Playtime! How I Went to the Theater While Ari Made Art With an Artist

Today, my mom and I went to the theater. We saw a black comedy called Assistance about trying to stay sane while working for a crazy abusive boss.

While we went to see a show, Aunt Mimi and Uncle Mike watched Samara at their house. I'm told she had a great time playing with toys, eating a banana, and attempting to say the word "banana." Thanks guys!a

I cannot remember the last time I've been to the theater, which is bizarre since I'm an actor myself and come from an extensive performing arts background. I was a theater major at LaGuardia High School of Music and Art & Performing Arts and went on to study theater at Ithaca College and New York University.

This day would not have been possible if it hadn't been for an awesome organization called Playtime

I found out about Playtime on Twitter. Once my nemesis, now Twitter and I are becoming friends.

Leslie Marcus, Managing Director at Playwrights Horizons and mother of two, along with her co-workers, dreamt up Playtime.

Playwrights Horizons noticed that there was a lapse in theater goers who were parents. The reason for this was that it was too expensive for parents to hire a babysitter, and they felt guilty leaving their kids at home while they went off to enjoy a cultural experience.

Enter Playtime, a program that provides childcare for kids ages 4-12 while parents go to the theater. There is something very unique about the childcare provided by Playtime; the "babysitters" are also artists. They are musicians, photographers, actors, and writers from an organization called Sitters Studio. Here's how it works: you buy tickets to a Playwright's Horizon's show. For $15 you can purchase a slot in a Playtime for your child. While you attend the performance, your child is engaged in a artistic experience with real artists.

After my mom and I saw the show, I had a chance to sit down with Leslie to talk a bit about Playtime. Here's what she had to say:

My mom and I loved Assistance. It was very clever, dark, unique and entertaining. I'm thinking about dragging Wil to see it.

Ari had a blast with the Arts Sitters from Playtime.

I felt great knowing that while I was watching a play, he was involved in creative projects too!

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For more information about Playtime visit their site here