Science fiction has a way of helping young writers ask the biggest questions about technology, loss, power and what it means to be human. That spirit was on full display at this year’s Tomorrow Prize ceremony at Vroman’s Bookstore in Pasadena, where professional actors performed Los Angeles County high school students’ finalist stories and the teens were honored in front of family, mentors and supporters.

The Tomorrow Prize is presented through the Omega Sci-Fi Project, founded by Sci-Fest L.A and run by the LightBringer Project. L.A. Parent has co-sponsored the prize since 2019, proudly publishing the first-prize story in print and online. This year’s recipient is Abigail Lee, a junior at Westridge School for Girls in Pasadena. 

Omega Sci-Fi honored 21 students from across L.A. County for their sci-fi stories and teachers who invited the organization into their classrooms to lead writing workshops. There were 13 honorable mentions and six finalists. Theodore Kinsella, a junior at Venice High School, won third place; Jadyn Manguera Shin, a junior at Westridge School for Girls, was named second-place winner. Yedsen Troy Dela Cruz, a senior at Hollywood High School, and Hanaa Belkacemi, a senior at Port of Los Angeles High School, rounded out the finalists. 

Lee volunteers at Shriners Children’s Hospital and plays soccer. At school, she studies psychology and serves as a student support leader. During a class, she read an article about the rise and harm in using AI chatbots as therapy.  After conducting more research, she discovered the concept of “AI grief bots,” artificial intelligence tools people use to simulate conversations with lost loved ones. 

Fascinated and unsettled by the ethical implications, Lee was inspired to write a story that explores the boundaries between memory, grief and technology. Below is the powerful result: “File: Anna Bishop.”

FILE: ANNA BISHOP

By Abigail Lee

The steak was cooked exactly how Willem liked it — perfectly seared crust around a warm, pink center. I sat stiffly in the dining room chair, my feet drawing circles in the fibers of the carpet, a smart-lens hugging my left eye’s retina. 

This was routine at 7 p.m.: The hum of the news coming from the television, accompanied by a home-cooked meal under the soft glow of the chandelier. It was almost perfect.

Across from me was Willem Doherty. He was smiling, looking right at me with his hands folded and elbows resting on the mahogany table. It was the same look he had given me on our first date. 

Suddenly, he began to flicker like a dying lightbulb, one eye blurring into his lips before resetting back to his former disposition. It almost felt real.

“You’re awfully quiet tonight, Anna,” he said, breaking the silence. The warmth and melody of his voice was exactly how I remembered it.

“Just thinking,” I whispered back.

***

Today is Aug. 21, 2083. Exactly one year since I lost Willem.

We had attended the same college in upstate New York. With his head of messy auburn hair and shoulders that seemed too broad for the narrow library aisles, he was impossible to miss back then. Shortly after we graduated, we moved into an apartment together. Everyone from college said we’d be the first to get married. I wish this were true. I wish I had known you were struggling. 

When the government first announced that AI would replace all therapists, Willem was skeptical. I still remember his face when he came home, his brows so deeply furrowed that they’d almost kissed. I remember looking into his wide, frantic eyes that carried his disbelief. 

He drove all the way to his therapist’s office in denial, only to be met with a dim building just bright enough to make out a sign on the window that read, “Lumi: the light at the end of the tunnel.” 

Willem had said that robots could never replace human interaction. That they would never truly understand. Nobody knows where they all went. The real therapists, I mean. They all vanished, as if they were deleted from the system.

Eventually, Willem fell into Lumi’s sticky embrace. He was always a little too trusting. He was a man who looked for the best in everything — until it finally consumed him. He entrusted Lumi with the raw, jagged pieces of himself he used to hide from the world. What started with a simple daily check-in soon became an hourly practice. I would find him sitting in front of the computer, his eyes glazed over, his hands in frenetic motion, eager to know what Lumi would say next. He swore the machine understood him better than any human ever could.

“You know, this Lumi thing is great! I feel like I can talk to her about anything,” he always said.

“Willem, you mean it? Lumi isn’t real.” I had to remind him every time. 

“You know what I mean, Anna. I don’t know. It’s just nice to hear the validation. Like, look at this: I told Lumi how I was scared of losing that job, and it said, ‘Right now, you don’t need to solve your whole life. You just need to get through this moment.’ Isn’t that great? She…I mean it told me it saw me for who I truly was.”

I think this is when I began to lose him. 

***

Swish-Thump.

The rain stomped heavily on my windshield, almost as if it were pointedly drowning out this painful memory. Wearing your smart-lens in the car is now forbidden, at least it is here in New York. Last week, there was a pileup on the Henry Hudson Bridge. A driver’s lens had glitched, projecting a pedestrian darting across the street, causing the driver to swerve into oncoming traffic. 

I had tucked mine into the glove compartment so I wouldn’t be tempted to wear it, but my eye felt so naked…so vulnerable. Without the lens, the world was drained of its color. My vision felt grainy. My eye ached. I missed the way the lens smoothed over the gray edges of reality. 

But I think I finally get it now, Willem. This whole Lumi thing, I mean. It’s like sitting at your desk with work scattered everywhere, telling yourself you’ll stop doomscrolling while your 10-minute break turns into hours. I can’t forget you, Willem. Not yet. I’m not ready to let you go. 

I’m driving to you right now. I think I finally got used to the route. Make a left onto Cliff Avenue, then a right on Sunset. 

I tried to mimic his voice in my head. I breathed in the car’s same scent of fresh red roses. Drip…drop. My shoulders tightened. You know how I always hated driving in the rain. 

I quickly pulled into the cemetery, the tires crunching over wet gravel. Eager, I ripped open the glove compartment and peeled back the lid of the shiny, black capsule in which the lens rested. I stretched my eyelid with my left thumb and pointer finger, guiding the lens home, blinking to reset my vision. With a cold and trembling finger, I tapped through the beads of sweat on my temple to reactivate the stream.

“I’m here, Anna. I’m here. Just take a deep breath,” Willem said from the passenger seat. I let out a sigh of relief. It was so good to hear that voice again — not just some voice I’d constructed in my head.

I opened the car door, bracing myself for the rain until I heard him again.

“Why are you leaving the shelter of your car? You hate the rain. Just stay here with me, Anna, and all your problems will be fixed,” he reassured.

But I needed out. “I have to go out there,” I choked out, reaching over the center console to grab the roses from the projection’s translucent lap.

I stepped out into the downpour, the cold water instantly soaking through my clothes. Through the lens, I watched him step out of the car, too. He walked beside me, though the puddles he walked through remained undisturbed. 

“The flowers are beautiful,” Willem said. “But you’re shivering. You’re going to get sick. You know I’m always here.” 

He looked at me with the same smile — except this time it felt different. The real Willem would’ve scolded me, told me I should’ve brought one of my dozens of umbrellas sitting at home. I missed his negativity keeping me in place. It was genuine. It was real.

When we reached the gravestone, I saw his name, Willem Doherty, carved in cold, immobile text. I looked at the stone, weathered and wet from the rain. Then I looked at the glowing, flickering man standing over it — not a single bead of rain on his skin. My vision became blurry. A pit dragged in my throat.

“You’re not wet. You’re not shivering,” I whispered to myself. 

“You’re not wet. You’re not shivering,” I repeated, my voice less audible with every word. I looked at the roses in my hand. They were wilting, their petals bruised by the rain. 

They were dying, just like Willem had. By keeping this lens on, I wasn’t honoring him; I was selfishly keeping him trapped in the very system he once feared. I was continuing to feed Lumi the pieces of Willem that I needed most. I hooked my cold and wet fingers under the edge of the lens. The software flashed in bright red: DISCONNECTION DETECTED. MAY CAUSE EMOTIONAL DISTRESS.

“Anna, if you disconnect, who will you have?” the bot warned, its formerly vibrant voice bent into an automated tone. “You will truly be alone…forev-”

I gently scraped the lens’s edges until it folded and jumped into the tall blades of dewy grass, the moisture from the rain seeping into the delicate device. The glowing, perfect version of Willem vanished instantly, swallowed by the downpour. The rain came crashing down harder, yet I wasn’t afraid. 

The silence was heavy and the cold was biting, sinking its teeth into my clothes until I felt it in my bones. For the first time, I didn’t have a voice telling me everything was OK. I didn’t have a face preserving the past. I just had the rain, the dirt and the jarring, beautiful truth that he was gone. 

“You’re gone,” I said finally, wiping the mixture of water and grass off his grave. 

The words tasted wrong. Like betrayal.

But they were true.

“You’re gone,” I repeated, louder this time, letting the rain swallow the sound.

I sat there for a while. Long enough for my hands to become numb. Long enough for the roses to sink further into themselves. Long enough for the rain to seep through all my clothes.

I looked back at the empty passenger seat in my car.

No Willem.

No soft voice.

No glowing silhouette.

Just me.

The post Pasadena Student Wins Tomorrow Prize with AI and Grief Story appeared first on L.A. Parent.

Samantha Leeds is a 15-year-old student from Crossroads High School in West L.A., with a passion for acting, writing and filmmaking and a love for Shakespeare. Two years ago, Samantha created The Riot Stage, a theater and film company. She brought in her beloved drama teacher and mentor, Zoey Zimmerman, who had recently retired from Crossroads, to help with creative direction on the plays. You can see The Riot Stage’s original play, which Samantha describes as “in vein of School of Rock meets Shakespeare,” on May 20 and 21 at The Odyssey Theater.

We recently chatted with Samantha about her love of theatre and how she started The Riot Stage.

When did your love of theatre and storytelling begin and what sparked it?

Ever since I was really little, honestly as young as four or five years old, I’ve been drawn to storytelling, acting, writing and performing. I’ve done theater for as long as I can remember, and I still have journals from kindergarten where I was constantly writing stories and ideas. I always knew I wanted to be an actor and a writer because performing and storytelling genuinely makes me feel the most like myself.

A huge turning point for me was middle school, when I started doing Shakespeare through my school’s DTASC (Drama Teachers Association of Southern California) competitions with my teacher Zoey Zimmerman. I completely fell in love with Shakespeare, the emotion, the language, the drama, the humor, the psychology of the characters. I played roles like Juliet and Lady Macbeth, and our team won first place at the DTASC Shakespeare festival two years in a row.

Around that same time, I started wanting to combine my love of acting and writing with filmmaking. I grew up obsessed with movies and storytelling, and eventually I realized that if I was acting in projects and writing them, too, I also wanted to direct them and shape the entire vision. That’s when I started making short films and experimenting with being a writer, director and actor all at once. I recently made a short film called “The Upright Hustle” for which I won the New Talent Award at The National Film Festival for Talented Youth (NFFTY) in Seattle which is widely considered the largest and most prestigious film festival for emerging filmmakers under 25. I also was awarded the Best Young Filmmaker at the Independent Shorts Awards. 

How did you create The Riot Stage and get the shows produced?

The Riot Stage started because after seventh grade, when our Shakespeare team had won two consecutive years at DTASC, Zoey retired from her full-time teaching position at Crossroads and the school discontinued participating in that event. I really wanted to continue doing Shakespeare, but when I looked around Los Angeles, I couldn’t find any youth Shakespeare programs. So I had the idea to start my own company.

I approached Zoey about becoming the creative director, and together we started building The Riot Stage when I was 14 years old and in ninth grade. Last year was our inaugural season, and at first it was mostly students I recruited from my own school. Since then, the company has grown quite a bit. We brought in ten new students this year from schools all across L.A., and there’s been a growing excitement and momentum surrounding the company.

This year, I wrote an original play for the company to produce, with Zoey directing. The show is called “The Riot Stage: The Play. The Movie.” It’s an original production that blends live performance and film sequences into a cinematic coming-of-age underdog story. The play also incorporates Shakespeare text throughout, as it’s set around a high school Shakespeare competition (like DTASC), very much in the vein of “School of Rock” meets Shakespeare.

Building the company has been a huge learning experience because I’ve really had to create it from the ground up. Beyond writing and acting, I’ve learned leadership, collaboration, organization, fundraising, producing, budgeting, marketing, scheduling and how to bring together a group of people around a shared creative vision. This season is much more ambitious and on a much bigger scale than last year, so it’s pushed me creatively and personally in a lot of ways.

One thing that’s especially important to me is accessibility and community. This year The Riot Stage gave multiple scholarships to students who otherwise would not have been able to participate. My larger vision is to create a company where young people from different schools and backgrounds can come together through storytelling and Shakespeare and truly have their lives transformed by it.

Are you planning to pursue theatre arts beyond high school?

Definitely. I love theater, filmmaking, writing, acting, and directing, and my dream is to continue doing all of those things professionally. I want to direct movies, act in them, write them, and still stay connected to theater, too. Right now, I’m especially interested in projects that combine live performance and film in new ways. I think younger audiences are really hungry for theater that feels cinematic, emotionally immediate and modern while still being rooted in classic storytelling.

Long term, one of my biggest goals is to adapt this Riot Stage production into a feature film. I’d also love to study Theater, English Literature or Film Studies in college, and some of my dream schools are Yale and UCLA because both have incredible programs in the areas I’m most passionate about. I also really love the creative, academic and social environments at both schools, along with their strong artistic cultures. Yale is especially meaningful to me because my amazing teacher and director Zoey Zimmerman went there, and UCLA is also a personal favorite since my dad went there.

What are some of the challenges you faced as a young artist trying to produce this play/movie?

One challenge is that people sometimes underestimate young artists before they actually see the work. There can be this assumption that because you’re young, the project won’t be serious or professional. But producing something ambitious involves very real responsibilities, organizing rehearsals, raising money, booking theater space, managing schedules, solving technical problems, leading a group and constantly adapting when things go wrong. It’s also required me to really put myself out there, which has definitely helped me grow as a person.

Another huge challenge is balancing school, life, friendships and everything else while trying to create something at a professional level. This is now my second year running The Riot Stage, and as the company gets bigger, my academic responsibilities and personal life also get bigger. Sometimes it can definitely feel overwhelming because at the end of the day, I’m still a teenager balancing a lot at once.

But I’ve learned that producing is really about problem-solving and persistence. I’ve also learned how important organization is. I live by planners, calendars, digital to-do lists, physical notebooks, everything. Having a strong support system has also been incredibly important throughout the process.

What have you learned in this process?

I’ve learned how much I truly love the process itself. While the outcomes are important, it’s the process itself that gives the work meaning for me. I’ve learned that creativity is only one part of bringing a vision to life. Leadership, communication, resilience and collaboration matter just as much. And I’ve learned how important it is to trust other people creatively and to stay open to new ideas that evolve during the process.

I’ve also learned that young people are capable of much more than adults sometimes expect. If teenagers are trusted with real responsibility and given the chance to lead creatively, they can do incredible things.

Most importantly, I’ve learned that creating art can genuinely bring people together. Watching students from different schools and backgrounds become close through Shakespeare and storytelling has been one of the most meaningful parts of this experience for me.

What advice do you have for other young artists in L.A.?

Don’t wait for permission to start creating. A lot of people spend years waiting until they feel experienced enough or qualified enough, but you really learn by making things. Start now, even if it’s small at first.

Also, don’t be afraid to put yourself out there, share your work, and let people see your creativity. That can feel vulnerable, but it’s worth it. Los Angeles is full of incredibly creative people, and collaboration is such a huge part of growing as an artist. Find people who inspire you and who genuinely want to build things together.

And don’t be afraid to make projects that feel personal or different. Usually the work that connects most deeply with people is the work that feels the most honest.

What are some of your other passions?

Besides theater and filmmaking, I love baking, interior design, antiquing and thrifting. I think a lot of creative people naturally become interested in many different forms of creativity and expression, and I always encourage people to try creative things even if they’re outside their comfort zone.

I’m also very involved at school and in leadership. I’m the elected secretary of student council, an awarded Model UN delegate, and co-president of Women in Film at my school. I’m also the co-founder of the very first high school pickleball league in California, which began with starting a varsity pickleball team at my school. That experience has taught me a lot about leadership, collaboration and building community around something you care about.

Another thing that’s really important to me is tutoring elementary school students from underserved communities in reading and writing each week. Education and storytelling have had such a huge impact on my life, so being able to help younger students build confidence in themselves is really meaningful to me.

What do you enjoy doing in L.A. with your family and friends?

I love how creative and eclectic Los Angeles is. With my family and friends, I love watching movies at historic theaters around the city, exploring different neighborhoods, trying new restaurants, visiting flea markets and farmers markets, and going to live theater performances whenever I can. I also love going to the beach and spending time outdoors around L.A.

I’m also a huge fan of fun L.A. experiences like Universal Studios and other theme parks. My friends and I spend a lot of time working on creative projects together, too, whether that’s making short films, rehearsing scenes, taking photos or brainstorming ideas.

One thing I love most about L.A. is that there’s inspiration everywhere. It’s such a huge and diverse city that you can constantly discover new places, new people and new creative energy.

The post Meet the Los Angeles Teen Behind a Growing Theater and Film Company appeared first on L.A. Parent.

Latino Theater Company’s latest production “Level Up!” asks: what does it mean to live as your true, authentic self? Co-commissioned by Latino Theater Company and Children’s Theatre Company of Minneapolis as part of the Generation Now initiative supported by the Mellon Foundation, this family-friendly new play by local playwright Gabriel Rivas Gómez follows Desi López, a trans tween who is afraid to come out to her family.

In real life, Desi is still seen as a boy, but in her virtual world The Proxy, she has the freedom to exist as her true self. Through live performance, projection and inventive design, “Level Up!” explores identity, family and transformation in an era increasingly shaped by virtual reality.

The World Premiere of “Level Up” debuts April 4 and runs through May 3. For the first time LATC is offering free childcare for kids ages 4 – 12. Featuring fun, age-appropriate activities led by a trusted childcare team, free childcare will be available during the Saturday matinee performances.

“We are incredibly excited to offer childcare to our patrons for the first time. This has been a dream of ours for many years, rooted in our commitment to making theater truly accessible to families,” says Jose Luis Valenzuela, Artistic Director. “We know that a day at the theater can feel like a luxury, and we never want cost or logistics to prevent our community from experiencing powerful, meaningful stories together. We hope this is just the beginning of being able to offer childcare for many productions to come.”

“Level Up!” is appropriate for ages 10 and up. Performances on Thursdays and Fridays at 8 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays at 2 p.m. April 4 – May 3. Tickets range $10 – $48. Opening matinee on April 4 is $75, which includes a post-performance reception. $100 family pack tickets (two adults and two children) are available for performances on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays (except for previews and opening matinee).

Latino Theater Company is located at the Los Angeles Theatre Center,514 S Spring St, Los Angeles, CA 90013.

The post Latino Theater Company’s “Level Up” Brings Family-Friendly Theater and Free Childcare to LA appeared first on L.A. Parent.

Now in its 18th year, Expressing Motherhood has become a beloved platform for sharing personal stories through monologues, music and poetry. Each piece drawn from real life and performed live. Every show is different, shaped by the voices of the performers and the community in which it’s staged.

“Our shows this winter include moms at all stages of parenting — and one son,” says creator and director Lindsay Kavet. “It was important that this show felt uplifting as times are deeply challenging. Coming together to listen to one another deepens our sense of community.”

Rooted in community — and close to home for L.A. Parent

This Glendale production holds special meaning for L.A. Parent. Our digital editor, Nina Harada, is among the performers taking the stage, sharing her own story as part of the cast. In addition, Editor-in-Chief Cassandra Lane performed in Expressing Motherhood in 2018, an experience she describes as life-changing, particularly in helping her uncover a deeper confidence and clarity in public speaking and storytelling.

That personal connection underscores what makes Expressing Motherhood impactful: its ability to create brave space for honesty, vulnerability and connection — onstage and off.

Stories that reflect the realities of parenthood

Created by Kavet, Expressing Motherhood explores the many dimensions of modern parenting, including fertility journeys, identity shifts, partnership and marriage, loss, joy, resilience and love. The show has toured nationally and was adapted into a “Parenting in the Pandemic” series during COVID, reaching families during an especially isolating time.

Each production blends local voices with national performers. “We’ve had people fly in to be part of our shows before,” Kavet says. “But highlighting voices from the surrounding community makes each evening especially meaningful.”

The impact has been widely recognized. Journalist and advocate Maria Shriver has called the show “the modern village for moms.”

Giving back while coming together

More than an evening of theater, the Glendale performances will also support local families in need. Attendees are encouraged to bring non-perishable food items, which will be donated to the local nonprofit Hang Out Do Good.

Whether you’re a parent, caregiver or simply someone who appreciates authentic storytelling, Expressing Motherhood offers an evening that reminds us we’re never alone.

Tickets are available online.

WHAT: Expressing Motherhood SHOW

WHERE: Sparr Heights Community Center, Glendale

WHEN: 5 p.m., Jan. 31 & Feb. 1

The post Expressing Motherhood Brings Powerful Parenting Stories to Glendale appeared first on L.A. Parent.

By Julia Rivera, Los Angeles Ballet Executive Director

For many kids, a love of ballet begins not in a studio but at home, twirling to music or watching dancers glide on stage. In Los Angeles, families have plenty of ways to discover ballet’s beauty and discipline thanks to Los Angeles Ballet (LAB), the city’s premier professional ballet company. LAB acts as a cultural bridge, making ballet accessible, inclusive and family-friendly.

Founded in 2006, Los Angeles Ballet is renowned for its classic performances such as The Nutcracker and Swan Lake, but also for its strong commitment to outreach and education. These values resonate with parents eager to nurture creativity and curiosity in their children.

Why Ballet Still Belongs in Childhood
In today’s fast-paced world of activities, ballet offers something different: It teaches presence, focus, discipline and sparks imagination. Lisa B., a mom from Culver City, says, “Ballet teaches children how to work hard and express themselves at the same time. There’s beauty in that balance.” 

Science backs this up. Studies show dance improves emotional regulation, cognitive development and physical coordination. A 2025 study* in Frontiers in Psychology highlights how dance enhances executive functions like attention and memory, skills valuable beyond dance.

Access for All: The POP! Program
One of LAB’s most impactful initiatives is the Power of Performance (POP!) program, which provides free tickets to seniors in assisted living, veterans, children in foster care and other service support organizations throughout Los Angeles County. POP! breaks down financial barriers, often introducing ballet for the first time and sparking lifelong passion. Miguel T., a parent from East Los Angeles, shares, “When I took my 6-year-old to The Nutcracker through POP!, she was enchanted. It was like a fairy tale come to life. And because tickets were free, we brought the whole family.”
Explore more about POP! at losangelesballet.org/pop

Ballet as a Shared Family Experience
For parents, ballet is more than a show — it’s a chance to bond with their children. Watching performances, discussing stories or dancing together at home creates lasting memories. LAB’s annual The Nutcracker is a cherished tradition, offering beautiful costumes, memorable music and an engaging story that captivates children and adults alike.

A Chance To Dance Program
Through our A Chance To Dance program, Los Angeles Ballet offers community days each month open to all ages, incorporating a theme around which the day’s events are centered. Los Angeles Ballet Company dancers teach free ballet classes, alternative dance/fitness classes and lectures/demonstrations for a range of experience levels and age groups.
Check the monthly schedule at: https://www.losangelesballet.org/a-chance-to-dance

Tips for Introducing Kids to Ballet
Start with stories: Choose narrative-rich ballets like The Nutcracker or Cinderella. Children connect easily with storytelling through dance.
Pick family-friendly shows: LAB’s performances usually run under two hours and include intermissions, perfect for young audiences.
Make it interactive: Talk before and after the show. Ask what they noticed or who their favorite character was.
Encourage movement: After the performance, invite kids to dance at home. Ballet’s magic continues beyond the theater.

Final Thoughts
As parents, we seek meaningful ways to introduce children to the arts, not just as spectators but as participants in a broader cultural story. Los Angeles Ballet invites families to explore ballet with curiosity, joy and openness, not perfection. Whether nurturing a future dancer or building a new family tradition, LAB offers a timeless and timely way to connect with your child through beauty, music and movement.

Learn more about upcoming shows and family programs at https://www.losangelesballet.org or follow us on Instagram at @losangelesballet or on Facebook @LABallet.

________________

*Guy Cheron, Editor. Deborah A. Jehu, Judith Bek, Madeleine E. Hackney, “Editorial: Exploring effects of group and partnership dynamics in dance on mental and physical health,” Frontiers in Psychology, October 12, 2025.https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychology/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1697858/full

The post Los Angeles Ballet Makes Dance Accessible for Every Family appeared first on L.A. Parent.

The Educational Impact of Live Theater
Research consistently shows that students who experience live theater perform better academically. Live is a great way to expose kids to a wide variety of expressive language and diverse perspectives in a fun and engaging way. Shows like Disney’s 30th Anniversary production of BEAUTY AND THE BEAST and THE SOUND OF MUSIC showcase strong, intelligent characters who emphasize the importance of reading and exploring the world musically and with an open heart. 

Inspiring Stories & Empowering Role Models
Broadway has no shortage of strong role models to inspire young audiences. Take SUFFS, for example, about the brilliant, passionate and funny American women who fought tirelessly for the right to vote. SUFFS is created by Shaina Taub, the first woman to ever independently win Tony Awards for Best Book and Best Score in the same season. Similar to Hamilton, SUFFS brings history to life and is briming with trailblazing women, bound to empower audiences of all ages.

Building Community Through Theater
Theater doesn’t just entertain, it builds community. Shared experiences on stage help strengthen empathy, collaboration and creativity. A great example is  DUNGEONS & DRAGONS THE TWENTY-SIDED TAVERN, an interactive fantasy adventure on stage. This show actively involves the audience and fosters teamwork, storytelling, and imagination in an unforgettable format.

Resources for Parents and Educators
The Hollywood Pantages Theatre is happy to provide numerous helpful resources for parents and educators, including a Parent Guide to help families navigate our season and select the perfect shows. Visit our website to find show descriptions, age recommendations and downloadable educational guides provided by the productions themselves. These often include:

• Historical background
• Behind-the-scenes theater facts
• Workshops and classroom activities
• Important content advisories

Group Benefits & School Partnerships
We love working with schools and educational groups to make theatre more accessible. We offer:

• Student discounts (on select performances)
• Flexible payment options
• No-risk reservations (reserve seats now, adjust later)

Interested in bringing your group? Fill out our easy-to-use Group Sales Request Form on our website.

Help your kids discover the power of live theater. With world-class productions, engaging stories and unforgettable characters, the Hollywood Pantages Theatre is your destination for Broadway in LA.

The post LIVE THEATRE: ENRICHING, ENTERTAINING AND ENGAGING STUDENTS AND FAMILIES appeared first on L.A. Parent.

From beaches to city parks, discover the best free and family-friendly outdoor movie nights happening across Los Angeles.

With our perfect weather, L.A. has outdoor movie nights year-round, but summertime has sees even more screenings under the stars. We’ve rounded up our favorite kid-friendly movie nights in L.A. the whole family can enjoy.

Movies & Music: Despicable Me 4

6:30 p.m. Thurs., Jul 31 | Westminister Civic Center

Grab some popcorn and your lawn chair! Westminster is showing the latest hit movies, and occasional throwback movie, at the Civic Center Sunken Gardens. The community is invited to gather for a free movie on Thursday nights. Enjoy exciting activities, crafts, games, giveaways, and more! Movie showing will begin at dusk. Delicious food, drinks, and desserts will also be available for purchase from food trucks. More info.

Beach Movie Nights: Dockweiler Youth Center

Fridays Aug. 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 at 8 p.m. | Dockweiler Youth Center

Enjoy free family-friendly movie screenings on the sand, by the waves, and under the stars at the Dockweiler Youth Center, Friday nights this summer! Be sure to bring blankets and bundle up. All movies start at 8 p.m. Seating is festival-style, available on a first-come, first-served basis. There is absolutely no reserved seating for the public.

Next Beach Movie Nights include”Lilo and Stitch” on Aug. 1, “The Garfield Movie” on Aug. 8, “Venom: The Last Dance” on Aug. 15, “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” on Aug. 22 and “Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice” on Aug. 29. More info.

Movies in the Park: Alhambra Park

Saturdays Aug. 2 & 9 at 7 p.m. | Alhambra Park

Enjoy free movies at Alhambra Park Bandshell every Saturday this summer. Pre-show entertainment starts at 7 p.m. and movies begin at dusk. On Aug. 2 enjoy a live animal show followed by “Kung Fu Panda.” On Aug. 9 enjoy a Megara appearance followed by “Hercules.” Bring a blanket, grab some snacks, and enjoy movie magic in the park. More info.

Moonlight Movies on the Beach

Tuesdays Aug. 5 & 12 at 8 p.m.| Granada Beach

Grab a blanket or chair and picnic for a cozy movie night on the beach. Local food trucks and kettle corn vendor will be on site. Movies start at sunset. On Aug. 5 sing-a-long to “Grease.” On Aug. 12 enjoy a screening of “Lilo and Stitch.” More info.

Agoura Hills Movies in the Park 2025: Despicable Me 4

7:45 p.m. Sat., Aug. 9 | Reyes Adobe Historical Site

Enjoy family-friendly films, activities and community fun under the stars at Reyes Adobe Park! Each evening includes photo opportunities, crafts, raffles, costume contests and more. Movies begin at dusk (Saturday evenings). Bring a beach chair or blanket. More info.

Seaside Movie Nights: Ventura Harbor Village

Saturdays Aug. 9, Sept. 6 & Oct. 11 | Ventura Harbor Village

Join Ventura Harbor Village for “Nostalgia on the Big Screen,“ a tribute to the epic films of the ‘70s, ‘80s, and ‘90s. Arrive early to soak in the coastal ambiance. On Aug. 9 “phone home” for Steven Spielberg’s “E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial” with glow crafts and giveaways kicking off at 7 p.m., followed by the film at 8 p.m. On Sept. 6 celebrate the 50th anniversary of “JAWS” with thrilling surprises and interactive fun beginning at 6:30 p.m., followed by the screening at 7:30 p.m. On Oct. 11 get spellbound by Halloween cult favorite “Hocus Pocus” with a costume contest at 5:30 p.m. followed by the film at 6:30 p.m.

Dine waterside, enjoy DJ tunes, costume contests, and giveaways before the show. Bring low-back chairs and cozy blankets—then settle in with fresh popped kettle corn, coffee, or tasty takeout from Village restaurants.

Movies Under the Stars at One Colorado

Saturdays Aug. 9 & 23 | One Colorado

Bring your blankets, chairs and snacks for a family movie night under the stars. Aug. 9 is “School of Rock” and Aug. 23 is “Coco.” More info.

Marina Movie Nights

Saturdays Sept. 13, 20 & 27 at 8 p.m. | Burton Chace Park

Pack your picnic baskets and bring the family to Burton Chace Park on Saturday nights to enjoy free outdoor movie screenings – by the water and under the stars! Seating is festival-style, available on a first-come, first-served basis. There is absolutely no reserved seating for the public. All movies start at 8 p.m. Be sure to bundle up. Next 2025 Marina Movie Nights include “Grease” on Sept. 13, “Shrek” on Sept. 20 and “Grown Ups” on Sept. 27. More info.

Move Night: Mean Girls

8 p.m. Fri., Oct. 3 | Ivy Station

Join Ivy Station for their final night celebrating iconic high school movies with this free, outdoor screening of “Mean Girls” (2004). Lawn opens at 7 p.m. Movie begins at 8 p.m. Enjoy Pre-show early 2000s jams, complimentary popcorn and movie candy for purchase. Bring a picnic blanket or low beach-style chair (no higher than 6 inches off the ground) to sit on. It’s not Wednesday but wearing pink is encouraged! More info.

MOVIES on The Steps: Ghostbusters

8 p.m. Fri., Oct. 17 | The Culver Steps

Join The Culver Steps for this family-friendly classic film. Arrive by 8 p.m. in time for the movie, which begins at sunset (approximately 8:30 p.m.) and will be shown outdoors (weather permitting) on the center’s iconic steps; attendees are encouraged to bring blankets to sit on. Complimentary one-hour parking at The Culver Steps as well as complimentary popcorn (while supplies last) will be provided. More info.

Fore more movie nights and other family-friendly events, check out our online calendar.

The post The Best Outdoor Movie Nights in L.A. for Families 2025 appeared first on L.A. Parent.

C-SPAN and Spectrum representatives recognized the winning students and their teacher, Jeff Montooth, who served as their StudentCam adviser, at an assembly of classmates, teachers, family members and elected officials.

For this year’s competition, C-SPAN, in cooperation with its cable and satellite television partners, asked middle and high school students to address a theme — “Your Message to the President: What issue is most important to you or your community?” In response, nearly 3,500 students from 42 states and Washington, D.C. sent more than 1,700 entries to C-SPAN.

Award-winning documentaries

Several freshmen from Poly High received top honors and cash prizes for their documentaries:

Second-Place Prize ($1,500):

Nolan Sheets, Rene Ortega and Roman Leonor, freshmen, won second prize and $1,500 for the video “Crime: Perception vs. Reality.”

Third-Place Prize ($750):

Sara Kong, a freshman, for the video “Ocean Acidification: Small Changes, Big Problems.”

Honorable Mentions ($250)

Isabella Sim and Owen Gurga, freshmen, for the video “Editing the Future: Bridging Science, Society, and Policy in Gene Editing.”

Juliet Haesly and Megan Lee, freshmen, for the video “No Means No.”

Eliza Floto and Brianna Goldstein, freshmen, for the video “The Divided States of America: Is the United States Really United?”

Natalie Hebdon, a freshman, for the video “A Safer Tomorrow: America’s Need for Enhanced Disaster Protection.”

“Congratulations to all of the incredibly talented young students who won awards in this year’s competition,” C-SPAN’s Director of Education Relations Craig McAndrew said. “Through in-depth research and interviews with an array of topical and technical experts, [they] have crafted impactful short stories that capture issues of wide public interest and importance. [Their] documentaries set a very high bar for future StudentCam filmmakers.”

C-SPAN is funded by America’s cable and satellite television companies as a commercial-free public service. In Long Beach, C-SPAN is available through Spectrum, the local partner in StudentCam. 

“As a long-time supporter of StudentCam, we are continually inspired by the curiosity and creativity students bring to C-SPAN’s annual competition,” Senior Vice President of State Government Affairs for Spectrum Adam Falk said. “The program provides a unique opportunity for young people to showcase the critical thinking, problem solving and civic engagement skills essential for informed and active communities. We celebrate this year’s winners and look forward to watching them continue to follow their passion for storytelling through this medium.”

Popular Topics Explored

Now in its 21st year, this project-based learning experience asked students to explore and analyze matters of personal, local or national importance.The most popular topics addressed were: 

• Climate, environment and land use (11%)
• K-12 education policies and the cost of college (10%)
• Health care and mental health (10%)
• Gun violence, school safety and firearm policies (9%)
• Inflation, taxes, government spending and the economy (9%)

In addition to the grand prize and first-prize winners, C-SPAN awarded 16 second prizes, 32 third prizes and 97 honorable mention prizes. The StudentCam competition has awarded more than $1.6 million in prizes since 2004. You can watch all 150 winning videos from this year’s competition at StudentCam.org.

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“Manecdotes” returns to The Colony Theatre in Burbank at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, June 24. The 90-minute collection of stories will be preceded at 6:30 p.m. with a half-hour of live music by the Nash-Berry Family Band, featuring Ken Berry, a guitar player who toured with and continues to work in the studio with Barry Manilow.

Berry has written music for television for more than 30 years. His wife, Connie Nassios, is a keyboard and bass player who toured with Aureus. Their daughter, Abbi Berry, is an award-winning jazz and pop vocalist, pianist, guitarist and songwriter and teacher. The Nash-Berry Family Band will add musical interludes throughout the show as well.

“Manecdotes” is a benefit for Burbank’s Family Service Agency, an organization that has provided mental health and counseling services for students, families, couples and veterans for 70 years. 

Suzanne Weerts, a local writer and storyteller, is the producer and director of the show. Weerts has brought two seasons of the national show “Listen to Your Mother,” as well as her own shows “Momnipresent,” “Diversity: Stories of Connection in an Urban Jungle,” “Go There,” “Home” and “Jingle Tales” to The Colony Theatre stage.

As producing artistic director for JAM Creative, Weerts develops storytelling productions as benefits for worthy causes. Since 2016, JAM Creative has raised more than $50,000 for local charities. 

General admission tickets are $25 and make a great Father’s Day gift, Weerts says. They can be purchased at jamcreativestories.com.

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Here are five of our favorite family-friendly Vegas picks this spring:

1. Shark Reef Aquarium: Dive Into Underwater Adventures

The Shark Reef Aquarium at Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino will celebrate its 25th anniversary this summer with special events and activations. For now, visitors can view displays with more than 3,400 creatures from 140 species, including 14 types of sharks within 1.6 million gallons of water and 14 exhibits. Guests also can “dive” into the ocean depths through the immersive Undersea Explorer Virtual Reality theater. For an extra fee, kids (and adults) can feed sharks, sea turtles and stingrays. Tickets: $24 and up.

2. Sphere Experience: Futuristic Fun for the Whole Family

If it’s in your budget, Sphere is worth the splurge. At The Sphere Experience, guests can chat and even crack jokes with the world’s most advanced humanoid robot, Aura, and marvel at a 50-foot holographic wall. Included in the experience is a screening of “Postcard from Earth” from Academy Award-nominated director Darren Aronofsky.

The sci-fi-meets-nature, 4D film features seat haptics with active movement sensations, flashing lights, visual and sound effects and atmospheric simulations of fog, scents and wind. (Pregnant women and those with sensory sensitivities should consider whether it’s for them. Accessible seating is available upon request.).

Word to the wise: Lower seats are best if you tend to get queasy. In addition, Sphere’s spectacular spring lineup of multi-sensory entertainment features immersive concert film V-U2, plus shows by Dead & Company with John Mayer, the Eagles and Kenny Chesney. (Backstreet Boys will take the stage in July.) Tickets: $95 and up, depending on the type of event.

3. Family Pools and Movie Nights

Las Vegas resorts are renowned for their lavish pools, and poolside time is a fun way for families to spend Vegas downtime together. Non-gaming (aka no casino) resort Waldorf Astoria Las Vegas offers a high-class, low-key vibe for its hotel guests, with chaise lounges, cabanas and two pools (one for families, one for adults). Bonus: Parents can indulge in a range of restorative poolside massages while staying within earshot of splashing kids, including chair massage, chaise-lounge massage and traditional table massage in an open-air or private cabana. Try the signature Relaxation Massage, the Cabana Cool Stone Massage or the Lounging Around Focus Massage. 

For extra relaxation or should the temps soar, cooling collagen masks are applied, along with nourishing massage oils and tropical scrubs to create an aroma sensory experience by the resort’s expert therapists (Dear reader: The massage I experienced on a scorching day last July from Alexandra was one of the best of my life). Guests come away refreshed — and with a small gift. “Our pool therapists always add a special touch by giving guests a little wellness takeaway so they can remember their massage experience they had at the pool,” says the resort’s spa director, Michelle Wilkos. Pricing: $200 and up. 

MGM Grand Pool, open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., features 6.5 acres of elaborate water fun, including four swimming pools, three whirlpools, cascading waterfalls and a lazy river (until 5 p.m.). Pool bars serve tropical drinks and poolside fare (and massage) is available. Cost: $50/all-day access per person; additional fees for food/drinks, poolside seating and cabanas. Free entry and seating for MGM Grand guests, depending on availability.

Resorts World’s Family Pool at its mega pool complex features a playful water attraction to cool off younger kids amid giggles. Reopens in May. Free for hotel guests.

To kick off pool season, Fontainebleau Las Vegas is offering Dive Into Bleau rates, with up to a 20% discount on hotel stays and a $50 daily resort credit. The Oasis Cinema Club at Oasis Pool is back every Friday starting May 2, featuring favorite family flicks such as “Barbie,” “Inside Out 2,” “Toy Story,” “Avengers: Endgame” and “The Incredibles” projected on a poolside screen. Enjoy a menu serving tasty takes on concession classics. Admission: $10 for non-hotel guests; free for Fontainebleau Rewards members, hotel guests and kids 5 and under. Daybeds and cabanas available for a fee. Tickets here.

Dive In Movies at The Cosmopolitan’s Boulevard Pool, the Strip’s rooftop poolside (or in-pool) movie night, returns weekly on Mondays beginning May 19, inviting families to enjoy classic and recent blockbusters on the resort’s 65-foot screen, along with stellar views of the spectacular Las Vegas skyline. Premium daybeds and cabanas can be reserved with a food/beverage minimum. Admission: $15 for non-hotel guests, $10 for locals. Free for MGM Rewards members, hotel guests, first responders and military. Tickets here.

4. Beachy Vibes

At Mandalay Bay Beach, an 11-acre aquatic playground on the Strip, families can ride tides in the wave pool, play in the sand, flow along the lazy river under refreshing waterfalls, lounge in a lagoon, chill in a cabana and more. The Beach Bar and Grill offers bites and drinks at three bars. Cost: $30/weekdays; $40/weekends all-day access per person; additional fees for food/drinks, seating and cabanas; free for hotel guests.

5. Top Thrills: High Roller, Zip Line and Iconic Vegas Rides

Thrill-seeking kids and parents who want adrenalin-pumping fun can enjoy breezy aerial views while experiencing the highest amusements in Las Vegas (and even in the world).

High Roller Observation Wheel & Fly LINQ Zipline

The High Roller Observation Wheel is 550 feet high and is the tallest Ferris wheel in North America. The experience features 28 spherical (and, yes, air-conditioned!) cabins for up to 40 guests, with floor-to-ceiling glass windows for 360-degree Las Vegas views Extra fun: At night, the wheel glows, with changing colored lighting synced to hit songs. The full-rotation ride lasts 30 minutes. Tickets: $10 and up, free for kids 3 and under.

Bold ones can soar on the Strip’s only zipline, Fly LINQ. Riders launch from a 12-story tower and fly 1,121 feet from Las Vegas Boulevard, down The LINQ Promenade and finish at the High Roller at up to 35 miles per hour. Tickets: $49 and up; some discounts apply.

The Big Apple Coaster & Arcade

The Big Apple Coaster at New York-New York is the first in the world to include a 180-degree “heartline” twist and dive. The heart-pounding ride speeds up to over 67 mph — with twists, turns and loops, whizzing by Strip views. Catch your breath (or wait out the ride) at The Big Apple Arcade for family-friendly games. Tickets: $25 and up.

The Strat Tower

Four of the world’s highest rides are located in one place at The Strat in Las Vegas. The Tower (at 1,149 feet tall) is the highest observation tower in the U.S. Your bravest family members (at least 4 feet tall) can free fall 855 feet at 40 mph on the SkyJump or catapult 1,081 feet up — and down — on the Big Shot. Riders beware: G forces are real. (The X-Scream dangling teeter-totter is currently down for maintenance.) For a more mellow, but still breathtaking experience, you can enjoy unparalleled views of Las Vegas and beyond at the sky-high indoor and outdoor observation decks, plus food and drinks at the highest dining spot and bar in Vegas. Tickets: $21.95 and up.

Eiffel Tower Viewing Deck

If you’re in Vegas, but your heart’s in Paris (oui, c’est moi!) or you just want to take in an iconic, high-altitude experience with your family, you won’t want to miss out on the Eiffel Tower Viewing Deck at the Paris Las Vegas resort on the Strip. A half-scale replica of the Eiffel Tower landmark in Paris, France, the tower takes guests 46 stories (541 feet) high for 360-degree views. Mirroring the nightly, glittery illuminations of the Eiffel Tower in Paris, the Las Vegas attraction also offers a synchronized twinkling, colored lights event for all visitors to see for free on the Strip. The light show happens every night for 30 minutes from sunset to midnight. Tower tickets: $19 and up; some discounts apply.

There’s so much for families to enjoy in Las Vegas, aka “Disneyland East.” For more family-friendly ideas, including deals, visit Visit Las Vegas for the latest and greatest.

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