Playtime – Childcare While You See a Great Show in NYC

Playtime Childcare has made it possible to enjoy arts and culture while my children  participate in fun fine arts activities.  Going to see a show is something that I have always loved to do.  With three children, it becomes a challenge to find affordable care or someone who will watch three.

This wasn’t just regular babysitting.  The girls were involved with creative music, dance and drama.  The theme for the evening was pirates. Patches, vests, and other types of pirate art were created.  They shared songs all the way home in the car.  They did not think they were with sitters.  As far as the girls were concerned, they were able to hang out with other kids for a fun night in the city. I was told by one of my girls that I should go see two shows in a row so that they could spend more time at Playtime.  

If you would like to use the Playtime service, I have a voucher that is good for one child while you go see one of the shows.  For a list of shows using the Playtime service. check here.  Just leave me a comment down below.  I will give it to the first person who says they would like to use it!

With the girls at Playtime, we were ready for The Big Meal. I cannot say enough about how much I loved this production.  At times, I felt like I was watching my own family on stage.  By the end, I felt like they were my family.  In a little over an hour, I laughed as cried as I grew with the family.  The play is centered around the dinner table, kind of like my own life.  The table is the place where we spend time catching up, learning important things, and of course, eating together.  Sometimes, the time is filled with laughter.  Sometimes, the mood is somber.  I really connected to the characters and I highly recommend you see the show.

A special thank you to MamaDrama’s Holly and Erin for exposing me to Playtime.  I think this concept is an excellent affordable way for parents and kids to enjoy a night out.

About Playtime!
Playtime! is the first program to provide childcare during theatrical shows in
NYC. The inaugural Playtime! event took place in the Spring of 2011, after
crucial funding from the Theater Sub-district Council and a partnership with
Sitters Studio allowed Playwrights Horizons Managing Director Leslie
Marcus to make this long-time dream a reality.
Marcus, who is a mom, and Playwrights Horizons staff members realized
that the combined cost of theater tickets and child-care is the factor most
often cited by people with young children as the reason they rarely attend
the theater. Playtime! was established to bring parents back to the theater
by providing excellent childcare at (or steps from) the theater at an
extremely affordable rate. The service is available to any type of ticket
buyer for participating shows, regardless of the price paid for the ticket,
and is just $15 per child. Sitters Studio is fully bonded and insured, and
their rigorous background checks and training ensure that they provide not
only an artistic and fun experience for children, but also one that complies
with top-notch safety standards.
The hope is that this program will become a model for other performing
arts organizations. In August of 2011, the Westside Theatre (current
shows: Love, Loss, and What I Wore and Rated P for Parenthood) and
Signature Theatre Company joined with Playwrights Horizons, allowing
their patrons to participate in Playtime! as well. More venues and
companies will be joining soon.
Currently, Playtime! is available for children ages 4-12 and mostly takes
place during weekend performances.

Why it’s a fabulous, must-do event:
Playtime! provides an opportunity for parents to have an incredible
theatrical experience at some of the best, most high-profile Off-Broadway
theaters in town while their children have a cultural experience of their
own, playing and being creative with real-live NYC artist, musicians,
actors, dancers and more. A real New York cultural experience for parents
and kids alike, and at an incredibly affordable price!

Playtime sitters will be available a t the following Upcoming Shows:

Saturday, March 24 (evening)

• 7:30 pm — THE BIG MEAL, Playwrights Horizons
• 8:00 pm — Edward Albee’s THE LADY FROM DUBUQUE, Signature Theatre
• 8:00 pm — HURT VILLAGE, Signature Theatre
• 8:00 pm — LOVE, LOSS, AND WHAT I WORE, Westside Theatre
• 8:00 pm — RATED P FOR PARENTHOOD, Westside Theatre

Saturday, March 31 (matinee)

• 2:00 pm — THE BIG MEAL, Playwrights Horizons
• 2:00 pm — Edward Albee’s THE LADY FROM DUBUQUE, Signature Theatre
• 2:30 pm — RATED P FOR PARENTHOOD, Westside Theatre

For more information:
Visit PLAYTIME online or contact Emily at playtime@PlaytimeNYC.org.
You can also call (212) 564-1235, ext. 3153 (M-F, 10a-6p).