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To all the parents out there: We wish we could send you a gallon of coffee and a full-time nanny, but instead, we hope you'll accept this welcome distraction from the Chicago Children's Theatre. The West Loop institution just announced its first-ever Play@Home Contest, challenging homebound local kids to create and film their own five-minute plays, with the winner snagging performing-arts classes or season tickets.
The contest encourages little ones to use their imaginations, write their own scripts and create original props. That should translate to some time back on your day—whether you want to use it to take a conference call in peace or pour a brim-skimming glass of wine is entirely up to you.
All videos must be submitted to the Chicago Children's Theatre by May 31, and there are some rules your kiddos must follow, like including a mythical creature in their masterpiece and involving at least one family member (read up on the guidelines here). Theater staff will choose three finalists to be featured on their YouTube page, and one winner will be able to choose either a four-pack of tickets to Chicago Children's Theatre's 2020/21 season or one free class session.
Encourage your kids to take the rest of the day to storyboard their big ideas. It's script-writing tomorrow, and prop-making the day after that! The rest of the week is already looking up.