When you think of the Alliance Theatre, you may think of its Regional Theatre Tony award or the newly opened Goizueta Stage for Youth & Families. This week the Alliance has received a new accolade, and it’s one that hits at the heart of our values.
On May 6th, GEEARS: Georgia Early Education Alliance for Ready Students and the Georgia Chamber of Commerce awarded the theatre with the Best Place for Working Parents®—Georgia (BP4WP-GA) Innovator Award. This celebrates the theatre’s commitment to working parents through initiatives like paid parental leave, flexible working hours, childcare support, and hybrid work locations.
At the center of the Alliance’s commitment to working parents is the groundbreaking Artist Childcare Program, which offers nurturing, dependable childcare, at no cost, for artists during their time at the theater. This includes care during rehearsals, performances, and other unique hours that are typical of a theater artist’s schedule, but atypical for traditional childcare. Alliance Theatre saw a need and stepped into a place of engaging and innovative support. From actors to music directors to playwrights, this program is empowering artists to both flourish in their craft and in their parenting.
The program further reflects the Alliance’s mission through arts-integrated learning, creating an environment where children are not only cared for but also inspired. Infants and children have the opportunity to engage with creativity from an early age while their parents bring stories to life on stage.
“We are deeply honored to be recognized for work that reflects our core belief: when we center young people, we must also care for those who nurture them,” says Olivia Aston Bosworth, the Dan Reardon Director of Youth and Families at Alliance Theatre. “As the only professional theatre in the country providing this level of comprehensive support for artists and their children, Alliance Theatre’s Artist Childcare Program is a bold investment in the reality that creative lives and caregiving are inseparable. If we want a more imaginative and equitable field, we have to build structures that make space for the whole artist.”
Alliance Theatre is honored to receive this award and proud to be investing in its people for generations to come.
Come Curious. Leave Changed.
Join us for transformative theater that speaks to the heart of Atlanta.
Nothing truly rings in the summer with more joy than the Mayor’s Summer Reading Club (MSRC) Book Launch, and this year there is a dino-tastic adventure in store! On May 14 at 10am in the High Museum’s Hill Auditorium, children ages 0-5 and their caregivers are invited to celebrate this year’s exciting book launch, spark their love of reading, and walk away with their very own FREE book (English & Spanish versions available).
We are excited to announce this year’s book title — Dinosaur! written by the Alliance Theatre’s Olivia Aston Bosworth, Dan Reardon Director of Youth and Families, illustrated by Alex Ferror, and inspired by the Bernhardt Theatre for the Very Young production Dinosaur! If you caught the show this past spring, you already know the magic. Now is your chance to bring the story home with you to read again and again.
Each year the MSRC produces a brand-new book for children from infancy to 5 years old, highlighting the vital role early literacy plays in a child’s development. Throughout the summer, partner organizations host book reading events that are infused with creative and engaging ways to bring the story to life, from arts and crafts activities to drama exercises to other hands-on experiences. Alliance Theatre has been a proud partner of the MSRC since the program’s inception and produced 8 beautiful books, many which have then come to life on our stages!
The book launch kicks off the summer reading club on May 14th and is a free event. It will feature a special read-aloud of this year’s book by author Olivia Aston Bosworth. We hope you and your little one will join us for this memorable event. Then take the dinos home with you to continue inspiring imagination and a love of books for many readings to come.
WHAT TO KNOW:
What: The Mayor’s Summer Reading Club 2026 Kick-off Party
When: Thursday, May 14th, 10-11am
Where: The High Museum of Art’s Hill Auditorium, 1280 Peachtree St NE, Atlanta, GA 30309
Cost: Free! And children will go home with a free copy of Dinosaur!
DINOSAUR!
Written By: Olivia Aston Bosworth
Illustrated By: Alex Ferror
Ages: 0-5
When you love dinosaurs, they pop up everywhere — at the grocery store, at preschool, and even when your grown-ups are hosting a fancy dinner party! But how can you focus on folding your napkin and chewing with your mouth closed when there’s an apatosaurus munching on your salad and pterodactyls swarming your soup? You can’t! Get ready to find out how even the simplest day-to-day task can turn into an epic dino-tastic adventure that will leave little ones laughing and roaring for more.
Come Curious. Leave Changed.
Join us for transformative theater that speaks to the heart of Atlanta.
Free Theatre for the Very Young Performances & New Musical Reading for Ages 8-11
The Alliance Theatre is thrilled to host the 2026 TYA/USA National Festival & Conference May 27-29. This three-day gathering draws inspirational theatre makers from around the world to engage and explore Theatre for Young Audiences and how theater arts can inspire and impact the next generations. We’re excited to welcome this vibrant community of creatives to Atlanta.
One of the festival highlights is experiencing shows for the youngest theatre attendees, ages 0-5. The Festival will present three Theatre for the Very Young productions, as well as an experience for non-walking infants, and we are inviting our Atlanta community ages 0-5 and their caregivers to experience these shows for free! In addition to two beloved Bernhardt Theatre for the Very Young productions, the brand-new show, Helping Hands, commissioned by the Alliance Theatre and the TYA/USA TVY Development Program, will also take the stage in its first workshop performances. One additional experience is available for non-walking infants and their carers — RAIN. This immersive performance invites our tiniest friends to be mesmerized and entranced by the beauty of rain.
The festival will also present a reading of a brand new musical, Sankofa: The SuperHero Project, which is best enjoyed by ages 8-12. Commissioned by the Alliance Theatre, SANKOFA: THE SUPERHERO PROJECT is a part of the TYA BIPOC Superhero Project, a nationwide epic fusion of creative forces igniting theaters and playwrights across the diverse tapestry of America. Join us for a first look at this new musical adventure.
THE BIRTHDAY OF THE WORLD
Thursday, May 28 at 11:15am & 2pm // Hertz Stage
Inspired by the book Birthday of the World by Dr. Rachel Naomi Remen
How can you repair the world, finding one spark at a time? Gather around and lean forward as we share a gift with you – a story about how the world was born and how it needs your help to be filled with light again.
Best enjoyed by ages 0-5 and their caregivers. Please book for all adults and children attending.
DINOSAUR!
Friday, May 29 at 9am & 10:45am // Hertz Stage
Created by Olivia Aston Bosworth & Samantha Provenzano
Get ready to find out how even the simplest day-to-day task can turn into an epic dino-tastic adventure that will leave little ones laughing and roaring for more.
Best enjoyed by ages 0-5 and their caregivers. Please book for all adults and children attending.
HELPING HANDS
Friday, May 29 at 9am, 10:45am & 1pm // Rehearsal Hall B, 3rd Floor, Memorial Arts Building
Created by Jack Romans and Cameryn Richardson
Alliance Theatre and TYA/USA TVY Development Program
When Flomo and Peepa disturb a resting trash spirit, hijinks ensue. With each new idea, they bring audiences along on a journey to upcycle, create, and ultimately, enjoy the items we typically throw away.
Best enjoyed by ages 0-5 and their caregivers. Please book for all adults and children attending.
RAIN: FOR BABIES AND THEIR CARERS
Friday, May 29 at 9am, 10:45am & 1pm // Selig Family Black Box Theatre
Produced by Filament Theatre in partnership with Threshold
Audiences are invited to participate in an experience that responds to the generosity of rain. Carers and their littlest ones are immersed in an intimate and mindful installation space full of surprise, delight and opportunities for connection through sound, touch and performance.
To keep this experience safe and inspiring, each showing of RAIN is limited to 10 non-walking infants and their carers.
For non-walking infants and their caregivers. Please register the number of non-walking infants attending to reserve your spot.
READING OF SANKOFA: THE SUPERHERO PROJECT
Friday, May 29 at 10:45 am // Center Space, Memorial Arts Building
Written by Gloria Bond Clunie
Music Compositions by Eugene H. Russell, IV
When 9-year-old Rashad catches Superhero Aboagye (A-bow-a-gee) sneaking into his bedroom to snitch his delicious, cheesy Best-titos, he is determined to teleport back with him to the Sankofa SuperHero Academy. His mission — discover a superpower that will make the kids stop teasing him. Amidst awesome adventures and mighty mishaps in the Seventh Dimension – Rashad uncovers an amazing ability that could change his life – and the world!
This Project is dedicated to promoting and celebrating amazing stories created by BIPOC TYA playwrights across the United States that explore the notion of Superheroes as well as the many issues that youth communities of color encounter.
Best enjoyed by ages 8-11. Please book for all adults and children attending.
Following the TYA/USA National Festival and Conference, the celebration of young audiences ages 0-5 continues with Toddler Takeover Powered by PNC on May 30-31. What an incredible week filled with creativity and inspiration for our youngest audiences!
These performances are part of the 2026 TYA/USA National Festival & Conference. Photography and videography will take place at this event. By attending, you acknowledge that your image and likeness may be captured and used for promotional or archival purposes without further consent or compensation.
Come Curious. Leave Changed.
Join us for transformative theater that speaks to the heart of Atlanta.