Aladdin Enchanted the Crowd!
Day of Enrichment
On Saturday, June 17th, the Foundation hosted its third annual Fostering Love for the Theater enrichment program event. Over 140 foster children and families attended afternoon showings of Aladdin & the Magic Lamp, which took place at Orlando Shakespeare Theater on the opening day of the play!
The day began with the children and families gathering for a picnic-style lunch in the beautiful Loch Haven Park. Volunteers attentively tended to the families by serving them food and chatting with the children. Four volunteers also offered face painting for the children! The children were able to choose to have their face painted as whatever their hearts desired! Some children chose to follow the Aladdin theme and were transformed into princes and princesses. Others chose to be bunnies, butterflies, Wonder Woman, Batman, Superman, you name it! The volunteers amazed everyone with their artistry!
Then the sprawling green lawn and magnificent oaks of Loch Haven Park turned into a natural playground. One little boy even took it upon himself to show off his handstands and strike many poses for photographs. Children ran and played in the huge tree trunks and laughed with their friends.
When the lunch hour was over, the families went inside for the pre-show activities enrichment program. Children were able to visit the Mad Science table and do mini-experiments. They could also color an Aladdin illustration.
Once inside the intimate Goldman Theater, there was not a bad seat in the house! Since it’s a smaller venue, the children were very close to the stage! Some sat on the edge of their seats and others snuggled on their foster parent’s laps. Several were eagerly asking if the play would be starting soon. Anticipation grew, and as soon as the cast set foot on stage, the children were immediately mesmerized and roaring with laughter at the comical genie. Their eyes were glued to the stage the entire time and they shouted and cheered as the genie asked the audience questions about which choices Aladdin should make!
Lastly, the children got to meet the stars of Aladdin & the Magic Lamp: the Genie of the Ring, Aladdin, Princess Adara, and the villainess, Vizier Hasna. They got up close and personal and got an autograph with each star! They were simply delighted! It was a fantastic day at the theater!
