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Teaching Philosophy

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Teaching Philosophy

Teaching Philosophy

Because play is serious work.

At Little Blue, we believe that theatre is one of the most human things we can do — a place where curiosity, connection, and creativity meet. Our teaching philosophy grows from the idea that every young person deserves spaces where they are seen, supported, and invited to explore the full range of who they are.

We honor each child’s individuality.

No matter their age, lived experience, body, neurotype, race, gender identity, family structure, economic background, housing status, immigration status, or the ways their brain and senses navigate the world — they belong at Little Blue. Our classrooms and rehearsals are built to make room for the fullness of each student, not to fit students into predetermined molds.

The Power of Play

We believe deeply in the transformative nature of play.
Joyful play, connected play, exploratory play — these are building blocks for learning, understanding, and growth. In our classes and productions, play is both the method and the meaning: a rigorous, delightful, collaborative process that teaches resilience, empathy, and imagination.

Process Over Product

We celebrate the journey, not just the outcome.
Theatre at Little Blue is grounded in discovery, reflection, and ensemble. We believe in the concept of “productive struggle”: the idea that challenge, experimentation, and failure are essential and joyful steps toward understanding.
We cannot grow, we cannot learn, we cannot expand our understanding without pushing ourselves beyond our comfort zones. However, at Little Blue, we create safe, creative spaces where this struggle is met with kindness, compassion, and celebration. We uplift practice over perfection — progress over polish. We teach that mistakes are not missteps; they are invitations for reflection and celebration.
In our spaces, no one needs to feel alone. No one is more important than another, we rise and fall together.  Theatre should not be treated as a competition. We believe that theatre has the capability to create community, not drive contention. We are an ensemble, a group of individuals creating a whole – working towards one goal. Ensemble teaches us that every role matters and that leadership is shared. When young people learn this inside a circle of peers and supportive adults, they carry it far beyond the rehearsal room.

The Whole Child

We teach to the child in front of us today.
Our work is developmentally grounded and intentionally flexible. We believe that practices designed for some learners benefit all learners. We center neurodiverse students, disabled students, LGBTQ+ students, and students with varied access needs in both policy and practice. Every class is shaped around predictable structure, visual supports, sensory tools, and multiple ways to participate.
We design our programs so that young people can engage fully on their own terms — through movement, sound, observation, rest, experimentation, and connection.
Our stories do not shy away from truth. We tell stories that challenge, illuminate, and express the difficult emotions and realities young people already know. We believe children deserve art that trusts their intelligence, honors their resilience, and helps them make sense of a complicated world.

Access & Inclusion

Every child deserves high-quality arts experiences.
As an Autistic-led company committed to equity and community care, we continually refine our inclusive practices in partnership with families, educators, and organizations specializing in neuro-affirming and disability-centered work. Our teaching artists complete training in developmental practice, trauma-informed approaches, culturally responsive teaching, and sensory-friendly facilitation.
Across all Little Blue programs, students can expect:
  • Visual schedules and predictable structures
  • Sensory tools and fidgets available as needed
  • Noise-reducing headphones in every learning space
  • A quiet or ‘chill’ area for breaks, regulation, or processing
  • Visual timers and cues
  • Mobility and physical accessibility accommodations
  • Clear verbal and visual expectations
  • Respect for communication differences, processing time, and multiple modes of participation

LGBTQ+ Safety and Affirmation

Where all young people can feel safe and affirmed.
We support all of our students by inquiring and using a student’s chosen names and pronouns, and so we require all registrations to include pronouns of attending students. We do this so that everyone knows who a student is and how they like to be spoken to/about. These pronouns are then displayed on nametags for inclusion and acknowledgment practices in the classroom. This is helpful for our Teaching Artists as well as our students, regardless of their personal identity, because now everyone knows how to refer to them.
Students are welcome to change their name/pronouns should they choose during the class session. These names and pronouns might be different than what they use at home. We protect confidentiality for students who are not “out” in all parts of their lives and use the names and pronouns that were listed on the student’s registration when communicating to grown-ups, but use preferred names and pronouns during class/camp.
Additionally, all staff members’ nametags include pronouns. Most of our Teaching Artists use a salutation and their first name when students are referencing them. Familiar salutations of Mr./Ms./Mrs. are often used, however, we also use non-gendered salutations such as Mx. (pronounced, Mix – eg. Mix Colin), or Tr. (short for Teacher – eg. Teacher Colin).
Students are allowed to use the bathroom that best matches their gender identity. There are also individual bathrooms accessible to all students should they prefer to have an individual bathroom for their usage.

Anti-Racist Practice

Little Blue is committed to anti-racist, anti-oppressive teaching and policies.
We listen to and learn from marginalized communities, and we continually re-examine our choices: what stories we tell, who tells them, how we hold space, and whose voices we uplift. Our educators receive training in anti-racist practice, de-escalation, trauma-informed care, and culturally responsive facilitation.
We practice equity through:
  • Transparent pay and hiring
  • Intentional casting and story selection
  • Providing resources in our curricular supports for teachers and families to interface and continue conversations about racism and anti-racist practices
  • Stating a Land Acknowledgement at the beginning of every production
  • Paying our interns
  • Telling and respecting global stories in our classes and shows
  • Presenting and dramatizing picture books about non-male, non-white, non-binary characters in our creative drama and page-to-stage classes
  • Not accepting funding from companies deeply rooted in racist, anti-human practices (for example we will never accept funding from companies like Core Civic).  
 
 

Financial Accessibility

Quality art should never be reserved for those who can afford it.
 Little Blue is building a model that prioritizes access through transparent pricing, scholarship pathways, and community partnerships that bring programming directly to students. We work with partner schools, organizations, and funders to remove financial and transportation barriers wherever possible.
Our financial assistance practices:
  • All day-long camps will have free Before and After care.
  • We reserve at least 20% of each class for young people receiving scholarship support.
  • Touring shows will have flexible pricing options for MNPS and Title 1 schools – to help ensure access to Little Blue’s programming.
  • All productions will have tickets set aside for families requesting financial assistance.

A "Living" Philosophy

Little Blue is a growing company — curious, reflective, and always learning.
This teaching philosophy is a living document. As our community grows, as our understanding deepens, and as young people continue to show us new ways to see the world, we will evolve. We welcome questions, conversations, and feedback from the families and communities we serve.
Above all, we promise to use our art to build connection—to see, hear, and celebrate the full humanity of every young person and every family we meet.

Questions?

Email info@littlebluetheatre.org

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