Raleigh theater company launches children's series in August

"We’re setting up the 'stage' to have the audience in all four sides, that way no child is ever far from the action and can feel more immersed in the world of the play," Hager tells me. "Also, all of the sets and costumes are made almost exclusively from items you can find around the house...that way the kids can feel like they can go home and have the same kind of fun we’re having."

Hager tells me that all of the actors performing in the shows are professional adult actors. Every show is a new work written for this series and with young audiences in mind, he said.

"We’re publicizing the recommended ages as 5-12, but parents know their kids best and what they can attend," Hager said. The shows run about 45 minutes to 50 minutes each.

The August series includes two musicals, a mash-up play and an improv show. Shows take place on select dates at 11 a.m., Wednesday through Friday, and 11 a.m and 1 p.m., Saturday. Tickets are $10 for kids, $12 for adults, $40 for a family four-pack and $150 for a family season pass (which includes four tickets to each show).

Here's the schedule with descriptions, courtesy of Aggregate's website:

The three Gruff kids don't get along, but that doesn't concern them much. That is, until the youngest Billy Goat Gruff runs away from her brothers and runs into a troll. It is a charming and humorous tale about sibling relationships and finding a place at home.

This funny and quirky play is a mash-up of two beloved children's tales. Hansel and Gretel and Red are surrounded by a bunch of kooky adults: an oblivious father, a conniving stepmother, a hungry wolf, and a witch that keeps making up her own lyrics to show tunes. Through smarts (and luck) these kids try to find their out of the woods and back home.

A fully-improvised show! Aggregate's actors will create a brand new fairytale right before your eyes, based on audience suggestions. Each performance will be completely new and different.

Giselle is half-gazelle, half-elephant, and 100% rockstar. But on her first day at Thomas Girafferson Elementary, the other kids aren't exactly her biggest fans. Hear Giselle and the rest of the students of Thomas Girafferson Elementary rock it out in this funny and heart-felt musical about making friends and being kind to all.