Early Childhood & Arts Literacy Program

Imagine the lights dimming, the curtain rising, and The Very Hungry Caterpillar inching across the stage—bigger and brighter than any book can show. Little faces light up with gasps, giggles, and applause as they experience the magic of live performance.

Yet as arts programs shrink and families get busier, many young children miss out on these moments. That’s why State Theatre New Jersey created the Early Childhood Arts & Literacy Program—to spark imagination and build early reading skills in children five and under.

Designed for our youngest learners, the program transforms beloved children’s books into colorful, musical theatrical adventures. Local pre-K and kindergarten classes visit State Theatre New Jersey for these joyful performances—often a first-time experience for many underserved students. Each classroom also receives free copies of the featured books so the learning continues long after the show.

Backed by research showing that storytelling-rich arts experiences boost vocabulary, comprehension, and curiosity, the program has delighted thousands of young audience members since 2016 with favorites like Guess How Much I Love You, The Gruffalo, The Very Hungry Caterpillar, and The Rainbow Fish.

With every performance, we help little learners discover a lifelong love of reading—and the arts.