Date Night with a Purpose: Local Dance Company Reimagines Family Art

As federal arts funding faces significant cuts and the National Endowment for the Arts sees support rescinded, the next generation of St. Louisans matters more than ever to our city's cultural future. Saint Louis Dance Theatre (STLDT) is tackling this challenge head-on with their new Kids Circle program, launching May 30 alongside their (RE)Fine spring concert at COCA's Catherine B. Berges Theatre. The initiative offers a creative solution for parents who want to experience world-class dance while introducing their children to the arts in an age-appropriate, engaging format.

"When we invest in making the arts accessible to children, we're investing in the future of our city," says Erin Warner Prange, Executive Director of STLDT. "Dance appreciation begins with access. Every child deserves the opportunity to experience the transformative power of movement and artistic expression."

The program addresses a common barrier to arts attendance for parents of young children: finding childcare. The first Kids Circle program runs concurrent with the May 30 evening performance, providing supervised arts activities for children ages 5-10 led by STLDT trainees and alumni. Children participate in age-appropriate movement exercises and creative expression activities while parents enjoy Joshua L. Peugh's My Dear Watson, a contemporary reimagining of Sherlock Holmes through dance. The evening culminates with a family-friendly DJ dance party in the COCA lobby hosted by Chef David Kirkland of Turn Restaurant, creating a multi-generational celebration of movement and music.

Kids Circle is just one component of STLDT's broader accessibility strategy. The company is also launching Community Night, a pay-what-you-can performance sponsored by Reliant Supply Group on June 1, offered as a thank you to the community following Give STL Day on May 8. This initiative ensures financial circumstances don't prevent anyone from experiencing one of the most diverse and dynamic programs of STLDT's season.

"If you can pay for your ticket and a friend's, do so," Prange encourages. "By paying it forward, you help keep the arts alive and our community connected."

These initiatives build upon STLDT's existing Youth Access Program, which provides free tickets to St. Louis City youth, and Senior Embrace, which brings performances to senior centers throughout the region.

For parents interested in registering their children for Kids Circle, the cost is $25 per child (with sibling discounts available) and advance registration is required. The program runs during the May 30, 7:30 p.m. performance at COCA's Catherine B. Berges Theatre.

By removing barriers to participation, Saint Louis Dance Theatre is ensuring that world-class contemporary dance remains accessible to all members of the community—especially the youngest St. Louisans who represent the future of our city's cultural landscape.