Why I Am Proud to Be Raising a Theatre Kid

If you’ve heard me talk about my job as Education Director at Music Theatre Philly, you have probably heard me refer to myself as a “nepo mommy.” Although my professional background is as a theatre educator and drama therapist, I found myself in the orbit of Music Theatre Philly the same way many of our families did, as a parent of a bonafide theatre kid. From the time my oldest daughter could walk, it was clear to everyone who knew her that she wanted to be on stage. We started her at MTP when she was four during a summer camp, and she has been hooked ever since.

What I did not fully anticipate then, but understand deeply now, is how profoundly theatre would shape her as a human being. Theatre is so much more than learning lines, songs, and choreography. It is a training ground for empathy, resilience, collaboration, and confidence. When children step into a character’s shoes, they practice seeing the world from perspectives beyond their own. They learn to ask, “Why does this person feel this way?” and “What would I do in that situation?” That kind of imaginative empathy builds emotional intelligence in ways few other activities can.

"Theatre also teaches children how to fail safely and try again. They miss cues. They forget lyrics. They do not get the role they hoped for. Then they come back the next day."

Theatre also teaches children how to fail safely and try again. They miss cues. They forget lyrics. They do not get the role they hoped for. And then they come back the next day. They learn that growth happens in rehearsal rooms, not just under stage lights. They experience firsthand that hard work, preparation, and perseverance lead to progress. In a world that often prioritizes instant results, theatre gives kids a powerful lesson in process over perfection.

One of the things that makes Music Theatre Philly so unique in our community is the environment it intentionally creates. This is not a competitive space where children are measured against one another. It is a space where they are encouraged to grow into themselves. Every child who walks through the door is celebrated for who they are and what they bring. Whether a student dreams of center stage or is just beginning to find their voice, the focus is on development, curiosity, and confidence. The result is a true sense of community. Kids cheer for one another. They form friendships across schools and ages. They learn that there is room for everyone in the story.

"They discover that being part of an ensemble means showing up prepared, being accountable, and contributing to something larger than themselves."

Equally important, theatre is inherently collaborative. No show exists because of one child alone. Kids learn to listen, to support their castmates, to celebrate others’ successes, and to understand that every role, onstage or backstage, matters. They discover that being part of an ensemble means showing up prepared, being accountable, and contributing to something larger than themselves. Those are life skills that carry far beyond the stage.

"That confidence does not stay in the theatre. It follows them into classrooms, friendships, interviews, and future challenges."

And then there is confidence, the kind that is earned. When a child stands under bright lights, heart pounding, and delivers their line or sings their big solo, something shifts. When they bow at the end of a performance, they are not just receiving applause. They are experiencing the reward of courage. That confidence does not stay in the theatre. It follows them into classrooms, friendships, interviews, and future challenges.

As both an educator and a parent, I have watched theatre help children find their voice, sometimes literally and sometimes metaphorically. I have seen shy kids grow into bold storytellers and energetic kids learn focus and discipline. I have seen friendships form because of a shared love of storytelling and a community that nurtures rather than compares. Raising a theatre kid means raising a child who knows how to express themselves, work with others, handle setbacks, and celebrate joy.

And now, I get to experience it all over again in a new way. My three year old is enrolled in dance classes at MTP, and while her love for the stage looks different from her sister’s, it is just as meaningful. She may not be belting show tunes around the house, but she lights up when the music starts and finds joy in movement that is entirely her own. Watching her grow, gain coordination, build confidence, and develop a love for dance that is unique to her reminds me that the arts meet every child exactly where they are. There is no single way to be a theatre kid. There is only the magic of discovering what makes you feel alive.

And that is something I will always be proud of.