Fun Freetime - Forts! Creator Interview

 TC will be producing Forts! Build Your Own Adventure (February 13-April 5, 2026) on the Cargill Stage. 

 

Forts is an interactive experience! Pull back the curtains and there you are—surrounded by old sofas, crazy lampshades, piles of blankets, and towering towers of cardboard boxes! It’s like the coolest attic you’ve ever seen, where everything’s up for grabs. Use whatever you want to build…whatever you want—the tallest fort, the longest fort, tons of cozy little forts… Quick, someone hands you a flashlight—what will you do? In Forts! you make it all happen. 

I had a chance to interview Julie Ritchey, creator of Forts!

Photo by Emma Holland

Where did you get the inspiration behind Forts! ?

The idea for Forts! came primarily from kids themselves. Dramatic play is such a core part of how kids explore and express themselves - think about all the amazing stories and characters that are being created by kids every day in basements and living rooms around the world! I wondered what it would be like if a team of amazing theatre designers could design play (the verb) rather than a play (the noun). And then Forts! was born!

Why is it so important for families to encourage open-ended play?

Open-ended play is so important for young people. There is so much learning and experimentation that comes when we just let young people be and explore their world. It’s a reprieve from the stresses of daily life and the increasing pressures that children face, while allowing a safe space to build connection and resilience. And it’s joyful! Joy is such a healing force in our lives, and it’s so important to find opportunities to connect with it.

How do spontaneous group creative experiences benefit people of all ages?

This amazing thing happens time and time again at performances of Forts. Families will come in and start to build and play as a unit, in their own little space and world. Then, as the performance progresses, people start to explore each other’s creations, share resources, help each other problem-solve. Kids start to play with each other and the stories grow and evolve. It’s such a beautiful miniature version of the ways we connect and build community, and it’s just as valuable for the adults as it is for the kids – if not more so.

Originally produced by Filament Theatre at 4041 N. Milwaukee, Chicago, IL under Founding Artistic Director Julie Ritchey and Founding Managing Director Christian Libonati. www.filamenttheatre.org

WHEN: February 13-April 5, 2026

WHERE: CTC’s Cargill Stage (2400 Third Avenue South Minneapolis MN 55404)

AGE RECOMMENDATION: This experience is best enjoyed by all ages.

RUNNING TIME: 60 minutes with no intermission.

TICKETS: $30 and available at childrenstheatre.org/forts or by calling the Ticket Office at 612.874.0400.