• Determine if a show is acceptable for your child
- Is it a family show?
- Is the content appropriate for your child's age?
- How long is the performance?
- Does it have an intermission?

•Expecting a young child to sit through a 2 to 3 hour performance is probably unrealistic. Also younger children will be more attentive at a day time performance rather than an evening performance.

• Storybook shows are designed for family attendance.

• The shows are recommended for 3 years old children & up.

• The performance usually runs 1 hour to 1 hour and 15 minutes depending upon if there is an intermission at that performance.

• There are always intermissions on weekend performances and weekday performances during the last week in December and in July. Other weekdays do not have intermissions.

•Plan to arrive 30 minutes before curtain time
- Is the seating assigned or is it on a first come first serve basis?
- Be prepared to occupy your child before the show begins.

• Storybook's box office opens 1 hour prior to the show time. The theater doors open 30 minutes before show time.

• Seating for groups is pre-assigned for weekday shows. Individual ticket holders have a section (usually down front) saved for them. All seating on weekends (except for small groups) is general admission, first come-first-served.

• Available to parents at the performances are study guides to Storybook shows. These have a show synopsis and some activities which may help occupy your child's time.

• Eat before coming to the theater
- Some candy or snacks may be allowed in the theater but making a lot of noise unwrapping candy during the opening of the show is not good etiquette.
- Take your child to the restroom before the show starts or at the intermission.

• Storybook has a concession stand on show days that have an intermission.

• No drinks, popcorn, cookies/crackers, pretzels, or chips of any kind are allowed in the theaters where Storybook performances are held.

• Prepare your child for what is coming before attending the production
- For preschool-aged children explain that the lights will be turned off and it will be dark except for the lights on the stage.
- Remind your child that the actors are in costume and that it is pretend. They need to use their imaginations.
- If the play is based on a children's story, read the book or watch a video prior to the performance day. Children are often more comfortable with things that are familiar.

 • All theaters have aisle lights and emergency lighting systems.

• All Storybook plays are based a children's stories. The play may vary from the book as there are many versions of some stories available.

• The actors are live on stage unlike a movie, video, or TV. In some plays there may be a scary character that might frighten an unprepared child, such as the Wicked Witch in the "Wizard of Oz" or the Queen in "Snow White".

• Audience participation
- Teach your child that singing along or loud talking during the show are not allowed, unless an actor has asked for audience participation.
- If an actor calls for participation, be an example to your child and chime in.

• Storybook plays vary in terms of audience participation. Some have no audience participation and others have a small amount. All Storybook shows are musicals and are similar to a Broadway Musical style play designed for young audiences.

• There is usually a 'Meet and Greet The Actors' in the lobby after each performance.

• Theater etiquette
- All electronic devices need to be turned off. This includes such items as cell phones, beepers, cameras, pagers, ipods, and gaming devices
- Children need to remain seated while the actors perform as a courtesy to other patrons and for the actor's safety.
- If your child needs to speak with you remind them to keep their voices at a low level so as not to disturb others seated around them.
- Demonstrate appreciation for the actors by applauding appropriately.
- Do not leave the theater until the last bow has been taken.

• Electronic devices can be disturbing and distracting to the audience around you

• During some of the plays actors leave the stage and go into the aisles of the theater. If children are running or sitting in the aisles an accident may occur.

• Reactions from the audience are expected by the actors. Laughter, applause, gasps and the like are part of the theater experience. If your child gets overly frightened or very loud, Storybook kindly requests, as a courtesy to others in the audience, to please take the child from the theater until they have calmed down and are ready to return to their seat.