backyard at 8th & Penn. 10:45 a.m.
Imagination Playground: Stack and build with larger-than-life block systems. Point Park Playhouse Courtyard. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Friday; 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
LEGO Derby Track Races: Design, build and race your own LEGO car. Point Park Playhouse lobby. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Friday; 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
Interactive 3D Chalk Art: 3-D chalk art from The Chalking Dad! Backyard at 8th & Penn. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Friday; 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
Rainbow Fish Storytime: Storytime readings of Rainbow Fish with Citiparks. Trust Oasis. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Friday; 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
Traveling While Black: Immersive VR experience discussing longtime restriction for Black Americans. For audiences 12 and older. 820 Gallery. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Friday; 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
Eyeball Art in Market Square: 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Friday; 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
Origami Station: With Japan-America Society of Pennsylvania. SPACE Gallery. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Friday; 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
Saturday
Enchanted Experiences: Tinkerbell: Live performance and story from Tinkerbell. Backyard at 8th & Penn. 11:30 a.m.-noon.
The Starry Messenger: Explore a celestial circus in the stars. Backyard at 8th & Penn. 1-1:30 p.m.
Mission to the Moon!: Lunar science expedition with audience participation from Moonshot Museum. Backyard at 8th & Penn. 2:30-3 p.m.
The Collaboration Festival: A Celebration of the African Diaspora: Interactive performance from local professional artists. Backyard at 8th & Penn. 3:15-4:15 p.m.
Dance! Spin! Play!: With Joanna Abel. Backyard at 8th & Penn. 12:15-12:45 p.m.
Make Your Own Rainbow Fish: With Pittsburgh Center for Arts and Media. Trust Oasis. 10 a.m. 5 p.m.
Mini Museum: Hands-on natural history experience from Carnegie Museum of Natural History. Backyard at 8th & Penn. 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Sunday
Enchanted Experiences: Rapunzel: Storytime performances. Backyard at 8th & Penn. 11:30- a.m.-noon.
Pittsburgh Youth Symphony Orchestra: Musical performance. Backyard at 8th & Penn. 2:30-3 p.m.
School of Rock South Hills: Musical performance. Backyard at 8th & Penn. 3:30-4:30 p.m.
Giant Puppet Dance Party: Backyard at 8th & Penn at 12:15 p.m. and throughout the Cultural District, 12:45-1:15 p.m.
Cajun Drumming: Percussive drum performance from Vince Wallace of the Pittsburgh Steeline. Backyard at 8th & Penn. 1-1:30 p.m. Sunday.
For more events, go to TrustArts.org/CTF.
First Published: May 15, 2023, 9:30 a.m.