Young People’s Theatre (YPT) is delighted to welcome its youngest audience to the Studio for TREE — a magical, multi-sensory journey designed specially for infants and toddlers. Produced by the acclaimed Quebec-based Théâtre Motus, this gentle and luminous production invites children ages 6 months to 3 years to settle into a cozy world of wonder from Feb. 14 to 22.

TREE transforms the Studio into a soft-sculptured, immersive woodland where little explorers and their caregivers can nestle into “Mama Bird’s” nest. Through enchanting puppetry, ambient lighting, and serene melodies, the production creates a nurturing space that meets young audience members exactly where they are in their discovery of the world.

“We are so pleased to offer a production that speaks directly to the curiosity of very young children,” says YPT Artistic Director Herbie Barnes. “TREE offers a thoughtfully considered environment where babies and toddlers can feel safe to explore, listen, and interact at their own pace. It’s a beautiful way for families to create their very first theatrical memories together.”

The experience is structured to meet the needs of young audiences with a 40-minute performance and limited audience sizes, allowing the cast to engage one-on-one with every child in the room.

A versatile ensemble of five multidisciplinary artists bring TREE to life: Valérie Bourque, Salim Hammad, Paola Huitrón, Marie-Claude Labrecque, and Hugo Monroy Najera.

Guided by the vision of Théâtre Motus co-founder Hélène Ducharme, TREE is a specialized adaptation of her acclaimed work, Tree: A World in Itself, which was originally developed for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). On Thursday, Feb. 19, YPT will host a dedicated staging of the original Tree: A World in Itself specifically for young people with ASD, intellectual disabilities, and/or reduced mobility. (This performance is sold out.)

TREE is a presentation of YPT’s newly launched Room for Play program offering immersive play-based adventures designed to ignite imagination and interactions between young children and their grownups. Room for Play is made possible by the generous support of the Slaight Family Foundation.

TREE

Original idea and stage direction by Hélène Ducharme

Produced by Théâtre Motus

Assistant stage direction: Danaëlle Ducharme-Massé; Artistic assistant and puppets: Marie-Claude Labrecque; Music: Julie Labrecque and Hugo Monroy Najera; Scenography: Normand Blais; Costumes: Érica Schmitz; Lighting and technical direction: Valérie Bourque; Creative team: Mathilde Addy-Laird, Salim Hammad, Paola Huitrón, Marie-Claude Labrecque, Julie Labrecque and Hugo Monroy Najera.

TREE PERFORMANCES:

Public: Feb. 14, 15, 17, 22 at 11 AM & 2:30PM | Feb. 18 at 11AM |Feb. 16 and 21 at 10:30AM & 2:30PM

Please note: There are no school performances of this production.

Recommended for Ages 6 months – 3 years

Run Time: Approx. 40 mins.

Location: The Studio at Young People's Theatre

Tickets: $22 for children and seniors; $27 for adults (plus fee and HST)

Purchase Online: www.youngpeoplestheatre.org

Box Office: 416.862.2222.