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Wheaton Family Theatre Series
Season 7: 2021—2022
The Wheaton Family Theatre Series is a FREE public performing arts series for kids and families. With theatres and live performances not yet open in the first half of 2021, we discovered creative ways to bring the Series to life virtually for Season 6. As sad as we were not to see everyone in person, we embraced the challenge to be creative and found a whole new way to celebrate theatre for kids and families in Wheaton. Season 7 of InterAct's Wheaton Family Theatre Series will enjoy both an in-person return to Wheaton but also celebrate our virtual performance opportunities for our communities beginning this September.
Thanks to the partnership support of Highland Elementary School and their PTA, Connecticut Avenue Estates Civics Association, Wheaton Hills Civic Association; support from a plethora of community members; and funding from Maryland State Arts Council, Arts and Humanities Council of Montgomery County, Nora Roberts Foundation, and individual and corporate donors. Support also provided by a grant from the Greater Washington Community Foundation.
To inquire about reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities, for future events, or to obtain additional information, please contact InterAct Story Theatre by email at info@interactstory.com or by phone at (301) 879-9305. Requests should be made at least two weeks in advance of an event.
To keep up on the latest news about InterAct’s Wheaton Family Theatre Series Season 7 and get reminders about our next program dates, join our mailing list. We also invite you to check out our past seasons by clicking on any of the season buttons!
Books Alive for January
CANCELLED
In the meantime, we are following the recommendations of the CDC for preventing the spread of COVID-19 as we make our plans for the next two months. We hope that you are taking good care of yourself and each other, and we look forward to reconnecting with you soon.
After much careful thought, InterAct Story Theatre is CANCELLING this weekend's Wheaton Family Theatre Series events at Highland Elementary School (on Saturday, January 8th at 11:00 a.m. and Sunday, January 9th at 2:00 p.m.) due to the continuing concerns surrounding COVID-19 and the current COVID-19 surge.
We care deeply about the health, safety and well-being of everyone in this wonderful community of kids, families, educators, and advocates. Like everyone else, we have been following the news regarding current COVID surges, and the health and safety recommendations of our state and local health departments. We do not know yet how our Wheaton Family Theatre Series event scheduled for February 6th and 7th will be affected, but we will be closely monitoring the situation and will make a decision at the appropriate time that best supports the health and safety of this community that we love.
Dancing with Change
with Kelly King
Saturday, February 5 at 11 a.m. and Sunday, February 6 at 2 p.m.
Event held at Highland Elementary School - 3100 Medway Street, Wheaton, MD 20902 FREE and open to the public! No tickets or registration needed.
Kelly King, InterAct Story Theatre teaching artist and founder of The Movement Movement, brings us together during this time of change...through dance! We all know how to dance with change--we do it with every step we take. So, let’s come together and dance! Together, we’ll create a dance just for us with movements based on our experiences, hopes, and dreams. No prior dance training needed...just bring your body and get ready to move! Best for ages 3 and up.
For in-person events masks are required, and anyone over 12 years old must show proof of vaccination or proof of negative test results within 72 hours to enter the event.
This program may shift to a virtual performance depending on Covid-19 health and safety needs.
The Magic Tree
performed by Khaleshia Thorpe Price
Saturday, March 12 at 11 a.m. and Sunday, March 13 at 2 p.m.
Event held at Highland Elementary School - 3100 Medway Street, Wheaton, MD 20902 FREE and open to the public! No tickets or registration needed.
A funny, uplifting story adapted from a Zambian folk tale, performed by actor and teaching artist Khaleshia Thorpe-Price. The animals of the grasslands are in terrible trouble—it hasn’t rained in ages, and everyone is hungry and thirsty! Their only hope is to find out how to get the fruit from a mysterious magic tree, but they must journey across the land to learn how...and they have to remember the secret on the long journey back! Best for ages 3 and up.
For in-person events masks are required, and anyone over 12 years old must show proof of vaccination or proof of negative test results within 72 hours to enter the event.
This program may shift to a virtual performance depending on Covid-19 health and safety needs.
Karim Nagi: ARABIQA!
Drums and Dances from
the Arab World
Saturday, April 2 at 11 a.m. and Sunday, April 3 at 2 p.m.
Event held at Highland Elementary School - 3100 Medway Street, Wheaton, MD 20902 FREE and open to the public! No tickets or registration needed.
Join Egyptian-American musician and dancer Karim Nagi for an engaging, witty performance spotlighting Arabic music, dance, and culture. Karim shares the unique sounds and histories of percussion and string instruments, demonstrates dynamic folk dances, teaches vocabulary and geography, and gives an uplifting impression of Arab culture. All ages.
For in-person events masks are required, and anyone over 12 years old must show proof of vaccination or proof of negative test results within 72 hours to enter the event.
This program may shift to a virtual performance depending on Covid-19 health and safety needs.
5th Annual KidStory
Theatre Festival
A Theatrical Celebration of Stories Written by Kids for Kids
Saturday, May 14 at 11 a.m. and Sunday, May 15 at 2 p.m.
Event held at Highland Elementary School - 3100 Medway Street, Wheaton, MD 20902 FREE and open to the public! No tickets or registration needed.
All year long, InterAct Story Theatre artists create stories with kids, and invite kids to share their epic stories with us. Each May, we choose the best of the best and transform them into short plays, musical numbers, and vignettes performed by our InterActors. We can’t wait to see what kids dream up each year! Best for ages 3 and up.
For in-person events masks are required, and anyone over 12 years old must show proof of vaccination or proof of negative test results within 72 hours to enter the event.
This program may shift to a virtual performance depending on Covid-19 health and safety needs.
Cantaré
MUCHA MÚSICA - A Musical Journey to Latin America
September, 2021
Virtual Program!
Cantaré, Latin American Music introduces audiences to the beautiful songs and rhythms of Latin America in an exciting interactive performance. Drawing from the musical heritage of the Caribbean, Central and South America, Cantaré performs songs in Spanish and Portuguese, while sharing the music’s cultural and historical background. All ages.
Cantaré: Cecilia Esquivel and Dani Cortaza appear courtesy of Artivate
Past programs:
Alex and Olmsted
Milo the Magnificent
October, 2021
Event held at Highland Elementary School - 3100 Medway Street, Wheaton, MD 20902 FREE and open to the public! No tickets or registration needed.
Alex and Olmsted’s Milo the Magnificent is a highly engaging puppet show about an aspiring magician. This wordless comedy, inspired by turn of the century vaudeville entertainers, is as highly physical as it is charming. Using stunningly innovative puppetry, Milo presents a variety of magic tricks which don’t always go as planned. Milo the Magnificent, was awarded a 2017 Jim Henson Foundation Grant, a Greenbelt Community Foundation Grant, and received an excellent mention in the New York Times. Alex Vernon and Sarah Olmsted Thomas are also proud company members of Happenstance Theater with whom they have created 10 productions since 2012. Great for all ages!
Photo by Sean Dennie
For in-person events masks are required, and anyone over 12 years old must show proof of vaccination or proof of negative test results within 72 hours to enter the event.
This program may shift to a virtual performance depending on Covid-19 health and safety needs.
Urban Artistry
Let the Rhythm Hit Em
November, 2021
Event held at Highland Elementary School - 3100 Medway Street, Wheaton, MD 20902 FREE and open to the public! No tickets or registration needed.
Learn about the music and dance cultures that stem from various African American communities across the United States. Although these urban and hip-hop dance communities transpired amidst struggles and adversity, they have inspired a global commonwealth of artists, practitioners and creatives. In this presentation, we celebrate the diverse communities and influences that contribute to urban dance culture through music and dance. The emcee, DHG and dancers tell the story of where, when and how these dance styles were developed through storytelling, dance demonstrations, call-and-response games and interactive dance workshops. Dance styles in the presentation can include Memphis Jookin, locking, popping, breakin’ house dance, waacking and hip-hip. We are eager to engage an audience of all ages in celebrating the freedom to express ourselves, cultivate self-worth and respectfully hold space on and off the dance floor for each other. All ages!
For in-person events masks are required, and anyone over 12 years old must show proof of vaccination or proof of negative test results within 72 hours to enter the event.
This program may shift to a virtual performance depending on Covid-19 health and safety needs.
Synetic Theater
The Miraculous Magical Balloon
December, 2021
Event held at Highland Elementary School - 3100 Medway Street, Wheaton, MD 20902 FREE and open to the public! No tickets or registration needed.
A series of hilarious pantomime sketches incorporates music, ballet, clowning, and audience participation in this theatre assembly. In The Miraculous Magical Balloon, students will discover the art of acting without words, opening the door to their imaginations. Expressed through body and facial masks, pantomime illusions, and unique choreography, The Miraculous Magical Balloon tells a wonderful story of a traveling actor and his magical trunk of tricks and toys.
For in-person events masks are required, and anyone over 12 years old must show proof of vaccination or proof of negative test results within 72 hours to enter the event.
This program may shift to a virtual performance depending on Covid-19 health and safety needs.