Let's PLAY!

Let’s PLAY!

Let’s PLAY! Is a series of virtual experiences provided for various age groups by the Theatre Memphis Department of Outreach and Education that combine a task-based learning component with a presentation-based final product. Each experience will allow children to learn a skill, either by creating something tangible using a list of supplies or by creating a performance piece using their bodies and voices. Each experience will culminate with a performance or presentation opportunity that can be documented and sent back to Theatre Memphis for review. New videos will be released every week, so come back and PLAY as many times as you like!

How it Works: Choose an experience and follow the instructions to sign up. Once you have registered and submitted your payment you will receive an email with information on how to access your instructional video for when you are ready to enjoy the experience. Each experience will be labeled with the estimated amount of time it will take to be completed, as well as a list of necessary items required for completion. Some experiences may require extra supplies to be gathered, purchased, or even picked up from Theatre Memphis, so please be aware of those necessities before signing up for videos that require them. Once the experience is completed, Theatre Memphis would love to see what you’ve created! We ask that all those that participate be willing to video and/or photograph their performance or presentational component and send it back for review so we can see what you’ve created!

Cost of Experience: $25 per instructional video

We kindly ask that you share the video only with members of your household. We appreciate separate households not sharing access with other households as a goodwill gesture towards Theatre Memphis. All proceeds from these virtual experiences will go to the Theatre Memphis Department of Outreach and Education.

To purchase an experience, contact Lena Wallace Black.

Please allow 2 business days after your purchase for your supplies and video to be available, though some may be available sooner. You will be contacted via email when your supplies are ready. The email will include the private link to your video experience. By sending Theatre Memphis the requested footage and photographs, you agree to allow Theatre Memphis the of use your videos and photos for promotional purposes.

Let’s Play: Creating A Stage Manager's Script

Join Theatre Memphis’ Production Stage Manager and Volunteer Coordinator Amy Salerno Hale as she teaches you tips and tricks for how to mark your script and fill out the preliminary paperwork needed to keep your stage management process organized and properly notated.

Age Range: Appropriate for any age interested in detailed stage management techniques. Adults encouraged!
Supplies provided by Theatre Memphis: Paper copies of all necessary documents as well as PDF versions if interested, a paper copy of the example script, gum tabs for marking script sections
Other supplies necessary: pencils, multiple pen colors, multiple highlighter colors, white-out, erasers.
Length of video: 30 minutes
Projected time to complete project: 3+ hours to properly go through the script and notate all essential items in the script and on the paperwork.
What we need from you when your project is complete: A video or you showing Amy examples of the organization techniques she's shown you on the documents and script you have been provided.

Let’s PLAY: Scenic Watercolor Painting

Join Theatre Memphis’ Resident Scenic Designer Jack Yates as he teaches you how to fill in a replica of a scenic backdrop he designed for our upcoming production of Hello, Dolly! with watercolor and markers!

Age Range: Appropriate for all ages, minimal adult supervision required, however, the video is very detailed and includes some advanced techniques that may be harder to master for younger children.
Supplies provided by Theatre Memphis: Black and white sketch printed on watercolor paper, extra piece of watercolor paper to test colors on, a digital PDF of the sketch if you would like to print other copies.
Other supplies necessary: a set of watercolors, at least one small paintbrush, but having varying sizes on hand could be helpful, a cup of water, thin line markers, a ruler or straight edge of some sort, a plastic surface for mixing paint, painters tape is also suggested if you'd like to tape down the watercolor paper.
Length of video: 1 Hour and 25 Minutes
Projected time to complete project: 2 hours (includes drying time.)
What we need from you when your project is complete: A photograph of your completed painting!

Let’s PLAY: Super Hero!

Join Theatre Memphis’ Costume Shop Supervisor Heather Steward as she teaches you how to make your own Super Hero cape! Then, use your cape to create your own Super Hero adventure!

Age Range: Appropriate for ages 5-12, adult supervision may be required for ironing, cutting, and sewing, depending on your child’s skill level
Supplies provided by Theatre Memphis: Pillowcase, ribbon, safety pin.
Other supplies necessary: Felt, glue, needle and thread, a clothing iron
Length of video: 13 minutes
Projected time to complete project: 25-30 minutes, depending on the amount of decoration desired
What we need from you when your project is complete: A video of your superhero performance! Other photos and videos of you completing your project are also encouraged!

Let’s Play: Color Theory!

Join Theatre Memphis’ Resident Lighting Designer Mandy Heath as she teaches you all about color theory in theatrical lighting. Then, you get to experiment with colored light on your own and to create your own scenes with colored gels and flashlights!

Age Range: Appropriate for all ages, minimal adult supervision required
Supplies provided by Theatre Memphis: Colored Gels, rubber bands, several charts for illustration
Other supplies necessary: 3 flashlights, any toy or object that you like, possibly some tape
Length of video: 20 minutes
Projected time to complete project: 10-30 minutes or more, depending on how much experimenting you’d like to do!
What we need from you when your project is complete: A video of your completed scene using your new colored lighting design knowledge! Other photos and videos of you completing your project are also encouraged!

Let’s PLAY: With Tulle- the Tutu Tutorial!

Join Theatre Memphis’ Resident Costume Designer Amie Eoff as she walks you through making your very own tutu, and then create a performance of your very own using your new costume piece!

Age Range: Appropriate for ages 5-12, adult supervision may be required for cutting and measuring, depending on your child’s skill level
Supplies provided by Theatre Memphis: Tulle, Ribbon
Other supplies necessary: Ruler or measuring tape, Marker, 2 chairs (if tying onto ribbon is easier that way!)
Length of video: 13 minutes
Projected time to complete project: approximately 30 minutes to an hour to complete tutu, approximately 30 minutes to create and film the performance prompt
What we need from you when your project is complete: A video of your new dance in your tutu! Other photos and videos of you completing your project are also encouraged!

Let’s PLAY: Building your own Proscenium Model Box

Join Theatre Memphis’ Assistant Technical Director Sky Bradley as they walk you through the steps of creating your own miniature scenic model box so that you can create your own stage pictures at home.

Age Range: Appropriate for any age interested in having their own theatrical model box- adult supervision may be required for gluing and guidance, depending on your child’s skill level
Supplies provided by Theatre Memphis: all wood pieces, joining biscuits, and wood glue
Other supplies necessary: None required, but once your model box is complete, it can be decorated with any desired craft materials.
Length of video: 20 minutes
Projected time to complete project: approximately 20-30 minutes to complete the first piece of construction while watching the video, then a 24 hour drying period. Another 10-15 minutes to construct the second part, followed by another 24 hour drying period.
What we need from you when your project is complete: A video of you walking us through your scene presentation! Prompts for the presentation are explained in the video. Other photos and videos of you completing your project are also encouraged!