Chicago Children’s Theatre is Chicago’s premier professional theatre company dedicated to creating awe-inspiring theatrical productions and programs for our communities through inclusion and accessibility while inspiring young people and families to lead lives of adventure, courage, and curiosity. Our podcasts feature some of Chicago's best theatrical talent - writers, directors, actors and designers - producing professional quality audio stories for children and families.
Created, composed and starring Henry Golden-Starr Featuring Shannon Golden-Starr as Shannon and Lydia House as Mitten Chicago's elevated trains are the heartbeat of the city. It's more than just public transportation: riding a CTA El train is a chance to connect to new sounds, new neighborhoods and yourself. Take the Brown Line with Henry Golden-Starr on this super-fun musical commute. Get on board at Washington and Wells, press play and head north to Kimball Avenue – you never know what you'll see or who you'll meet on your way!
Is there anything more Chicago than turning a 100-year-old elevated train line into a park that connects several different diverse neighborhoods? Well... maybe the Chicago flag! Learn about both as you walk along on a Daddy/Daughter adventure with our narrator and her father as they learn about Chicago's past and present through all the wonders of its best known urban trail: The 606! Created by J. Sebastian Fabál and Jessica Fabál
recommended for ages 6 and up Written and performed by: Nicholas Davio and Jyl Fehrenkamp Music by: Nicholas Davio Magically Mixed and Edited by: Charlie Universe Longtime pals Jyl and Nick take a trip into Welles Park to escape the hustle and bustle of the city. Come along for the ride and learn a few fun facts about the park's 150-year history as you flex your mind and bend your brain! Take a breath in the Observation Station, strike a pose in the Gazebo and move mindfully into the mulch of the Nature Play Space. Nick and Jyl provide a series of suggestions on this gently guided journey that includes musical moves and natural grooves.
Starring Harper Merrill and Cooper Merrill Created by Shawn Pfautsch and Jessica Ridenour Montrose Point is famous for so many things like beaches, nature, and sports - all on the Lake Michigan shore... It is such an important part of living in Chicago that it feels like this beautiful spot has been there forever. But Montrose Point was born in 1934. In people years, that's pretty old. But in nature years, that makes Montrose Point basically a kid! So who better to tell you about what makes Montrose Point so interesting… than Montrose Point themself! From subway rocks to an army base, from a Magic Hedge to a fishhook pier… Welcome to... Montrose Point!
Written, Directed and Performed by Gaby Yuen-Morales Produced by Shawn Pfautsch Eat your way around Chinatown under the expert guidance of Gaby Yuen-Morales. Starting in Chinatown Square, you'll learn about the history of Chinese immigration and cuisine in Chicago, visiting three delicious locations, ending along the river in historic Ping Tom Memorial Park. Along the way, you'll also hear stories from Gaby's interviews with her own expert in Chinese food and history: her mom! An audio walking tour of Chinatown. To learn more and view the walking map, visit https://chicagochildrenstheatre.org/event/walk-through-food-chinatown/
Written, Directed and Performed by Sophia Mohammad and Kay Kron Produced by Shawn Pfautsch “Se Kainouria Varka Bika (I Got a New Boat)”, traditional Greek; performed and arranged by Jake Selah Artemis, who has been stuck in the Elysian Field for eternity, finally meets 9-year-old Sophia who has offered to show her around the West Loop. The only issue is that Artemis, impressed by the grandeur of the West Loop, keeps on confusing the West Loop with the Wondrous City of Olympus. Together Sophia and the Greek Goddess Artemis explore the wonders of the West Loop. Join them as Sophia takes Artemis to the Greek Town, Mary Bartelme Park, Skinner Park, Chicago Children's Theater, WNDR Museum, West Loop Public Library, Restaurant Row, and the Time Out Market. An audio walking tour of the West Loop. To learn more and view the walking map, visit https://chicagochildrenstheatre.org/event/you-say-olympus-i-say-west-loop/
Written, Directed and Performed by Leslie Ann Sheppard Produced by Shawn Pfautsch Ten-year-old Wisconsin-native Mary Jane and her parents go on her first adventure to Chicago. Listeners are encouraged to picnic with MJ in Palmer Square Park, tasting local favorites from sandwiches and empanadas (TropiCuba) to frozen, sweet treats (Mikos and The Freeze)! An audio walking tour of Palmer Square. To learn more and view the walking map, visit https://chicagochildrenstheatre.org/event/mjs-palmer-square-picnic-adventure/
Written and Directed by Lomai Featuring Claire Fluff Llewellyn, Celia Valerie and Jess Ridenour Produced by Shawn Pfautsch After reluctantly taking a trip with her Mother to Unity Park in Logan Square, a Young Girl befriends an eccentric Tree Keeper who teaches her the history of the area, while simultaneously engaging her imagination. An audio walking tour of Logan Square. To learn more and view the walking map, visit https://chicagochildrenstheatre.org/event/logan-learnin/
performed by: Javid Music Party produced by: Javid Music Party written by: Gregory Qaiyum Only one thing you need to know about Sonic Love Experiment #312: Listen to your heart. Join. Dance. Celebrate. RISE. An audio walking tour of Grant Park. To learn more and view the walking map, visit https://chicagochildrenstheatre.org/event/grant-park-sonic-love-experiment-312/
Written by Luis Tubens Starring Luis Tubens (Papi) and Honor Martinez (Pedro) Sound Designed by Yamil Rodriguez Series Announcing by Anthony Lombard IN SEARCH OF THE FLAG is an audio walking tour of Humboldt Park. To learn more and view the walking map, visit chicagochildrenstheatre.org/event/insearchoftheflag/ IN SEARCH OF THE FLAG is brought to you by Night Out In The Parks. Night Out in the Parks brings hundreds of diverse and unique cultural events to Chicago's neighborhood parks throughout the year. Learn more at chicagoparkdistrict.com/night-out-in-the-parks
Written and Directed by Tina Fakhrid-Deen Starring Pe'Tehn Jackson and Zachary L. Riley Produced, Engineered, and Sound Designed by Daniel Etti-Williams Series Announcing by Anthony Lombard SANKOFA is an audio walking tour of Ellis Park and Bronzeville. To learn more and view the walking map, visit chicagochildrenstheatre.org/event/sankofa/ SANKOFA is brought to you by Night Out In The Parks. Night Out in the Parks brings hundreds of diverse and unique cultural events to Chicago's neighborhood parks throughout the year. Learn more at chicagoparkdistrict.com/night-out-in-the-parks
Created by Shawn Pfautsch and Jessica Ridenour With performances by Shawn Pfautsch, Jessica Ridenour, Journei Gavin, and Dana Omar Season announcing by Anthony Lombard The Night Heron is an audio walking tour of Horner Park. To learn more and view the walking map, visit chicagochildrenstheatre.org/event/the-night-heron/ The Night Heron is brought to you by Night Out In The Parks. Night Out in the Parks brings hundreds of diverse and unique cultural events to Chicago's neighborhood parks throughout the year. Learn more at chicagoparkdistrict.com/night-out-in-the-parks
X-Marks the Spot is a five-part, serialized audio play based on Chicago Children's Theatre's acclaimed 2019 world premiere production of the same name, conceived and directed by CCT Artistic Director, Jacqui Russell. Like the original play, the podcast was designed with the visually impaired community in mind. That said, this exciting new family adventure is fantastic for all audiences, with a goal of inspiring young listeners to engage more deeply with all five of their senses. At a time when we are so tethered to our screens and disconnected more than ever from the sensory world, X-Marks the Spot is the “X-Tra Sensory” experience children truly need right now! Learn more here.
X-Marks the Spot is a five-part, serialized audio play based on Chicago Children's Theatre's acclaimed 2019 world premiere production of the same name, conceived and directed by CCT Artistic Director, Jacqui Russell. Like the original play, the podcast was designed with the visually impaired community in mind. That said, this exciting new family adventure is fantastic for all audiences, with a goal of inspiring young listeners to engage more deeply with all five of their senses. At a time when we are so tethered to our screens and disconnected more than ever from the sensory world, X-Marks the Spot is the “X-Tra Sensory” experience children truly need right now! Learn more here.
X-Marks the Spot is a five-part, serialized audio play based on Chicago Children's Theatre's acclaimed 2019 world premiere production of the same name, conceived and directed by CCT Artistic Director, Jacqui Russell. Like the original play, the podcast was designed with the visually impaired community in mind. That said, this exciting new family adventure is fantastic for all audiences, with a goal of inspiring young listeners to engage more deeply with all five of their senses. At a time when we are so tethered to our screens and disconnected more than ever from the sensory world, X-Marks the Spot is the “X-Tra Sensory” experience children truly need right now! Learn more here.
X-Marks the Spot is a five-part, serialized audio play based on Chicago Children's Theatre's acclaimed 2019 world premiere production of the same name, conceived and directed by CCT Artistic Director, Jacqui Russell. Like the original play, the podcast was designed with the visually impaired community in mind. That said, this exciting new family adventure is fantastic for all audiences, with a goal of inspiring young listeners to engage more deeply with all five of their senses. At a time when we are so tethered to our screens and disconnected more than ever from the sensory world, X-Marks the Spot is the “X-Tra Sensory” experience children truly need right now! Learn more here.
X-Marks the Spot is a five-part, serialized audio play based on Chicago Children's Theatre's acclaimed 2019 world premiere production of the same name, conceived and directed by CCT Artistic Director, Jacqui Russell. Like the original play, the podcast was designed with the visually impaired community in mind. That said, this exciting new family adventure is fantastic for all audiences, with a goal of inspiring young listeners to engage more deeply with all five of their senses. At a time when we are so tethered to our screens and disconnected more than ever from the sensory world, X-Marks the Spot is the “X-Tra Sensory” experience children truly need right now! Learn more here.
Created by Jessica Ridenour and Shawn Pfautsch, Written by Jessica Ridenour, Music by Shawn Pfautsch, Movement by Sydney Stier Saving Solstice is a story about Leora, a young girl who lives on a remote island, and when her annual Winter Solstice gathering is cancelled, she devises a plan to escape the island and save Solstice. Saving Solstice is a Move Along Story, designed to get everyone moving while we may not be able to leave the house. It is the middle of winter after all...
Written and Directed by Quenna Lené Barrett An audio walking tour of the South Shore Neighborhood To learn more, visit www.chicagochildrenstheatre.org
Created and Narrated by Jasmin Cardenas An audio walking tour of La Villita (Little Village) To learn more, visit www.chicagochildrenstheatre.org
Created by Shawn Pfautsch and Jessica Ridenour A walking tour of North Pond in Lincoln Park To learn more, visit www.chicagochildrenstheatre.org