News

Theatre for the Very Young Returns to RLT with More Stories, Music, and Play

Raleigh Little Theatre is delighted to announce the return – and expansion – of its Theatre for the Very Young (TVY) programming for the 2025-2026 season. Building on the enthusiastic audience response to last season’s All Smiles, RLT will present three interactive, sensory-friendly productions designed especially for children ages zero to five, each directed by Flora Bare. All shows invite young audiences to explore storytelling through movement, music, and play – with “wiggles welcome” at every performance.

Theatre for the Very Young supports early childhood cognitive development while introducing young audiences to narrative storytelling, creative play, and social-emotional learning in a fun, approachable way. These interactive performances welcome movement, vocalization, and exploration, creating a space where children and their caregivers can engage together.

“Theatre for the Very Young holds a special place in my heart – it’s where wonder, play, and connection come alive for our youngest theatergoers,” says director Flora Bare. “As a parent of a curious and imaginative three-year-old and six-year-old, I’ve seen firsthand how powerful these early experiences can be. I’m thrilled to be directing all three TVY shows this year, and I can’t wait to create magical moments that spark imagination, joy, and a lasting love for storytelling.”

RLT’s 2025-2026 TVY season includes:

• The Wheels on the Bus | By Ernie Nolan | August 27 – September 7, 2025
  All aboard! Bert the Bus Driver is ready to take little passengers on an unforgettable ride through a town full of colorful characters and comic conundrums. Young audience members will help navigate the route and sing along as the wipers swish, the horn beeps, and passengers “move on back.”
• Música, Música, Máximo, Música | By CQ Quintana | March 4 – 15, 2026
  Join Máximo and his ukulele-strumming kitten, Mandito, as they discover the rhythms of life. This interactive story blends live music, dance, puppetry, and Spanish language into a heartwarming celebration of connection and creativity.
• Dinosaur! | Created by Alliance Theatre | May 27 – June 7, 2026
  What happens when your everyday life is interrupted by dinosaurs? One young dino-lover finds out as apatosauruses, pterodactyls, and other prehistoric friends transform ordinary moments into epic adventures. Expect roaring laughter and big imaginations!

Performance Schedule:

Wednesdays – Fridays at 10:00am & 11:15am
Saturdays and Sundays at 10:00am, 11:15am & 12:30pm

Tickets:

Adults – $10 | Children under 12 – $5 | Infants under 1 – Free

Tickets are on sale now at RaleighLittleTheatre.org. For preschools, childcare centers, and other groups interested in purchasing a block of tickets or reserving a full performance, please email BoxOffice@nullRaleighLittleTheatre.org.

About Raleigh Little Theatre

Founded in 1936, Raleigh Little Theatre (RLT) is one of the oldest, continuously operating, community theatres in the United States. RLT offers entertainment, education, and community programs year-round, reaching 40,000 people. As a community theatre, RLT engages hundreds of volunteers, under the guidance of professional staff, to achieve its mission and to bring quality live theatre to the Triangle area. Visit www.RaleighLittleTheatre.org for more information. 

Follow Raleigh Little Theatre on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter @RLT1936

For media inquiries, contact Megan Farrell, Marketing Manager, at Megan@nullRaleighLittleTheatre.org or by phone at 919-821-4579 x 234.