Building Community Through Theater at Music Theatre Philly

Discover how Music Theatre Philly fosters friendship, confidence, and inter-generational connection through theatre programs for kids, teens, and adults.

In the post I wrote last month for our MTP blog, I shared a bit about the magic of raising a theatre kid. One thing I only briefly touched on was the incredible sense of community that theatre kids build with one another.

Since its inception, Music Theatre Philly has always been rooted in the belief that the arts can help young people form meaningful friendships. Over the past few years, something especially powerful has taken shape at MTP. These friendships have grown beyond the classroom and evolved into a truly inter-generational community, one that connects our youngest performers all the way through our teens and now even into our adult company, the MTP Players.

Last spring, we did something really special. We produced the same show across two age groups. Our 1st through 6th graders performed Seussical Jr., while our 7th through 12th graders performed the full Seussical. And something shifted. 

Our youngest students became deeply invested in their teen counterparts. They were curious about who was playing the same roles, watching rehearsal clips, and cheering them on. Our teens, in turn, showed up in ways that went far beyond expectation. They commented on videos, encouraged younger performers, and even learned their names. The look on a young performer’s face when a teenager they admire recognizes them is something you cannot manufacture. It is pure magic.

"At the end of each show, we invited any cast member, regardless of age, to join the final number on stage."

That sense of connection culminated in one of my favorite moments at MTP. Both productions of Seussical ended with the song “Green Eggs and Ham,” and Tim and Jenna collaborated to create shared choreography across both casts. At the end of each show, we invited any cast member, regardless of age, to join the final number on stage. Watching our 1st through 6th graders rush the stage during the teen performance to dance alongside their theatre heroes is a moment I will never forget. Just as powerful was seeing our teens show up for the younger cast, clapping, cheering, and dancing with them, coming from the audience and backstage where they volunteered.

The success of this model was so clear that we are doing it again this year with Shrek. On a personal note, I have had a front row seat to just how meaningful this community can be. My daughter is playing Lord Farquaad in one of our 1st through 6th grade productions, and at our adult production of Xanadu this January, three of the four students cast as Farquaad were there. Naturally, they dubbed themselves “The Far-Squad.” I truly do not think my eight year old will ever recover, in the best way. She is already counting down the days until she gets to join her teen inspirations on stage for “I’m a Believer” this May.

What is even more beautiful is that this sense of community does not stop at our studio doors. In our own family, we have spent weekends traveling across the tri-state area to support middle and high school productions featuring MTP students. If you are looking for an affordable and meaningful way to support the arts, go see a local school show! (I should also note, tickets for our spring productions of Shrek and Shrek Jr. are also on sale now!) The way that she beams when she sees her friends on stage, has been really fun for both of us to experience together. 

This fall, with the introduction of MTP Players, our adult theatre company, that sense of inter-generational connection has grown even stronger. Now our students have an entirely new group of performers to look up to, including parents, professionals, and even their own teachers. Our students were so excited to see what the adults created in Xanadu, and there is already buzz about Urinetown this June, especially since they will get to see their beloved Ms. Jenna shine as Ms. Pennywise.

We have also seen incredible growth in how our teens step into leadership within our community. Their involvement as volunteers in rehearsals and backstage has been so impactful that we are officially launching a Teen Internship Program this summer.

"Our interns will take on meaningful roles, including leading games, assisting choreographers and music directors, and mentoring younger campers from Pre-K through 6th grade."

Our interns will take on meaningful roles, including leading games, assisting choreographers and music directors, and mentoring younger campers from Pre-K through 6th grade. They will also participate in a training led by our administrative team that focuses on the educational and behind the scenes aspects of theatre. This includes learning how to support students with different learning styles, working with neurodivergent performers, and understanding what it takes to mount a production in a fast paced camp setting.

More than anything, this program is about giving our teens the opportunity to grow as leaders, collaborators, and role models. It is a chance to build skills in communication, teamwork, and creative problem solving while continuing to deepen their connection to this community.

At Music Theatre Philly, we are so proud of the community we have built. It is not just about putting on shows. It is about creating a space where young people feel seen, supported, and inspired by one another across ages and experiences.

And truly, we cannot wait to see what grows next.