Taper’s Youth Theater Gets a New Name

What’s In a Name?: The Mark Taper Forum’s award-winning Improvisational Theatre Project has been re-christened P.L.A.Y. (Performing for Los Angeles Youth). The aim is to reflect the company’s gradual shift, since 1971, from story theater and improv to fully produced, scripted plays relevant to the concerns of L.A. area youth.

During the past 11 years of transition under director Peter C. Brosius, the professional company has commissioned and developed plays that creatively explore freedom of expression, civil rights, cultural differences, the environment and immigration.

The name change, Brosius said, “arcs toward future growth, broadens the scope and talks about the depth of the commitment.”

P.L.A.Y. will continue to tour schools and community centers throughout Los Angeles and Southern California.

Tune Up Your Pipes: Practice your “la-la-la’s” for Kidspace Museum’s “Together We Sing” day on Jan. 26 at 2:30 and 3:30 p.m. All ages are welcome to warble traditional tunes from around the world with the Pasadena museum’s staff, then record a favorite song in Kidspace’s KKID radio station and groove to the playback.

The beat continues that evening at 6 and 7 p.m. with a sing-along celebration of gospel music with gospel singer and Performing Tree artist James Calhoon during “Free Family Night.” Parents, that means you, too.

On Jan. 29, ages 4 and up can dance away the afternoon in “Hip, Hop Culture Bop,” with Lee Jackson from the Pacific Dance Centre, and on Jan. 30, all ages are invited to shake it up in an African drumming family celebration with Ayo, Carole and Luis Adeyemi at 2:30 and 3:30 p.m. Drums and shakers will be provided.

Regular museum admission is $5, seniors are $3.50, children ages 1-2 are $2.50 and infants are free. “Free Family Night” on Jan. 26 from 5 to 8 p.m. is free.

Information: (818) 449-9144.

Tell Me a Story: What to do after school? At the Artspace Gallery in Woodland Hills, children can spend some quality time in a free, monthly storytelling program. Storytellers invite listeners to participate in the tales and get creative in a related arts activity.

Upcoming themes include “Friendships: Matters of the Heart” (Feb. 15), “Folktales: All Things Magical and Mythical” (March 16), “Solstice: A Celebration of the Changing Seasons” (April 6), “Dwellings: The Places We Call Home” (May 25) and “Cityscapes: The L.A. Story” (June 8). Information: (818) 716-2786, (213) 237-1373, (213) 660-4254 TDD.

Quibbles and Bits: Hmmm. Do you realize that if Peter, Paul and Mary’s “Peter, Paul and Mommy, Too” album hadn’t been nominated for a Grammy, there’d be no humans in this year’s best musical album for children category? The rest of the nominees: “Barney’s Favorites, Volume I,” and soundtracks from “The Muppet Christmas Carol,” “Aladdin” and “Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas.”