Theater that Makes a Difference!

Blue Apple encourages children to talk with their parents or guardians about the experience of seeing a Blue Apple musical with their school group. Although we have learned that many teachers and parents attending performances are seeing musical theater for the first time, thousands of parents are not able to attend school day performances with their children.

In just two recent months, we were able to document 2,033 conversations between parents and children about their Blue Apple experience.

Following a 56% return rate of questionnaires, we learned that:

• 78% of students only attend theater with their schools
• Most parents reported being surprised that their child liked theater
• Many reported that they would now look for ways to incorporate theater into their family activities.

One of the most poignant comments was from the parent of a first grader who wrote:

“I think my child enjoyed the show (JOHNNY APPLESEED) very much and was very anxious to tell us about it. This show seemed to make Michael feel better about his Dad’s death.”

The child, in his own writing went on to tell us:

“I learned not to shoot people with slingshots…..the ocean and the stars and everything you see is someone you love that died”

This is the power of quality theater that speaks to the emotions shared by young and old.