There is something truly magical about sitting in an audience and allowing yourself to be transported back to a time when imagination had no limits, wonder was around every corner, and the impossible felt just within reach. That is exactly what I was reminded of while watching Portsmouth Area Children’s Theatre’s (PACT) performance of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory on Sunday afternoon.
Sometimes, we get so caught up in the responsibilities of adulthood that we forget the importance of being a kid at heart. We forget what it feels like to be amazed, to laugh without restraint, and to believe in a little magic. This performance was a beautiful reminder that we should never lose that part of ourselves.
Talent Beyond Their Years
What struck me most about this production was the incredible amount of talent displayed by these young performers. There is something special about watching children step onto a stage, take on a character, and bring a story to life before a live audience. It takes courage to stand under those lights, remember lines, hit your marks, sing, dance, and trust yourself enough to perform in front of a room full of people.
These young performers did just that.
Their dedication to their craft was evident throughout the Sunday afternoon performance. They weren’t simply children reciting lines or moving through choreography. They were performers working together to tell a story, create a world, and invite the audience into it.
And that is what theatre is all about.
Talent is wonderful, but talent combined with dedication, discipline, and a willingness to learn is something even more remarkable. Watching these children reminded me that the future of community theatre is in very capable hands.
Behind Every Young Performer Is a Village
One thing that can sometimes be overlooked when we attend a children’s theatre production is the dedication that extends beyond the stage.
For every young performer standing in the spotlight, there are caregivers who have helped make that moment possible. There are rehearsals to attend, schedules to coordinate, costumes to prepare, lines to practice, and countless hours spent encouraging a child to keep going even when the process becomes challenging.
There are early mornings, busy afternoons, long evenings, and sacrifices that an audience may never see.
The commitment required to support a young performer is significant. It takes patience, encouragement, and a belief in the value of giving children opportunities to explore their creativity and discover what they are capable of accomplishing.
To the caregivers who make these experiences possible, your dedication matters. You are doing more than helping children put on a show. You are helping them build confidence, develop discipline, learn teamwork, and discover the joy of creating something alongside others.
Those lessons reach far beyond the theatre.
Why Children’s Theatre Matters
As someone who believes deeply in the power of live theatre, I often think about what draws us back to the stage, whether we are sitting in the audience, working behind the scenes, or standing beneath the lights ourselves.
Theatre gives us a place to feel something. It allows us to see the world through another person’s eyes, to laugh together, to experience moments of wonder, and to connect with people we may never otherwise have known.
For children, those opportunities can be life-changing.
A stage can become a place where a shy child discovers confidence, where a creative mind finds an outlet, and where young people learn that their voices matter. It teaches them to work as a team, respect the contributions of others, and understand that a successful production requires everyone to do their part.
Not every child who participates in theatre will grow up to become a professional actor. That isn’t the point.
The point is that they are learning, growing, creating, and discovering who they are. They are building memories and friendships while developing skills that will serve them for the rest of their lives.
And when a community supports children’s theatre, it invests in far more than entertainment. It invests in its children.
A Little Magic for the Rest of Us
As I left the performance on Sunday afternoon, I carried with me a renewed appreciation for the people who make theatre possible, especially the young performers who give their time, energy, and hearts to the stage.
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is a story filled with imagination, extraordinary possibilities, and the reminder that there is still room for wonder in our world. Seeing it brought to life by these talented children made that message feel even more meaningful.
Perhaps that is one of the greatest gifts theatre can offer us: the chance to pause our adult lives for a little while and remember what it was like to see the world with fresh eyes.
To be amazed by something new. To believe in possibilities. To laugh, dream, and let our imaginations wander.
We spend so much of our lives telling children to grow up, to be responsible, and to prepare for the world ahead of them. Perhaps we should spend a little more time remembering what they can teach us in return.
They remind us to be brave enough to try, enthusiastic enough to give our best, and willing to believe in a little magic.
So, to the talented young performers of PACT, and to the caregivers who support them: thank you for sharing your hard work and creativity with our community. You reminded me that the magic of theatre isn’t limited to the story unfolding onstage. It lives in the dedication behind it, the connections it creates, and the joy it leaves in the hearts of those who experience it.
And most importantly, you reminded me of something worth carrying into every season of life:
Never stop being a kid at heart.
Because sometimes, all it takes is a Sunday afternoon at the theatre to remind us that a little wonder can go a very long way.
— The Fifth Row
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