Theatre for Young Audiences at Miners Alley
Our Miners Alley Theatre for Young Audiences (MATYA) program is a year-round season of professional productions, especially for audience members ages 3-12 and their families! These shows are designed to introduce young children to live theatre.
What is a MATYA show?
Our plays are designed for the whole family, and they run just under an hour long. Some plays are based on familiar fairy tales and classic stories, while others are original new stories created by the artists working right here at Miners Alley.
Our interactive storytelling style includes opportunities for young audience members to participate throughout each play. This interactivity makes MATYA shows unique, compared to many children’s theatre experiences where children are expected to sit and watch the whole time. Here at Miners Alley, we want kids to feel like they belong here and can be part of the show!
What is it like to go to a MATYA show?
The professional cast of adult actors welcomes children and their family members in the lobby before each performance. As audiences enter the theater, they see the actors on stage and get to know them before the show begins. During each performance, the actors talk to the audience and often expect them to answer back. They even bring some kids on stage who volunteer to take part in the story! After each show, the cast is available for pictures and to say good-bye to the kids as they leave.
Speaking of pictures, parents are allowed to take photos before, during and after the show! (No flash photography, please.)
When can I see a MATYA show?
We have performances on Saturdays for the general public (that’s you, Mom & Dad!), and weekday performances for schools, homeschool families, and daycare centers. For elementary school teachers, we provide a study guide with show background and suggested pre- and post-show activities, directly linked to the Colorado Academic Standards for Drama for grades K-5. We also offer a short Q&A conversation between the cast and students after each performance.
In addition to one ticket price for kids and adults, we offer discounts for groups of 10+ and special rates for schools. Classes from Title I schools can attend shows for free and even receive transportation support – see here for details!
What else do I need to know before the show?
-Please plan to arrive at the theatre at least fifteen minutes before the show begins.
-No food is allowed inside the theatre, but beverages are welcome.
-We understand that young children may need a break mid-show! If you need to step out of the theatre with a child, you’re welcome to re-enter the show at any time.
-If your child is two years old or younger and does not need a separate seat, we will not charge your family for a ticket for a lap child.