Happy World Day of Theatre For Children & Young People 3/20 #ChiILPicksList

We're huge fans of theatre for all ages here at ChiILMama! So we're excited that today (March 20) is World Theatre Day for Children and Young People. We've got plenty of ways to celebrate.  Check back with us like we vote in Chi, IL... early and often.  

We feature loads of original content including Chicago theatre reviews, video interviews, photo filled features, news about upcoming shows and ticket giveaways.

We couldn't agree more with this World Theatre Day Video.  Check it out!  It's such a pleasure when someone gets it right... and these kids get it.

Started by the International Association of Theatre for Children and Young People, World Theatre Day for Children and Young People is a day dedicated to immersing children in the theatre. 

As Huffington Post's Lauren Gunderson notes: "If you take a child to the theater, not only will they practice empathy, they might also laugh uproariously, or come home singing about science, or want to know more about history, or tell you what happened at school today, or spend all dinner discussing music, or learn how to handle conflict, or start becoming future patrons of the arts."

ChiIL Out With ChiIL Mama on World Day of Theatre For Children & Young People... and beyond

New for 2014:  Sage & Du's Reviews, a kids' eye view. My kids have seen hundreds of shows & they've both been on stage too. Now they are writing theatre reviews in their own words. Sage is 10 and Dugan just turned 13, and they tell it like it is with wit and wisdom.  Click here for their reviews to date.

ChiIL Mama's ChiIL Picks List-Fam 

Friendly Theatre Favorites

Adventure Stage Theatre *(Click here for your chance to WIN 4 tickets to the WORLD PREMIERE of SPARK from ChiIL Mama (show recommended for ages 9+) $104 value, 4pm, 4/12. Includes the opening day performance & after party

Chicago Children's Theatre *(Use the promo code WORLD today, & get 20% off their spring and summer offerings, including The Very Hungry Caterpillar, Summer Camp, and Later Stages.)

The House Theatre
Chicago Shakespeare

Lifeline Theatre

Steppenwolf Young Peoples' Series

Babes With Blades

Barrel of Monkeys

The Hypocrites

Broadway in Chicago touring shows

Emerald City

Second City

The above list is comprised of some of our favorites that do a consistently stellar job.  We are so fortunate to live in Chicago, one of the best theatre towns in the WORLD.  Many storefronts run some family friendly shows or a kids' series, so don't be afraid to explore beyond the obvious.  We take our kids to loads of great shows from the big budget Broadway in Chicago touring extravaganzas to numerous storefronts.  Don't assume ALL of the shows a company produces are kid friendly.  

Please check out our web site & social media channels here at ChiIL Mama for current and upcoming productions and summer camps. We also recommend you go right to the source and show the theatre companies some social media love by following them on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Google + and Pinterest.  

You might also like:
*Free tickets to  Island of Lemurs: Madagascar in IMAX® 3D Advanced Screening 10am 3/29 at Navy Pier from ChiIL Mama! http://www.chiilmama.com/2014/03/free-tickets-to-island-of-lemurs.html #GofoboCode 

*4 Free tickets to ChiIL Mama Presents Beat Kitchen's Concerts for Kids:  We are also currently picking weekly winners for our LIVE family friendly music series every Sunday at noon at Beat Kitchen. Enter through midnight every Thursday.  New winners announced every Friday.