On the surface, children’s theater seems simple: a few over-the-top characters, some brightly-colored costumes, a simple plot borrowed from a children’s book and maybe a catchy song or two. It’s an hour spent together as family, then it is back to the “real world,” as the on-stage images fade into a distant memory. Children’s theater and youth drama programs have a powerful impact on children and their development. Studies show that engaging in imaginative activities like theater fosters increased intelligence. Seeing the world through a new perspective helps young minds imagine new worlds, new possibilities, and new ideas. Children who attend live theater have shown greater tolerance of different people and ideas, as well as increased empathy for others. They show a better understanding of reading materials and they view social study concepts in a new light as history comes alive in front of their eyes. There is no doubt that theater not only entertains, but also enhances children’s lives in many ways.

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The Pipestone Performing Arts Center and the Calumet Players have provided children’s theater programming to the Pipestone community for many years. We are proud this tradition has continued, and we are thankful to the many volunteers who make youth drama an opportunity to our area’s youth. It takes hours of rehearsal, organization, script reading, set building and costume creation to bring this programming to our stage. We are indebted to the volunteers for their service to the Pipestone Performing Arts Center and it’s resident community theater group the Calumet Players.