Immersive theater for very, very young audiences is common abroad. Not so much in the U.S., but that is changing with the return of Elementary to La Mama Kids this weekend, a sensory rich performance for ages 6 to 36 months and their caregivers.
“Babies are an amazing audience,” says Tami Stronach, co-creator of Elementary, a show designed specifically for infants and toddlers, 6 to 36 months, coming to La MaMa Kids October 3-4. “They don’t know the rules of theater.” That means babies are welcome to crawl on stage, cry, or even insert themselves into the 30-minute show that explores the elements of earth, water, wind and fire through storytelling, puppetry and soft choreography. At one performance a child became so interested in participating in the piece, Stronach scooped them up on her hip while operating one of the puppets. With the lines between audience and stage blurred, the intention is also to provide an stress-free theater experience for parents and caregivers. “Basically, Elementary is what I would have wanted as a mom,” says Stronach, who passes out hot neck pillows to adults before the performance. “A show where I can relax.”
Producing baby theater never occurred to Stronach until she teamed up with Elementary’s co-creator, Czech choreographer Denisa Musilová. “In the Czech Republic, people feel it’s developmentally appropriate to have babies exposed to beautiful, tactile things,” she explains. The duo created Máma Země (Mother Earth) for the Horácké Divadlo Theater in the Czech Republic. They collaborated on Elementary next through the Paper Canoe Company, the family entertainment company Stronach co-founded. Given how uncommon immersive performances for very young audiences are in the U.S., the show creators wondered, “Would anyone come?”
Watch a preview of Elementary from the March 2026 premiere at La MaMa Kids. An updated version of the show will be staged October 3-4.
Elementary debuted at La MaMa in March 2026. A performance at MoMA’s UNIQLO Family Day followed as did a BAM residency where Musilová and Stronach had the opportunity to enrich the production. “We were able to take the initial ideas, explore them more deeply and come to a more satisfying rendition,” says Stronach. The show is also now represented by the creative producing firm ShowShow which the team views as incredibly fortunate. “They’re helping us bring Elementary to as many spaces as possible,” says Stronach. The show could also be reimagined as a more permanent museum installation or a touring production.
For those interested in experiencing the latest rendition of Elementary at La MaMa Kids this weekend, expect a slightly expanded cast, elevated puppeteering and elements of live music incorporated with the taped soundtrack. The 30-minute performance is followed by a 20-minute play session where babies and toddlers can interact with performers as well as explore the space and the many tactile props used in the production. Showtime is at 10am; a 2pm performance will be added if tickets sell out. Tickets are $15. La MaMa is located at 66 E. 4th Street, Lower East Side.
For further information on the La MaMa Kids series visit lamama.org.
Posted on September 30, 2026