There’s nothing like live theater when you’re looking for the ideal family outing. Whether you frequently make the trip to New York City to catch Broadway shows or you’re new to the world of plays and performances, you can’t go wrong by heading to a local community theater to catch a show. Kids are sure to delight in seeing the lights and hearing the sounds that come with live theater, inspiring a love of the arts for years to come.

Still, if you don’t where to look for live theater in your area, finding a place to catch a show can feel more like a challenge than a fun opportunity. That’s where Crème de la Crème of Mount Laurel comes in. We’ve put together this list of six awesome theaters close to home to get you started. From musicals to dramas, comedies to mysteries and more, our local area has it all.

Burlington County Footlighters

A musical is performed at a theater near Mount Laurel, New Jersey

people standing on stage with lights turned on during nighttime” used with permission via Unsplash by introspectivedsgn

You don’t have to travel far to experience a great theater. With Burlington County Footlighters on your list, you’ll get to experience local productions and build a love of theater-going in your kiddos for years to come. Located in Cinnaminson, Burlington County Footlighters strive to encourage the appreciation of cultural programming and to provide a place for non-professionals to explore their creativity. Burlington County Footlighters also provide arts education for young people in the area, so if your child is feeling inspired after taking in a fun performance, you can check out their summer camp as well.

As for the shows, there’s something for everyone here. You’ll find musicals based on favorite Disney movies, funny, heartwarming tales, and dramatic offerings. No matter your family’s taste in theater, you can look to Burlington County Footlighters to have you covered when you’re planning a trip to see a show.

Moorestown Theater Company

Get tickets to a production at Moorestown Theater Company to see local theater at its best. This nonprofit organization is just a short drive from Mount Laurel, offering the perfect opportunity to give your kids an introduction to live theater. They hold auditions but never cut anyone from a show, so the company makes it easy for anyone to get involved with performing, too.

Haddonfield Plays and Players

Haddonfield Plays and Players is where dedicated locals come together to deliver quality theater at affordable prices to Delaware Valley audiences. This creative outlet for non-professionals develops an atmosphere perfect for seeing a show as a family. The nonprofit theater features a huge array of productions, so whether you’re interested in comedies, mysteries, or musicals, you’ll find a great show to pencil in your calendar for a trip to Haddonfield.

The regular season here comprises about five shows every year, typically a mix of musicals and non-musicals including comedies, mysteries, and dramas. In addition to the regular slate of seasonal productions, Haddonfield Plays and Players produces shows geared toward children and families. They have special productions for school groups, too. They also offer special programs every year, with limited-run events such as staged readings and themed cabaret nights rounding out the offerings. Pick a show (or maybe two or three!) and pay this great local theater a visit.

Lyceum Hall Center for the Arts

Lyceum Hall Center for the Arts, located in the heart of historic Burlington City, is a destination for creative arts and arts education. Consider this your one-stop shop for visual and performing arts, all without traveling far from home at all. You can take in a musical show or wander around the art exhibits, expanding your kids’ appreciation for the arts as you do.

Oh, and there’s plenty of opportunities for creative-minded kiddos to get in on the action here. Lyceum Hall Center for the Arts is home to classes, workshops, competition troupes, and more. They even have offerings for kids as young as a year old, so the whole family can enjoy showing off their creative side.

Bridge Players Theatre Company

If you’re looking for a local place to enjoy live performances, make sure you have Bridge Players Theatre Company on your list of nearby organizations to check out. Based in Burlington, Bridge Players Theatre Company presents high-quality and affordable theatrical productions to keep the community entertained. The company also creates opportunities on stage and beyond for people of all ages and backgrounds, fostering an active, diverse membership based on a mutual passion for live performances.

Founded in 1976, Bridge Players Theatre Company continues to treat the community to great shows suited to any style. You can buy tickets to individual shows if you have one specific performance in mind, or you can subscribe to take advantage of savings and even more shows to see. They even present virtual shows if you’re looking to take in a performance from the comfort of your home.

Bristol Riverside Theatre

Head over to Bristol Riverside Theatre, located not far from Mount Laurel in Bristol, Pennsylvania, when your family is looking to see a great show. Dedicated to its place as a premier regional theater, BRT seeks to engage their audiences and artists with exceptional performances your family is sure to keep talking about long after the last curtain falls.

BRT has treated the local community to exciting shows for more than 30 seasons, producing over 200 performances each year. In other words, whether you buy tickets for their Main Stage productions, the play reading series, Christmas concert, or anything in between, you’ll definitely have an experience to remember. Plus, the setting takes your outing to the next level. The BRT is located in a renovated movie house, after all, bringing the excitement of seeing a show on the big stage together with the intimacy a 300-seat theater provides.

There you have it! Crème de la Crème of Mount Laurel just gave you six awesome local theaters to check out the next time you’re looking for a fun and easy way to experience live shows with the kids. But maybe you have a favorite theater in the area that we didn’t include? If you do, drop us a line so we can add your recommendation.