EMU Theatre for the Young Tour

05/20/2026

Now Booking Fall 2026! [email protected]

05/20/2026

From paper puppets to lit-up bubbles, Eastern Michigan University Theatre presents "The Snowy Day and Other Stories by Ezra Keats," a family-friendly show that showcases experimental theater and creative prop pieces.

Olivia Allen, a part-time lecturer at EMU in the communications, media and theater arts department and the director of EMU's performance of "The Snowy Day," expressed the impact that the books had on young readers when they were first released. While the play feels more like a slice of life to modern audiences, the books that they are adapted from acted as an early form of diversity and representation, being some of the first picture books to feature a young Black protagonist.

"You're watching him [Peter] experience these childhood wonders, joys and growing up for the first time. To us as a modern audience, I don't know that there is necessarily a moral. We're watching him go through things like being angry at a friend and having to resolve a conflict, or real experiences like the magic of seeing snow for the first time ... I think it offers, especially in the '60s and now ... this representation and this diversity, and continuing on the tradition of diversity representation in children's theater," Allen said.

While the show is geared more toward younger, elementary-aged audiences, there is still plenty for older attendees to enjoy about the production, Allen said.

For this show, EMU Theatre's crew built more than 100 puppets out of black card stock and laminated them to ensure they would remain intact on the road. Each character in the show, including Peter, is depicted in both human form and puppet form. Throughout the show, the form the characters take switches to reflect their mindset.

Click the link for more information:
https://www.easternecho.com/article/2026/04/emu-theatre-presents-family-friendly-puppet-show-with-the-snowy-day-and-other-stories-by-ezra-keats

Writer: Gray Connor
Photo: Courtesy of EMU Theatre

05/20/2026

04/25/2026

04/25/2026

The Company of Snowy Day and Other Stories by Ezra Jack Keats with our Production Sponsor (and tour/ADTY/EMU alumni) Brian Steimel. ✨

04/25/2026

04/13/2026

Thank you for having us, Canton Public Library!

Students from EMU Theatre for the Young performed "The Snowy Day & Other Stories" for families.

12/01/2025

EMU Theatre for the Young Tour!

12/01/2025

Public performances of June on the Moon are at EMU this Friday and Saturday only! Join us!

Saturday’s 2pm ASL Shadow Interpretation supported by EMU Women in Philanthropy. Thank you! ✨

https://www.emich.edu/cmta/productions/current-season/25-26-season-show-pages/june-on-the-moon.php

11/23/2025