Digging Up Dessa is the newest production from Metro Theater Company. This comedy-drama-adventure is designed for audiences age 10 and up. In-person and virtual performances take place on select afternoons and evenings through November 7.
Dessa is the modern-day 12-year old with no shortage of mysteries to solve and fossils to find. Her days are filled with buried treasures just waiting to be uncovered. But when her family of three unexpectedly becomes a family of two, this smart, funny young scientist struggles to overcome her grief and anger at all the changes in her world. Dessa's unlikely comfort comes from a remarkable new friend, one only she can see and hear - Mary Anning, the 19th century paleontologist who discovered a breakthrough dinosaur fossil at the age of 12 and became and pioneer in her field.
But why is her portrait not on the museum wall alongside those of her male counterparts? Dessa decides that she's going to fight to earn Mary the respect she deserves. With help from her new classmate and once-rival, Nilo, Dessa unearths secrets of the past and present - for Mary's legacy and her own way forward. Themes of the story include resilience, history, dealing with grief, empowerment for girls and STEAM.
Digging Up Dessa is an adventurous comedy-drama that runs 60 minutes in length and is appropriate for ages 10 and up. It's playing on select afternoons and evenings through November 7 at the Grandel Theatre. Virtual performances are available October 20-November 7.
In-person and virtual field trips for students are available Wednesdays through Fridays at 10 a.m. on select days.
For tickets and more information, visit metroplays.org
It's the Not-So-Haunted House that is oh-so-fun, where storybook characters come alive! Kids are invited to dress in their most "boo-tiful" Halloween costumes and have a ghoulishly good time going on a spook-tacular scavenger hunt throughout The Magic House to find trick-or-treat locations and seeing their favorite storybook characters.
Kids can work on existing gym skills, learn new skills or just play around during Open Gym at Miss Kelly's Gym in Creve Coeur.
A St. Louis family favorite – the Children's Garden at the Missouri Botanical Garden – will close for the season October 31 - November 1. Children are invited to have an adventure exploring all the Garden has to offer before the gates close.
Kids are the star of the show during the Central West End's Children's Costume Parade and Party. The parade begins at 11 a.m. followed by trick or treating at neighborhood businesses.
Enjoy some daytime Halloween fun at the World Bird Sanctuary during Owl-O-Ween! See "whooo" will be performing in the spooky shows, go digging in the graveyard of games, participate in a costume contest, craft a spidery web and lots more family-friendly fun.