The City of Kannapolis Parks and Recreation Department was recently recognized by the North Carolina Recreation and Parks Association (NCRPA) with the 2025 Arts and Humanities Award honoring the City’s innovative Children’s Theatre Series at the historic Swanee Theatre. The award recognizes outstanding programs in cities with populations between 25,000 and 75,000.

Recognizing the gap in youth-focused programming in the City, Kannapolis Parks and Recreation staff introduced The Children’s Theatre Series, a live theatre experience designed for children and families. At just $7 per person, the series featured four interactive performances with character meet-and-greets at the historic Swanee Theatre. The interactive performances included an invite from the performers to the children in attendance to come up on the stage and participate in the performances. This interaction between the performers and the children encouraged building skills such as creativity, problem-solving, and decision-making.

The program during the Summer of 2025 attracted nearly 1,000 attendees. The award committee cited the series for delivering a high-quality, affordable, and transformative cultural experience that inspired confidence, joy, and creativity. Building on this momentum, the City plans to grow the series in 2026 with additional summer theatrical performances, a Christmas production, and seasonal specials.

To learn more about upcoming performances and programs at the Swanee Theatre, visit www.swaneetheatre.com. For additional City of Kannapolis programs and offerings, visit www.kannapolisnc.gov/parks.