Young People’s Theatre has been nurturing young hearts and minds for 60 years, so this holiday season, give your child the precious gift experience of discovering theatre. Not only is it beneficial for children to engage with the arts early, but seeing theatre at a young age could be the start of a fun hobby or even an artistic passion!
Certainly, there is no better place for a child to see their first stage presentations than at a theatre company dedicated to kids! From fantastically adventurous romps to eye-opening and relevant productions, their shows reflect the many ways that young people see the world around them. âOver six decades, our programming has supported millions of young people in growing their confidence and their connection to others through the power of theatre,â says Herbie Barnes, YPTâs Artistic Director. âThis season, we celebrate 60 years by doing what YPT does best: sharing stories that help young people find their place in the world.â
YPT’s exciting 60th Anniversary Season is packed with compelling productions for every kind of theatre fan! First up, families can join Shrek and a kaleidoscopic crew of fairy tale misfits in the ogre-the-top holiday musical âShrek The Musicalâ. Then, in the new year, audiences can look forward to a fresh reimagining of an award-winning and Munsch-loved family play, as well as innovative productions for preschoolers, and inspiring dance-theatre fusion for pre-teens and teenagers.
Gifts to See Young People’s Theatre Shows are Always a Smash Hit!
Toronto’s premier company of theatre for young audiences, Young People’s Theatre, offers compelling productions throughout the theatre season, and beyond! Currently playing on the Ada Slaight Stage, families can stomp into the swamp with “Shrek The Musical”. This ogre-sized show is full of zany humour, exciting bravery, heartwarming honesty, and plenty of crazy hijinks.
Bursting with catchy tunes and laugh-out-loud moments, âShrek The Musicalâ is the greatest fairy tale never told! Just like ogres and onions, you can peel back the layers of fun when you join Shrek and his friends and foes, including a fierce warrior princess with a secret, a wisecracking donkey with a taste for waffles, a loud-mouthed and pint-sized villain, and even a cookie with an attitude. Based on the OscarÂŽ-winning, smash-hit DreamWorks animated ďŹlm and the book by William Steig, this production is the feel-good musical of the year and a holiday show youâll never forget.
Even better, this ogre-sized production runs until December 30. This is especially handy for families in need of activities to occupy their kids during the winter holiday break!
There’s Even More Artistic Innovation To Look Forward to in YPT’s 25-26 Season!
Young People’s Theatre continues its fun-filled and soul-stirring lineup of shows into the new year, so don’t miss any of the action! With gift experiences at YPT, your family can experience the vast world of the theatre through a child’s eyes.
First, in February, “Tree” is a highly multi-sensory production by ThÊâtre Motus. This production strives to interact with the youngest generation of theatregoers, perfect for children ages six months to three years. Give your child an enthralling introduction to live theatre, with a small audience size, live music, glowing lights and gentle puppets. Furthermore, there is also a performance intended for those with Autism Spectrum Disorder, intellectual disabilities, and/or reduced mobility.
Next, in February/March, YPT returns with the Dora Award-winning classic play, “Love You Forever and More Munsch”. Audiences of all ages will delight in the wacky world of Canadaâs best-loved storyteller as this whimsical show comes to life in the theatre. Your favourite Munsch characters, like Mortimer and the Paper Bag Princess, leap from the page to the stage! This play is a celebration of family, with all its funny frustrations and cherished bonds.
Lastly, for the season finale, teens will connect deeply with “Boys With Cars” by playwright/actor Anita Majumdar. Filled with powerful performances, this award-winning production is a bold fusion of theatre and classical Indian dance. Backed by a thumping hip-hop Bollywood soundtrack, this show explores the messy realities of clashing cultures, consent, and privilege.
In addition, YPT has a full slate of ongoing events, from theatre to choirs, mini-concerts and more. These include Room For Play, Friday Playdate, Songs of the Seasons, YPT Choir, Storytime in the Studio, and Forts!
Find out more about their ticketing info here!
Young Peopleâs Theatre (YPT) Gift Experiences
Date: Theatre Season runs until May 2026
Venue:Â Young Peopleâs Theatre
Address:Â 165 Front St. East, Toronto
Phone:Â 416-862-2222
Facebook:Â @YoungPeoplesTheatre
Instagram:Â @ypttoronto
YouTube:Â @YoungPeoplesTheatre
Website:Â www.youngpeoplestheatre.org
Get more great ideas for thoughtful family gift experiences with our full Gift Guide!
