Children's theater series offers free open rehearsal, storytimes

"Word of mouth has been kind to us, and we know we're connecting with kids, because they all hang around after the show to say hello to the actors - something we had not originally planned, but now is our practice," Matthew Hager, Aggregate's artistic director and founder, tells me.

Shows take place at the Church on Morgan in downtown Raleigh on select dates at 11 a.m., Wednesday through Friday, and 11 a.m and 1 p.m., Saturday. Tickets are $10 for kids, $12 for adults, $40 for a family four-pack.

Here are the details about Aggregate's remaining two shows, which require tickets:

A fully-improvised show! Aggregate's actors will create a brand new fairytale right before your eyes, based on audience suggestions. Each performance will be completely new and different.

Giselle is half-gazelle, half-elephant, and 100% rockstar. But on her first day at Thomas Girafferson Elementary, the other kids aren't exactly her biggest fans. Hear Giselle and the rest of the students of Thomas Girafferson Elementary rock it out in this funny and heart-felt musical about making friends and being kind to all.

And here are the details on the free preview events coming up:

Hear the cast sing a song and improvise a brand new fairytale based of off audience suggestions.

Because the kids have enjoyed talking with the cast so much after shows, Hager tells me he wanted to open up a rehearsal to the public. Families are invited to drop by anytime between 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. to meet and talk with the cast of Gazellephant and hang around to watch them rehearse songs and scenes from the show.

Hear the cast sing songs and perform a scene from the rockin' musical Giselle la Trent the Gazellephant