Young People’s Theatre celebrates its 60th anniversary with the usual fine slate of programming aimed at, well, young people. ‘Forts’ is a unique interactive event aimed at the ages of 3 to 12.
YPT has always found vehicles for all ages, from crawling infants to toddlers to preteens – a big mandate with big success.
For each 60-minute session, a group of 35 youngsters and connected adults gather to build forts as we have done for years with blankets, furniture, boxes and anything else that parents may or may not allow.
Our animated hosts gather us in an anteroom where we remove our shoes, and anticipation builds. A very bright young man (I believe his name is Declan) raises his hand to ask a poignant question: What manner of materials will be used? Our host segues to the big reveal.
The dark curtain is pulled back, and the lights slowly build on a studio space with 5 or 6 giant pyramids of cardboard fun. The young ones move in with awe and joy.
Pyramids quickly disappear as the boxes, all shapes and sizes, are hoisted to various parts of the room. Towers are built and collapse in a sea of laughter. Tunnels, hideouts and secret spaces are built by both individuals and committees.
It is truly a community event as mothers gather on stuffy couches to gossip about children, and one father finds a dark corner to nap with his head hidden in a box.
It is a theatre after all and theatrical elements are engaged. Lights both fade and brighten, and sound effects are at times bold and often subtle – when children hear the sounds of wolves, they love to mimic them.
New elements are brought in – a raised box with tentacles creates an eerie circus-style tent for more fort building. Sheets are added to build new features with clothes pegs.
As darkness prevails and flashlights appear, we descend into The Lord of the Flies as bodies crawl through the darkness and strange murmurings illicit suspense.
Then – a turnabout. Bright lights once again, and disco music turns us into a dancing mob. Children crashing into boxes and parents doing – the swim?
Most kids said – they had fun! YPT also knows that this was a subtle way to immerse future theatregoers in space, sound, light, movement, and an appreciation for all things theatrical.
‘Forts’ conceived by Julie Ritchey
Creators: Eleanor Kahn, Jeffery Levin, Christian Libonati, Andrew Marikis, Carley Walker
Runs through: February 8, 2026.
Tickets: youngpeoplestheatre.org
Check out the website for a number of similar immersive programs for the very young.
