Outside the Box
The Rose Theater is committed to being your partner in helping the young people in your life develop their creativity, imaginations and confidence. From the earliest age, we believe that creative play is essential to a healthy childhood. We are excited to offer “Outside the Box” for young students to uncover new ideas about the world around them and for parents to engage with their children in new and exciting ways.
What is the Outside the Box Series?
There are so many AWESOME opportunities to learn and grow on screens right now! So many ways for little minds to create and explore! But we want to make sure we are helping you explore outside of the digital box with your family and friends.
“Outside the Box” activity sheets are published as a part of The Rose Theater’s First Stage series and are distributed at Little Libraries and other locations around the Omaha area!
Each month you will find:
- A Think!
Brainstorm and discuss between child and caregiver about our theme of the month. - A Do!
Move, Create, or Act out an activity specially created for our littlest learners. - An Explore!
Finding new ways to take in and observe outside world.
APRIL
Theme: Trees!
Discuss the following questions:
•Where do you see trees?
• What colors do trees have?
• How many different shapes and colors of trees can you see?
• Call a family member or friend. Do they have trees like yours?
• What does tree bark fee like? What do leaves feel like?
• How tall do you think a tree is? Are there different sizes of trees?
Act like Trees!
Trees are very important for us and Earth! Did you kow that trees give us the air we breathe? Trees also provide shade to cool us off . Some trees grow food that feed us and the animals outside. Trees are also homes for different animals!
You and the people in your home are going to act out different things about trees and things you do in, on, or by a tree.
Step One: What are the different parts of a tree? Act out those parts with your body.
Step Two: What are different types of animals that live in trees? Act out how animals can make a home in a tree.
Step Three: What are different things you can do by a tree? Act out different activities you can do while by a tree.
Leaf Rubbing!
You will need crayons and this paper for this explore! Leaves are unique like snowflakes, each of them is different! Go outside with an adult’s permission and find 2-4 leaves. Make sure you take them off the ground and not from a tree. Flip this paper over and put the leaf under the paper. With your favorite color, carefully ‘rub’ the crayon on the paper where the leaf is underneath.
This is a video to show you how:
Make sure to take a picture of the final product and send it to the Rose!
Outside the Box -- Audio Adventure- The Grand Canyon!
About First Stage
Recognizing that theater has benefits for children of all ages, The Rose’s FIRST STAGE series gives young theatergoers and audiences with special needs an opportunity to experience the theater arts. FIRST STAGE productions are recommended for preschoolers, children with sensory needs, children on the autism spectrum or other special needs, or others who desire a gentler theater experience.
FIRST STAGE productions are presented on The Rose’s Hitchcock Stage, a smaller, black-box style performance space located on the theater’s fourth floor. This theater space allows for unique seating arrangements, often with flexible seating options that change with each show, such as beanbags, floor cushions or benches arranged in the round. This allows for more one-on-one interaction with the actors; young audience members are often invited into the performance space or asked to hold props to help tell the story.
FIRST STAGE productions also encourage audience members to move along with the performers and respond vocally to what is happening on stage. Periods of darkness and loud sounds are kept to a minimum — and often not used at all — to accommodate audience members with sensory needs.
“We make this an inviting and engaging experience that will inspire early learners to want to see even more of what theater has to offer. FIRST STAGE is more than just a child’s first time in the theater; it helps them take their first steps into a lifelong appreciation of the arts,” says Rose Artistic Director Matthew Gutschick.
Due to COVID-19, FIRST STAGE performances are temporarily on hold for the 2020-21 season, but The Rose continues to look for new ways — such as Outside the Box — where we can reach out and inspire our youngest audience members.
