PHILADELPHIA, PA – What if going to the theatre also meant getting to help make the show? This November, Curio Theatre Company invites its youngest audience members to do exactly that with Anansi the Spider: A Make/Partake Experience, an interactive family production inspired by an African fable from the Ashanti people of Ghana. Designed for children ages 3 and up, the production runs November 6 through 22 at Curio Theatre Company in West Philadelphia.
Instead of simply sitting back and watching, children become part of the theatrical experience. Through Curio’s Make/Partake format which they pioneered in 2021, young audience members get hands-on with the world of the production, making props, creating sound effects and even helping control the weather before seeing their contributions become part of the story.
Anansi the Spider is inspired by traditional stories of Anansi, the beloved trickster figure of the Akan people of Ghana and other parts of West Africa. Anansi dreams of becoming the keeper of all the world’s stories, so he goes to Nyame, the Sky God, to make his request. Nyame challenges Anansi to capture a python, a leopard, and a swarm of hornets. Using his cleverness, creativity, and trickster ways, Anansi outwits each creature and brings them back to Nyame. Having completed the challenge, Anansi earns the right to become the keeper of all stories. This isn’t a story audiences simply watch, it’s a story they help create! Young audience members become part of the performance, using their imagination and creativity to help Anansi on his journey. Through interactive storytelling, movement, play, and hands-on activities, children step into Anansi’s world and discover that sometimes the greatest power isn’t strength, it’s a good story.
Directed by Mya Flood, Anansi the Spider: A Make/Partake Experience features performances by Jerome Scott, Taahira Teshi, and Janaan Ashton.
Anansi the Spider: A Make/Partake Experience begins with a preview performance Friday, November 6 at 6 PM. The production opens Saturday, November 7 and runs through Sunday, November 22, with performances Saturdays at 11 AM and 1 PM and Sundays at 1 PM.
Tickets are $20 for adults and $15 for children. Preview tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for children. For more information visit www.curiotheatre.org/
VENUE:
Curio Theatre Company
4740 Baltimore Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19143
SHOW SCHEDULE
Friday, November 6 at 6 PM – Preview
Saturday, November 7 at 11 AM – Opening
Saturday, November 7 at 1 PM
Sunday, November 8 at 1 PM
Saturday, November 14 at 11 AM and 1 PM
Sunday, November 15 at 1 PM
Saturday, November 21 at 11 AM and 1 PM
Sunday, November 22 at 1 PM
ABOUT CURIO THEATRE COMPANY
Curio Theatre Company’s mission is to serve audiences in West Philadelphia and beyond with high quality, affordable theatre performances; to develop artistic talent through ensemble, company based training and rehearsal processes; and to further academic, social, and personal development through arts education.
The Company operated from 2001 as a touring and outreach company composed of professional artists and administrators in the Philadelphia region before being incorporated as a non-profit organization in October 2004. In January 2005, Curio joined in partnership with the Calvary Center for Culture and Community at 4740 Baltimore Avenue, Philadelphia. Since 2004, their programming has consisted of productions and education. They produce 3 – 4 shows a year on average for the public. Beyond productions, they also run a theatre school for the local West Philadelphia students, as well as a theatre camp that runs throughout July. Twelve years ago, the Education Department introduced a new program called Curiositeens. This is a free program for local teenagers that runs throughout the school year, and offers the students a chance to go deeper into their theatrical training.
Theater/Organization: Curio Theatre Company
Theater Address: 4740 Baltimore Ave, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19143 (Map It)
