Children Are Special at Wolf TrapTheatre-in-the-Woods features children’s programming.Vienna Connection
Donna ManzThroughout the year, Wolf Trap offers children’s programs through its educational arm. It’s in the summer, though, beneath towering shade trees in a wooded clearing, that Wolf Trap programs for children really shine. The Theatre-in-the-Woods hosts daily twice-morning performances ranging from puppetry and song to ethnic dance, opera and storytelling.
The authentically-outfitted hula dancers who performed the full week of July 6 – 13 had tots and their parents swaying in their seats.
"We like the atmosphere here," said Christine Gabriel of Great Falls, holding the hands of her two-and-a-half-year old daughter, Grace, as they moved to the music. "We’ve come here the past three weeks, but today, we came especially for this show. Grace likes dancing. It’s wonderful."
Not everyone is local at the Theatre-in-the-Woods shows. During the week, campers from throughout the metropolitan area make their way to Wolf Trap on field trips. Parents and grandparents from all over Northern Virginia and Maryland bring young ones for cultural exposure and fun, sometimes, year after year. Saturday shows are frequently packed and sold-out.
Joy Hunter of Hyattsville used to belong to a hula group and brought her three-year-old son, Alex, to hear the music and watch the dancers.
"This is the first time we’ve been to a children’s show here," said Hunter. "I like the Theatre-in-the-Woods. It’s nice, quiet, cool and comfortable. The way the theatre is set up, there’s not a bad seat in the house."
"I like it," said Alex.
The Hawaiian dancers, armed with traditional Hawaiian dance implements, are local, as well. They live in Vienna, Great Falls and Herndon. Their performance, the early show, was followed by "Mr. Steve," a local musician/singer who has appeared on PBS. Parents were buying his CDs.
Vanessa and Robert Redd of Ashburn brought daughter, Sophia, aged four, to the hula show. "It’s a great venue because it’s shaded and the small kids can really see the performance up close," said Vanessa Redd. "The programs are just the right length, too, just long-enough to keep them engaged."
TO GET TO the Theatre-in-the-Woods, patrons take the paved downhill path to the meadow, cross the footbridge, and follow the earthen trails to the theatre’s stage and seating. Strollers line up along the path. In the meadow, families and campers spread out blankets and share snacks and lunches. Several picnic tables, in the shade, are scattered about.
The theatre holds up to 800 paying guests with seating up to 1,000. Saturday shows frequently sell out. Pre-purchased seating is recommended by Wolf Trap for all performances.
Tickets may be purchased at
Tickets.com, by calling 1(877)WOLFTRAP, at the Filene Center Box Office, or at the new gazebo. Pre-purchased tickets may be picked up at the footbridge leading to the Children's Theatre-in-the-Woods. Day-of-show tickets, if available, may also be purchased at the footbridge with exact change, check, or credit card. A new wood-clad gazebo, open in mid-July, houses a ticket office and merchandise sales.
Adults and children aged three and up require tickets for all performances. Tickets are $8 each for one show or $10 for both shows on the same day.
For general information, call 703-255-1868. For schedule and performance details, to
http://www.wolftrap.org/Education/Childrens_Theatre-in-the-Woods.aspx
