The theater is a great introduction to the arts for children. From community theater to Broadway, you can find something for all children, at any age, to enjoy. Whether you want to take your children to their first puppet show or you’re ready to take them to a major production, watching a live performance can spark imagination in kids and open their minds to new ideas and situations. So, if you’re looking for places to take your kids to experience theater, check out our list of places in Alpharetta, Georgia, where you can take your children to enjoy the arts. 

Off Broadway Children’s Theatre

Right here in Alpharetta, the Off Broadway Children’s Theatre hosts performances throughout the year. Part education center and part performing arts theater, children can come here to learn acting, singing, dancing, and improv. They can also audition to become part of the acting troupe. The children are the stars of all the performances, and shows are meant for a child audience. Your kids are sure to enjoy the wonderful productions this theater puts on.

This theater produces seven shows per year, performed on the theater’s own stage with professional lighting. It has the capacity to seat 90 people at its shows, giving the theater a cozier feel than some larger venues. During summers, the theater hosts acting camps for kids, and they put on a show at the end of each camp session. The shows are all fun and have familiar characters, and these shows could be a great first introduction to theater for your kids.

Location: 12315 Crabapple Road, Suite 122, Alpharetta.

Contact: 770-664-2410.

Roswell Cultural Arts Center

There’s always something going on at the Roswell Cultural Arts Center. This is a great place to take your kids to expose them to theater, and they are sure to love the offerings here. In the summer, you and your kids will be treated to the Summer Puppet Series. Five unique puppet shows are performed throughout the summer, and each one will delight young audiences. From “The Wizard of Oz” to “Cinderella” and many other delightful stories in between, the puppet series chooses shows just right for children.

In the fall, you and the kids can check out the Family Series, which features four different shows throughout the season. You may or may not have heard of the plays offered in this series before. Even if you haven’t, your kids will enjoy these shows’ fun and interactive nature. This venue also hosts musical performances throughout the year, so check the website often to see what’s currently happening. There’s something for everyone at the Roswell Cultural Arts Center.

Location: 950 Forrest St., Roswell.

Contact: 770-594-6232.

Stage Door Theatre

Located in nearby Dunwoody, the Stage Door Theatre  has all kinds of performances all year long. Not every performance is suitable for children, but plenty of them are, including a holiday play during Christmas time. This theater also has an acting academy for young performers, and they put on several kid-friendly productions each year. 

One such production is a winter concert, and another is a musical in spring. Your kids will surely delight in watching other kids perform familiar stories on stage. Perhaps they might even be inspired to try out for the next production. 

Location: 5339 Chamblee Dunwoody Road, Dunwoody.

Contact: 770-396-1726.

ACT1 Theater

Another great theater right here in Alpharetta is the ACT1 Theater. It is operated out of the Alpharetta Presbyterian Church and has an all-volunteer cast and crew. It produces high-quality, family-friendly shows, so you can feel good about bringing your kids to see them. It has been operating in the area for over 25 years, and the cast’s experience shines through in their productions. 

Past performances have included plays such as “Big,” “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory,” “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat,” “The Sound of Music,” “Annie,” “The Wind in the Willows,” “Miracle on 34th Street,” and many more. You’re sure to find a great production for the whole family to enjoy at ACT1 Theater.

Location: 180 Academy St., Alpharetta.

Contact: 770-663-8989.

Starlight Drive-in Theater

For the last entry on our list, we want to share something a little different. A drive-in theater can be a fun place to take the kids and make the moviegoing experience something extra special. The Starlight Drive-in Theater in Atlanta has four screens, and it shows movies every night of the week. Often, you pay for one movie but can stay for two, making the pricing a real value. Tickets are $10 for adults and only $1 for kids ages 5 through 9. Starlight Drive-in Theater also offers coupons for food purchases on its website.

If you like to enjoy snacks during movies, a snack bar offers classic movie-watching fare. It also has Mexican food, candy, and beverages. Movies are shown at night when it’s dark, and the theater is open all year round, only closing in instances of extreme weather. It hosts a flea market during the day on weekends, so if you want to make a day trip of it, you can go early for the flea market and stay for a movie. Movie offerings are only posted five days in advance, so check the website often to see what’s playing. 

Location: 2000 Moreland Ave. SE, Atlanta.

Contact: info@starlightdrivein.com.

Enjoy the Theater in Alpharetta

Whether it’s a live performance, a puppet show, or a drive-in movie, going to the theater is a great way to spend time together. We are lucky to have a variety of theaters and experiences in and around Alpharetta. You can find anything from professional theater troupes to children’s performances, and all have something great to offer your family. We at Crème de la Crème of Alpharetta know how important spending time together is for busy families. We hope this list of performing arts centers and drive-ins in our area helps you plan your next family trip to the theater. 

silhouette of three performers on stage by Kyle Head is licensed with Unsplash License