In January 2021, the spark to develop a new course for my theatre students at the University of North Carolina began to arise out of the ashes of 2020. Taking inspiration from my family’s enthusiasm for creative play and armed with the knowledge that live theatre is a creative medium uniquely positioned to meet the developmental needs of young children, I set out to develop a Theatre for the Very Young applied theater course. The goal was to conceptualize, script, and perform an original show specifically designed for pre-schoolers and their families. A show that would provide a sense of wonder for audiences and offer families in the Asheville community a chance to participate in a creative activity.
Theatre for the Very Young (TVY) originated in Europe in the late 1970s. It is a theatrical genre performed by adult actors for babies and children aged 0 to 5 years. TVY combines dramatic play elements with immersive design to create an interactive and multi-sensory performance. Although Theatre for the Very Young performances center on the aesthetic and developmental needs of young children, anyone who wishes to experience the world with a sense of child-like wonder is invited to attend.
“Drip, Drip, Drop: A Water Adventure” is the show that ultimately emerged from my fall class. Written and performed by TheatreUNCA students, the story follows the journey of a youngin’ who magically transforms into a water droplet and learns about the water cycle. The interactive elements of the play remind children of familiar events from their everyday lives, such as the back-and-forth interaction of reading a book with an adult or the imaginative play that comes from simple objects like a hat or blanket. These types of sensory and tactile experiences are beneficial to young children. They help them develop an understanding of the world around them and of relationships with other human beings. There are also moments in our show for the adult audience members to serve as impromptu puppeteers and join our evaporation dance party.
“Drip Drip Drop” celebrates water, imagination, and fun and welcomes families of young children to engage with a live theatrical performance. To engage and give back to the Asheville community, TheatreUNCA will offer exclusive “Drip Drip Drop” performances for children at Gracelyn Children’s Center and Christine Avery Learning Center. There will also be four opportunities for the public to catch “Drip Drip Drop” performances on April 23rd and 24th on the Reynolds Green at UNC Asheville.
As we emerge from behind our screens and out into the face-to-face world, my hope is for children and grown-ups who experience the show to be inspired to find more moments of play and wonder in their lives, and that more resources to support new and deserving family-friendly arts programming in Asheville will arise.
Lise Kloeppel is the Chair and Associate Professor of Drama at the University of North Carolina Asheville. She moved to Asheville in 2008 after completing her MFA in Theatre for Youth & Communities from Arizona State University in Tempe, AZ.
“Drip, Drip Drop: A WATER Adventure” was conceived and written by UNC Asheville students in the Fall 2021 Theatre for the Very Young (TVY) course. Directed by Lise Kloeppel.
Performances at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. on April 23 and 24. Tickets may be purchased for a suggested donation of $5-$10 per ticket through Eventbrite. For more information visit https://drama.unca.edu/engage/theatreunca/
.jpeg?auto=webp)
.jpeg?auto=webp)
.jpeg?auto=webp)
.jpeg?auto=webp)
.jpeg?auto=webp)
/1x.jpeg?auto=webp)
/1x.jpeg?auto=webp)
/1x.jpeg?auto=webp)
/1x.jpeg?auto=webp)
/1x.jpeg?auto=webp)
/1x.jpeg?auto=webp)