CHILDREN'S READING SERIES
The acclaimed Children’s Reading Series is a beloved BCT program that presents the best of contemporary children’s theater in a creative environment that is accessible to audience members of all ages. Drawing on one of the oldest traditions in theater— “hearing a play” —audience members will experience professional actors bringing engaging stories to life. PLUS free pizza, and cookies!
This Season’s Children’s Reading Series titles will be announced as we get closer to each production.
FREE Cookies at every reading.
FREE Pizza at every reading, sponsored by PIE HOLE.
Sponsors
24|25 Readings:
- Sunday, Oct 13, 2024 2:00 PM
- Sunday, Dec 15, 2024 2:00 PM
- Sunday, Feb 2, 2025 2:00 PM
- Sunday, May 4, 2025 2:00 PM
Next Reading:
Reviews:
“Mariposa/Butterfly is a wonderful short play in both Spanish and English… We performed at a library and an elementary school where almost all of the students spoke Spanish and English. They loved the humor in the play…” -Catherine L., Dragonfly Multicultural Arts Center, Plainfield, N.J.
“This turned into a lovely show, performed for all ages, and brought joy to all who participated.” -Geoffrey S., Housatonic Community College, Bridgeport, Conn.
Mariposa/Butterfly
by Sandra Fenichel Asher & Jose' Casas
- Sunday, May 4, 2025 | 2:00 PM
Comedy for young audiences.
Two neighbors live side-by-side in Texas. A low fence separates their gardens, but much more divides them from each other. One grows flowers; the other raises vegetables. One was born in the U.S., the other in Mexico. One speaks English, the other Spanish. Their differences have kept them so far apart that if one predicts a sunny day, then the other is certain of rain. Even the arrival of a caterpillar causes disagreement—until the resulting mariposa/butterfly, and its eventual departure, unites them in wonder, sadness and a new understanding of the beautiful world they share.
Cast
How long is each reading?
Not more than 90 minutes, usually with an intermission, and always with cookies and milk!
What are the recommended ages?
The readings are appropriate for children ages 5-18.
Do I need to attend with my child?
Yes, all children 17 years or younger must be accompanied by an adult.
Seating is General Admission
- Adult Ticket $15.00
- Child Ticket (13 and under) $10.00
- Adult Children’s Reading Series Pass: $40 | $25 Child Pass (13 and under)
Previous Readings:
The Wind in the Wildflowers
A Mole, Ratty & Toad Story
Story by Grace Ward, Score by Elke Myers
Directed by Jennifer Stockwell-Fortner
Mole and Ratty are about as different as two best friends can be. Mole is shy, quiet, and perfectly content living in a hole in the ground. Ratty is loud, proud, and adventurous. But when their shared friend Toad gets herself into some trouble with the Weasels of the Wild Wood, Ratty and Mole have to put their heads together to save the day. Join us for this foot-stomping, fiddle-filled adaptation of Kenneth Graham’s famous story, The Wind In The Willows. This time with more girl power and whitewater.
Only $15 ($10 Children 13 and under)
Cast
Rachel Fichtman
Elke Myers
Alyssa Stadtlander
Grace Ward (she/her/hers) is an author, playwright, and teaching artist from Boise, Idaho. Her debut novel The Apollo was released in 2023, and her plays have been produced across the country, from Minnesota to Chicago to Boise! She is a Boise State Theater graduate and is currently working on her MFA in Writing for Young Readers. When not writing, she loves to mountain bike, drink tea, and cross-country ski.
Elke Myers is a multifaceted theatre artist who loves to tell stories! She has experience acting, singing, directing, composing, and teaching. She graduated with her BFA in Musical Theatre from Nebraska Wesleyan University in May of 2022. After graduation, she went on tour with Missoula Children’s Theatre and traveled around the United States and Canada. With MCT she was able to combine her passion for performance with her love of teaching. After working with MCT, she returned to her hometown of Boise, ID where she has enjoyed working with the Idaho Shakespeare Festival, Boise Contemporary Theatre, Opera Idaho, Alley Rep, and The Boise Bard Players! elkemyers.com
Reviews
Tovik Tomte and the Trolls
by Eric Coble
Directed by Jennifer Stockwell-Fortner
The Tomte are little people of Sweden, no taller than a dandelion, who help farmers in the forest. But when young scamp Tovic grows tired of hearing his family’s tales of adventure, he decides to go on an adventure of his own. On Christmas Eve he sets out to win a jewel for the kind farmer’s daughter Adelgunda on her wedding day. But that means sneaking into the giant Trolls’ cave on the one night they count their riches and then getting back out before sunrise, or else be trapped in the cave for a year… or worse, yet… eaten in a pie!
Can Tovic have his own adventure of a lifetime and live to tell the tale?
Only $15 ($10 Children 13 and under)
Cast
TARFA: Tomte, Grandfather, 500 years old – Dane Bolinger
TOVIC: Tomte, Grandson – David Collins
TOMTE 1 – Lex Gonzalez
TOMTE 2 – Amelia Gorringe
TOMTE 3 – Michael Vessel
ADELGUNDA: Human, Farmer’s Daughter, Sweet – Alyssa Stadtlander
JORGEN: Human, Neighbor, also Sweet – Francisco Negron
SKIMPA: Troll, Greedy, Hungry, Opposite of Sweet – Jeanna Vickery
JOMPA Troll see Skimpa – Darin Vickery
Music – Thomas Paul
Eric Coble was born in Edinburgh, Scotland and raised on the Navajo and Ute reservations in New Mexico and Colorado. He is widely considered to be one of the tallest playwrights in America.
His Tony-nominated play, The Velocity of Autumn, had its world premiere here at Boise Contemporary Theater and premiered on Broadway at the Booth Theatre directed by Molly Smith, starring Estelle Parsons and Stephen Spinella.
Awards include the AATE Distinguished Play Award for Best Adaptation, an Emmy nomination, the Edgerton Award for New American Plays, the Chorpenning Playwriting Award for Body of Work, the AT&T Onstage Award, National Theatre Conference Playwriting Award, the Cleveland Arts Prize, two Cuyahoga Arts and Culture Fellowships, and four Ohio Arts Council Individual Excellence Grants. https://ericcoble.com
Reviews
Monster + Farmer
by JM Christiansen
Directed by Jennifer Stockwell-Fortner
Step into the world of Riley, a teenage science whiz on a Montana ranch near the stunning Mission Mountains. Inspired by Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, Riley embarks on a wild adventure to create her very own DIY creature – all while documenting the chaos on her YouTube channel! But when her creation spirals out of control, it’s up to Riley and her brother Aidan to save the ranch (and the cows!) as the world watches through their smartphones. MONSTER + FARMER is about creation and connection in an increasingly digital world.
Only $15 ($10 Children 13 and under)
Cast
Elke Myers – Riley
Holden Blair – Aiden
Thomas Paul – Music
JM Christiansen is a playwright and director out of Missoula, Montana. He is currently a PhD candidate at the University of Montana. He received his MFA in theatre from the University of Montana. He has a B.A. in theatre and writing from Northwestern College, where he graduated summa cum laude. His plays have been produced at regional theaters, festivals, and competitions across the Midwest. He is also co-host of the dramatic literature podcast “No Script.” (https://noscriptpodcast.podbean.com/)
From the Playwright
“…fun and fast paced, but the show also slows down and gives Riley and Aidan some real challenges to face together.”
“Monster + Farmer is about a teenager who loves to learn, and who uses her unique gifts to create, to invent, and to teach. Though Riley’s inventions are fictitious, the spirit of curiosity that drives her is very real. It drives all of us who love to learn.”
“I hope Monster + Farmer is a delightful reflection on the joy of learning and curiosity. May we all be Riley, constantly exploring the world around us, and adding to it whatever gifts we have.”
Miss Electricity by Kathryn Walat
- Sunday, Apr 28, 2024 | 2:00 PM
Comedy for young audiences
~40-50 minutes
Ten-year-old Violet is determined to show the world, not to mention the cool kids at school, just how special she is. With the help of her assistant, Freddy, she sets out to break a world record but becomes accidentally extraordinary when she’s struck by lightning — twice — and gains control over all things electric. Under the name Miss Electricity, Violet zaps her way through circuits, bullies, and tests but could lose everything when the power goes to her head.
Cast:
Kelly Anne Gasparini
Zoë Kelly
Bennett Huhn
Jake Atkinson
Director:
Jen Stockwell-Fortner
Goloshes of Fortune adapted by Elizabeth Wong
- Sunday, Feb 11, 2024 | 2:00 PM
Comedy for young audiences
~35-40 minutes
A tale of mysterious magical rain boots that will grant the wearer’s greatest wish. Two meddlesome fairies wonder whether human beings can really know what brings happiness, so they slip the magical goloshes onto the feet of four unsuspecting children who think they know what they want. Based on the fairy tale by Hans Christian Andersen.
Cast and Production Team:
Taylor Hawker
John Wicks
Amela Karadza
David Cowan
Thomas Paul – Music
Jen Stockwell-Fortner – Director
Cast & Production Team
- Sunday, Oct 22, 2023 | 2:00 PM
- The Ghost of Splinter Cove by Steven Dietz
- Approx. Run Time 60 min
- An adventure story prompted by the imaginations of three young people left to play in their basement on a rainy day. Siblings Cora and Nate and their friend, Sydney, have a lot of questions about what their parents are doing upstairs. When their adventure game becomes more real than they imagined, they unearth a history of their family that they could never have known. The Ghost of Splinter Cove is a fun, lively and moving play for the courageous young person inside all of us.
- The Ghost of Splinter Cove by Steven Dietz
PRODUCED BY SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT WITH THE DRAMATIC PUBLISHING COMPANY OF WOODSTOCK, ILLINOIS
- Sunday, March 12, 2023 | 2PM
The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County
Adapted by Joseph McDonough, based on the story by Mark Twain
This rambunctious adaptation of Mark Twain’s classic short story tells the tale of schemer and braggart Jim Smiley, who decides to make his fortune by entering his frog in the first annual Calaveras County Frog Jumping Contest. Smiley has certainly had his share of good luck, but the people of Calaveras County are getting a bit tired of being duped by Jim, and they may just have a scheme of their own…
RUNS ~30-45 minutes
Directed by Jennifer Stockwell-Fortner
- Austin Von Johnson – Actor 1 (Mark Twain, Horse, Gold Miner)
- Taylor Hawker – Actor 2 (Jim Smiley)
- Tacet Matthew Bunk – Actor 3 (farmer, dog, frog)
- Elke Myers – Actor 4 (Horse, School Teacher, Frog)
- Music by Thomas Paul
UPCOMING SHOWS & EVENTS
