Article by Elena Ferrarin
Communications Coordinator
Northbrook Park District
The Northbrook Park District is delighted to welcome audiences back home for the 2026-27 Northbrook Theatre season after the renovation of the Northbrook Community Center.
The building features the familiar 268-seat Northbrook Theatre along with a new Studio Theatre with flex seating for up to 172.
Families especially love Northbrook Theatre for Young Audiences (NTYA), one of several companies under the umbrella of the Northbrook Theatre and the only one featuring professional actors. NTYA serves as a wonderful introduction to theater for children as young as 2 years old.
Northbrook Park District Visual and Performing Arts Manager Drew Kambach said he’s incredibly excited about the upcoming season of NTYA, which will feature four productions from September through April.
“What I love most is seeing the reaction of children in the audience: laughing, responding, or just becoming completely absorbed in the story,” Kambach said.
Among the four productions, two are audience favorites previously staged by NTYA (“The Tale of the Whale” and “Across the Sand”) and two are new to the Northbrook community featuring familiar stories (“Pete the Cat” and “If You Give a Mouse a Cookie”).
Each production offers something different with an engaging mix of characters, humor, music and imagination, Kambach said.
“I think the Northbrook community will really enjoy the variety, because each of these productions is an opportunity for families to experience something special,” he said. “For us, these shows are a great opportunity to reconnect with our longtime audiences while inviting new families to discover what makes NTYA amazing. We are confident that these performances will be memorable experiences for all our audience members, young and old. “
Jonathan Shmidt Chapman, an award-winning theater artist, writer and Jewish educator, will direct “The Tale of the Whale” and “Across the Sand.”
“I’m delighted to bring these productions back to NTYA, especially in the newly re-designed Studio Theatre,” he said. “Both productions will really immerse the audience into the world of the story, offering music, sensory engagement, and gentle interaction to bring these productions to life.”
The shows will offer very young audiences and their families the chance to get lost in a story and be transported by music, puppetry and participatory storytelling, he said.
“I’m also grateful to bring Jewish culture and tradition to the NTYA stages as part of this season, and to offer local audiences the chance to feel represented on stage, or the opportunity to learn about a tradition different from their own in an accessible way.”
Ashley Laverty, who directs “If You Give a Mouse a Cookie,” said audiences will walk away with the positive message that magic and fun can be found anywhere if one remains open to new friendships and adventures.
Laverty is the founding artistic director of Kerfuffle, a nonprofit theater and dance company devoted to creating performances with and for children ages 6 and under. She praised the park district for devoting resources to presenting high-quality programming for young audiences.
“The fact there is a professional theater company housed in the park district is so unique and so special.” she says. “Creating high-quality theater for young people is vital, because the arts are so important to having well-rounded lives. It’s an incredibly important and really special resource that the community has.”
Shmidt Chapman agreed. “In the national landscape, it is quite unique to find a professional theater supported by the town and housed within a park district system like NTYA. I’m honored to be a part of it, and to bring immersive sensory theater to the season’s programming.”
2026-27 NTYA presents:
“The Tale of the Whale”
Sept. 13-26
Directed by Jonathan Shmidt Chapman
Best for ages 2-5
Climb aboard and join the ship’s crew for a multi-sensory theatrical journey across the ocean, under the waves and inside the belly of a whale! This immersive, interactive retelling will be the first production presented in the new Studio Theatre, which offers a wonderful new space with a major upgrade in technical elements.
“Pete the Cat”
Nov. 14-Dec. 6
Directed by Kate Sullivan Coombs
Best for ages 4 and up
Everybody’s favorite guitar-playing cat takes his buddy Jimmy Biddle on a global adventure in this crowd-pleasing musical based on the hit book series. This high-energy, colorful, 55-minute family show is filled with upbeat rock songs, interactive fourth-wall breaks, and a charming story about friendship.
“If You Give a Mouse a Cookie”
Feb. 6-28
Directed by Ashley Laverty
Best for ages 4 and up
Mouse may be adorable, but he is full of questions. And energy. And he’s hungry. What can Boy do, but give Mouse a cookie? But then he’s going to want a glass of milk… This fast-paced, cookie-fueled comedy is filled with physical humor, oversized set and props, and interactive moments.
“Across the Sand”
April 10-25
Directed by Jonathan Shmidt Chapman
Best for ages 4 and up
Audiences will be transported to Ancient Egypt for an interactive retelling of the Passover story complete with live music. The production features original music and interactive table seats, along with new instrumentation and updated scenic layout.
More theater offerings
In addition to Northbrook Theatre for Young Audiences, Northbrook Theatre is also home to Northbrook Theatre Youth Company and Northbrook Community Theatre. Both feature actors from the community, with auditions held for each show.
Upcoming shows are:
• “Beetlejuice JR” by Northbrook Theatre Youth Company on Oct. 20-25
• “Fools” by Northbrook Adult Community Theatre on Nov. 6-8
• “Yes, Virgina, there is a Santa Claus” by Northbrook Community Theatre on Dec. 11-13
Northbrook Theatre is located at 3323 Walters Ave. in Northbrook. For questions, call 847-291-2995 or email info@nbparks.org.