Our Play Date series at UIS Performing Arts Center is designed for very young audiences (ages 0–5) and their caregivers, offering gentle, interactive arts experiences that invite curiosity, movement, and play. These small-scale Saturday morning events are intentionally relaxed and developmentally appropriate, with an emphasis on sensory exploration and creating a welcoming space for families to engage at their own pace.
Each Play Date takes place on a designated Saturday morning and typically includes two 45-minute performances at 9:45 and 11:15 a.m. Tickets are $5 per person (or packaged $10 per person for all 3 events), and with a single ticket, families are welcome to attend either performance—or stay and enjoy both—creating a flexible experience that works for their schedule and their child’s needs.
Events take place in our UIS Studio Theatre and are designed to be inclusive and responsive—caregivers and children are encouraged to move, respond, and participate in ways that feel comfortable for them.
Play Date Events Offered This Fall:
Play Date: Rock Ballet Remix
An Interactive Exploration of Dance
Saturday, September 26
9:45 a.m. and 11:15 a.m.
Play Date: Tiny Disco- Halloween
A Dance Party for Young and Old
Saturday, October 17
Doors open at 9:45 a.m. and the party lasts until 11:45 a.m.
Play Date: Blue-a Playful Theatre Experience
A play for Very Young Audiences and Their Grown-ups
Saturday, November 21
9:45 a.m. and 11:15 a.m.
$5 Per Ticket/Per Person
Or Save on a Package...
Buy all 3 events for $10 per person. Click here to buy a package.
