For some reason (I really have no idea what that reason is, since I’ve never seen anyplace that was more up my alley and was NOT a book store) this was my first trip to the workhouse arts center. The fact that I arrived in rain that was only just a tad too warm to be sleet accounts for the fact that I didn’t get any exterior photos, but thankfully Flickr will provide:
The reason for our first trip to the Workhouse Arts Center was Drumming with Dishes, Holiday Edition (Show runs through Dec 8). After you arrive and either check in (advance purchases) or buy your ticket at the door, you head down the hallway and have a choice of either a quiet reading area or a hands-on play area to amuse your kiddo while you wait for the show to start- or you can stop on your way out. Either way, this is what we call a sign that Arts on the Horizon understands how kids work, so they’ve already made my A list.
Once inside, a parachute rainbow entices the children to sit on the floor, and there is a row of chairs at the back for adults or for kiddos who want to hang back a bit. My guy was feeling a bit introverted today, so he hung back with me until he had a chance to scope out what was up. The arrangement gave him plenty of space to take in his surroundings, so if you have a sensitive kiddo this may work for you.
The story opens with one lonely girl looking for a playmate, and pantomimes the process of meeting someone new from feeling shy at first meeting to best friends forever. Whether your child on the shy side or could use some tips on how to play with someone who is, this show offers a lot of jumping off points for building those skills. The noisy parts are delightful without being too loud, so if your kid has trouble with loud noises and the word “drumming” in the title gave you pause, don’t worry. The volume on this performance is very reasonable. Which is to say, not loud enough for my kid. (And we have now accounted for him repeatedly shouting KNOCK KNOCK from the back row. Sorry about that.)
The performance was warm, engaging, and convincing. I know the actors are adults, but they pulled off childlike charm beautifully and without any hint of falseness. Feeling came through at every twist of the story, and their expressive gestures and effective use of their faces made words completely unnecessary. The absence of dialogue also offers a really nice chance to direct your toddler or preschooler to visual and musical cues about what is going on with the story. My 2.5 year old was enchanted by the peek-a-boo portion of the program. (He actually liked it so much that he tried to make it onto the stage… yeah, he got over needing to hang back. Sorry about that, too.) Yours might prefer the Itsy Bitsy Spider or the snow, or any of many other charming moments.
You and your toddler or preschooler will enjoy the interaction, visual jokes, and the holiday music at Drumming with Dishes. You’ll also find that there is plenty to take home from the show- including the coloring and craft sheets provided to audience members at the end of the show. If you haven’t already made plans to attend, find a way to work it into your schedule. You’ll be glad you did! (And be sure to check the Arts on the Horizon schedule for upcoming events. Have fun!)
PS- The true test of any child-friendly venue is to go there with a kiddo who is at what we can nicely call a “challenging” stage of learning how to participate in the activity in question. There was not the least hint that anyone was annoyed by my two year old’s very “age appropriate” behavior- and that, to me, is all the proof you need that they deserve my heartfelt thanks for putting together a wonderful event that anyone would be pleased to enjoy with their child. We will, without a shadow of a doubt, be back.
