Once Upon A Castle: Storytime & Puppet Theatre

Event Overview

Louisiana’s Old State Capitol is thrilled to launch ​"Once Upon A Castle: Storytime & Puppet Theatre!"

This is a brand-new, completely free monthly program created just for toddlers, young children, and their caregivers. If you are looking for high-quality, budget-friendly summer programming, this is your perfect Friday morning destination!

What to Expect

Each month, the adventure begins with interactive storybooks that spark big imaginations. Then, get ready for the main event: a showstopping puppet theatre production written, built, and performed entirely by the creative museum staff!

This month, our recurring star and official mascot, Grits the Opossum, will guide families through a lively puppet show inspired by ​"Mama Opossum's Misadventures" by Gina Gallois. In our production, Mama Roux falls out of a tree and loses her five baby joeys (Biscuit, Cheddar, Maple, Pepper, and Beignet). She needs our help to find them all before daylight!

Children will follow her journey through the bayou, encountering local neighbors like a buzzing honeybee, a baby armadillo, a sneaky snake, and a tiny rabbit. They will be on the edge of their seats helping save baby Beignet just in time before a large barred owl scoops him up for breakfast!

Connecting Play to Real-World Learning

Our inaugural June event ties directly into the museum’s newest traveling exhibits: ​"Excursions, Expeditions, and ​'Discoveries:' A Young Nation Expands" and ​"Reimagining America: The Maps of Lewis and Clark." By introducing concepts of cartography, nature, and epic journeys through puppets and play, your child will build a baseline of understanding.

Afterward, you can confidently explore our stunning galleries together, turning historic exhibits into an accessible, interactive playground for your little ones!

Dress Up and Join the Magic!

To make the experience truly unforgettable, children are highly encouraged to come dressed in their favorite castle-themed garb!