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Folly Kids Series

2023 - 2024 Season

The Folly Kids’ Series is a collection of national and international traveling presenters who produce quality, curriculum-based performances. Age-appropriate performances engage students in topics including children’s literacy, STEM, and social-emotional wellness. Students, parents, and school groups alike will enjoy programs which inspire and entertain, all from the stage of Kansas City’s most historic arts venue!

With themes such as language arts, social sciences, music, and science we’re certain you should be able to find a show or two to fit a variety of curriculum standards. As with previous seasons, our series capacity is on a first-come-first-serve basis!

Tickets are only $6!
One free adult with 10 paid student tickets
To order tickets or book a field trip, please call the box office at 816-474-4444 or complete THIS ORDER FORM.
Title I schools have an opportunity to have ticket and bus transportation costs covered by supporters of the Folly Theater (subject to fund availability).

**Due to very high demand, Magic School Bus is now waitlisted. You may sign up for the waitlist by completing the order form, but we strongly encourage schools to look into attending one of our other Kids’ performances.**

Monday, November 13, 2023 – 9:45 am
Monday, November 13, 2023 – 11:30 am

Approximate Running Time: ~60 Minutes
Recommended For: Pre K – 3rd Grade

Three contemporary stories by New York Times bestselling author and illustrator Todd Parr will be adapted and staged by Mermaid Theatre for the 2023-2024 season.

With his signature blend of playfulness and sensitivity, Todd Parr explores important and timely subjects. It’s Okay to Be Different cleverly delivers the important messages of acceptance, understanding, and self-confidence. Equally whimsical and heartfelt, The Earth Book, is a sweet homage to our beautiful planet inspiring readers of all ages to do their part to keep the Earth happy and healthy. This is My Hair is a funny exploration of how silly hair can be and that no matter how your hair looks, always feel good about yourself.

Mermaid’s new show will be directed and adapted by Jim Morrow, veteran director of numerous internationally acclaimed Mermaid productions.  It will feature a diverse cast, an innovative approach to puppetry manipulation and construction, combined with playful original music for which the company has earned worldwide praise.

Todd Parr is the author and illustrator of more than 71 books for children. His books are available in over forty countries throughout the world. Todd is the co-creator of the three-time Emmy-Nominated children’s television show ToddWorld™ as well as short films for Sesame Street.

Created by Mermaid Theatre of Nova Scotia

*Due to high demand, this show is waitlisted. You may sign up for the waitlist via the google form, but we encourage schools to look into attending one of our other shows*

Monday, December 11, 2023 – 9:45 am
Monday, December 11, 2023 – 11:30 am

Approximate Running Time: ~60 Minutes
Recommended For: K – 5th Grade

When the class gets lost on the way to the planetarium, Ms. Frizzle saves the day by blasting into outer space for an epic interplanetary field trip!  But when rivalries both old and new threaten to tear the students apart, our young heroes must learn to pull together or risk getting forever lost in the solar system.

Hop on the Magic School Bus for a ride in this new musical adaptation based on the original book series published by Scholastic.

Tuesday, February 6, 2024 – 9:45 am
Tuesday, February 6, 2024 – 11:30 am

Approximate Running Time: ~60 Minutes
Recommended For: 3rd Grade – Adult

This stirring drama with music is a classic tribute to the great American who freed herself and hundreds of others from the bonds of slavery. Share her adventurous life with your students in this accurate and deeply moving musical history lesson.

Harriet Tubman was a great American who freed herself and hundreds of others from the bonds of enslavement. She faced many challenges over the course of her lifetime; nevertheless she was determined to change the world with her courage. Our drama begins as Harriet’s friend, Sarah Bradford, author of Scenes in the Life of Harriet Tubman, is persuading a publisher to print her book. The publisher is not enthusiastic until he begins to read through the stories of Harriet’s life. As our story unfolds, we learn of Harriet’s early years of life, her escape to freedom, and her time as a conductor on the Underground Railroad.

The Underground Railroad was a lifeline for the enslaved escaping to freedom, and Harriet Tubman was undoubtedly one of its most famous conductors.

During the Civil War, Harriet became a spy for the Union Army and later she served as a nurse and a scout. The North won the war, bringing emancipation to the enslaved, but that did not end Harriet’s struggle for freedom.

Turning her attention to women’s suffrage, she continued fighting for everyone who suffered inequality.

Thursday, March 7, 2024 – 9:45 am
Thursday, March 7, 2024 – 11:30 am

Approximate Running Time: ~60 Minutes
Recommended For: 1st – 5th Grade

DOT DOT DOT: A New Musical is an exciting new musical based on the Creatrilogy trio of award-winning picture books by New York Times bestselling author Peter H. Reynolds- The Dot, Ish and Sky Color. Adapted by Composers Keelay Gipson and Sam Salmond, the musical, like the series, celebrates the power of originality, self-expression, and opening our eyes to look beyond the expected.

When Marisol (Sky Color), a young artist and curator of the Musee de Marisol, decides that her gallery requires more than her own art, her search for emerging talent leads her to Vashti (The Dot), whose dots inspire Ramon (Ish) to become an artist in his own right.

The musical follows Marisol’s journey to help her new friends, and her entire community, break free from self-criticism and learn to let their imaginations soar.

Thursday, May 2, 2024 – 9:45 am
Thursday, May 2, 2024 – 11:30 am
Friday, May 3, 2024 – 7:00 pm

Recommended For: K – 5th Grade

Celebrate what makes you unique in this joyful musical adaptation from the acclaimed story by Scott Stuart, “My Shadow Is Pink.” What color is your shadow? What do you love? Painting? Dancing? Race cars? Science? Whatever it is, it makes you special!

You and your shadow – no matter what color – will enjoy this delightful collaboration with GRAMMY-nominated composer, David Maddux and the Heartland Men’s Chorus, where everyone is reminded the best way to be happy and make friends is to be our authentic selves.

General Information

Tickets
Tickets are $6 each for students & chaperones. One (1) complimentary adult ticket may be redeemed per every 10 student ticket purchased.
As many performances sell out months in advance we encourage school groups to book as early as possible.
Funding may be available by Folly grant to Title 1 schools – we suggest filling out the online order form online and a representative will be in contact within 48 business hours after receiving, or call our box office at (816) 474-4444.

Payment options include: Card (Visa/Discover/Master Card/American Express) can be taken over the phone by calling 816-474-4444 during normal business hours
or check may be mailed in or dropped off in-person at the Folly Business Address:
1020 Central St
Suite 200
Kansas City MO 64105

Performance Location
All performances take place at the Folly Theater
300 W 12th St
Kansas City, MO 64105

How to Reserve Tickets & Payment Information
To purchase tickets, fill out our ONLINE FORM. If you need assistance, call our box office at (816) 474-4444 or e-mail our team at contact@follytheater.org.

Payment is due no later than 30 days prior to the performance.  When a group books a performance online or over the phone, the box office will mail an invoice with reservation details. All sales are final with no refunds, cancellations, or exchanges. If school is canceled due to inclement weather, the Folly will reschedule your group for a different production appropriate for your grade (whenever possible)

 

 

FAQ

When do I receive my tickets for a Folly Kids’ Series performance?
Tickets are not issued for Folly Kids’ Series performances.  Seating is determined by Folly Staff and ushers based on an established seating map

Can my school eat lunch on-site before or after a performance?
Unfortunately, the Folly does not have facilities available for school groups to each lunch on site.  We can provide restroom facilities and provide suggestions for outdoor locations for lunch. 

How do we obtain a refund if our school date is canceled?
Due to the varying weather policies of area schools and districts planning to attend a matinee, the Folly will attempt to reschedule a performance or gladly transfer a reservation to an alternate performance within the school year.  Refunds will only be issued in the event of a cancellation by the Folly Theater

Receive up to date information about the Folly Kids Series by  following us on Facebook  or  signing up for Folly Kids’ Series email notifications. 

The Folly Kids Series is generously brought to you by the Missouri Arts Council, National Endowment for the Arts, Theater League, R.A. Long Foundation, Ronald D. Deffenbaugh Foundation, DST/SS&C, PNC Bank, Claire Gianni Fund, and UMB Bank. 

What accommodations are available for young audiences?

  • Lobby-entry, orchestra-level seating, first floor restrooms, bar, and box office areas are all ADA-accessible and barrier free
  • Assistive listening devises are available for check out at the Box Office counter
  • Variety KC sensory kits are available at all Folly Theater performances.  Sensory kits include noise-reducing headphones, dark glasses, weighted pads, and handheld sensory items Variety KC Sensory Kits are available for check out at the Box Office
  • For additional accommodations, email us at contact@follytheater.org