CoMMA's 'Family Stage Series' brings kid-friendly shows to 2026-27 lineup
Calling all kids and their families and friends. CoMMA Performing Arts Center is welcoming a brand-new series this year that will bring excitement and joy to children of all ages.
After visiting a youth and family showcase event where they were able to see various acts, CoMMA staff created the "FamilyStage Series! Wiggles & Giggles are Welcome."
"There is so much amazing talent out there and we knew we needed to create something for the younger generation," Events Manager Amber Austin said.
The summer theatre camp that CoMMA has hosted for youth has expanded interest in the theater arts.
"These children are our future audience, so we want to introduce them to theatre at a young age," Austin said. "There is a big need that we see for the younger generation, and we are so excited to offer the FamilyStage Series in this upcoming year's show lineup."
Four different shows will be included in the FamilyStage Series through the upcoming season at COMMA including:
* Donna Washington: Fun, Foolery & Folktales (Aug. 1 - 11 a.m.) - Get ready to take an unforgettable journey with Donna Washington. You might visit the North Wind, hang out with an exasperated turtle, find out why possum plays dead, or find out why the Sun and Moon live in the sky. Audiences will laugh, play along and leave with a story or two of their own to share. Washington is an award-winning internationally known master storyteller, artist-educator and author who has been performing for audiences of all ages for more than 36 years.
* The Magic of Jeki Yoo (Nov. 7 - 11 a.m. ) - More than 13 million people watched JEKI on "America's Got Talent" as he performed his own unique style of close-up magic. Simon Cowell was left stunned by what he had just witnessed. JEKI won the hearts of a nation. Social media was abuzz ... "Love your Laugh" and "Jeki is so cool." Wins come in many forms. Especially when AGT's Twitter feed dubbed him "The Cutest Magician of All Time!"
* The Barter Players - Frosty: A Musical Adventure (Dec. 19 - 2 and 7 p.m.) - A young orphan named Billy discovers magic in a stolen hat, and when he places it on a snowman's head, that snowman comes to life. Can Frosty help Billy find his real family in time for Christmas? Join them on a thrilling quest through New York City as they discover the real magic of the season is love.
* The Barter Players: Peter Pan (Feb. 6, 2027 - 2 p.m.) - Wendy and her brothers love to play make-believe in their nursery. Then one night, a young boy named Peter Pan flies in through the window and whisks them away to Neverland filled with Lost Boys, pirates and a man-eating crocodile. Brought to life with six quick-changing actors, the Barter Players make this an adventure you will never forget.
Each of these shows are inclusive to the younger audience and encourages "wiggles and giggles" and has matinee times as well. Tickets for each event are $13, plus tax.
The full CoMMA season lineup will be released in July, so stay tuned for that announcement.
There will also be opportunities for teenagers this summer to participate in three different theatre technology education workshops.
These workshop opportunities are being offered to rising ninth graders through rising 12th graders. They will all run on specific days from 9-11 a.m. and will cost $25 per workshop. You can register online by going to commaonline.org and going to the events page. There are only 16 spots available for each workshop.
Monday, July 20 - Stagecraft: Set Design Concepts
This workshop will cover stage directions, stage safety, design concepts and hardware. The workshop will include drawing and building small set parts. No tools required.
Wednesday, July 22 - Intro to Lighting
This workshop will offer hands-on opportunities to work with a real-time lighting console after covering the basics of different types of light fixtures, how they work, trouble shooting and repairs.
Friday, July 24 - Intro to Audio
This workshop will offer an understanding of basic audio concepts through experiencing how to set up audio equipment with hands-on opportunities to work with audio consoles. Real-time audio exercises will be created and explored.
Completion of all three workshops will lead to an opportunity for participants to apply for an internship for backstage assistance with our 2026-27 FamilyStage productions.
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