The Rose Theater is one of Omaha’s best options for indoor family entertainment. My family especially loves seeing the holiday shows. Dating back to 1948, the restored theater offers a variety of plays throughout the year geared toward children and families.
The performances at the Rose are filled with music, dancing, and beautiful sets. Each play is entertaining and appropriate for children, including a special program brochure for kids. The brochure has information, activities, and questions to discuss the play with your child before and after the performance.
Some events are interactive, giving props to the audience to encourage participation and/or movement. My children loved Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer this past December. Not only was it a great holiday show, but the kids got to answer questions, and sing along while wearing a Rudolph nose.
The theater consistently works to accommodate all children and families. They offer sensory-friendly performances, where they limit the noises, flashing lights, and the amount of people in the cast. These performances allow children to move around and make noise, if needed. During any other show, if your child needs a break, there is a separate room available for kids to calm down or get their wiggles out.
Additionally, the theater has sign language interpretation available at some performances, along with assistive listening devices, audio description services, and large print and braille programs. There is also wheelchair access to the theater and courtesy wheelchairs are available.
In addition to performances, the Rose Theater offers a variety of theater classes for all ages and abilities. Members receive discounts for the classes. Their membership for a family is currently $75 and includes four tickets to six regular season shows. These shows are one hour long, perfect for kid’s attention span. Members also receive discounted tickets to premium shows, which are typically 90 to 120 minutes long, with a short intermission.
If you have not checked out the Rose Theater, make a point of attending one of their lively and thoughtful performances. Also, do not miss out on their summer camps, which fill up quickly.
