Introducing My Daughter to Theater through the BAK MSOA Foundation: A Palm Beach Mom’s Budget-Friendly Performing Arts Adventure
I have been craving new ways to introduce my daughter to the arts. Not just the paint-smudged, craft-table kind, but the kind that fills a room with story, music, and possibility. The kind that lights up your heart from the inside out.
But let’s be honest. Everything is expensive right now. Groceries. After-school activities. The cost of simply leaving the house. My discretionary income is s t r e t c h e d.
Still, the desire remained. I wanted Ava to experience theater. She already loves the creative world. She’s had training in dance (ballet, jazz and tap), she’s taken piano lessons, and we practically live at our local art studio for children. Theater just naturally felt like the next chapter of exposure.
One evening while scrolling Instagram, I found myself on the BAK MSOA Foundation page. When I saw they were showing Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella, I clicked the link in their bio with no hesitation. The ticket prices were amazing. I was able to purchase tickets for both myself and my daughter for under $30! I also appreciated that there were multiple showings across three different days.
When we walked into the theater, Ava’s eyes were wide before the lights even dimmed. The kids were incredible. The level of talent from the students at BAK Middle School of the Arts was unreal. Their voices. Their energy. Their confidence. Every bit of it reminded me how powerful art can be when it is nurtured early and I was transported back to my days of being a “Drama Club Nerd” throughout middle school and high school.
I remembered staying after school for rehearsals, painting sets on Saturdays, and organizing costumes with my friends. Theater shaped so much of who I am and getting to share that part of myself with my daughter felt like a full-circle moment. It felt like such a gift. Not only as a mother, but as a woman who believes deeply in the importance of creativity.
Creative experiences should not be a luxury item. They are grounding. They are inspiring. They help kids see the world with softer eyes and bigger imagination. And for moms like us, women who want to live beautifully and intentionally without running up a bill, affordable events like this feel like a blessing.
Upcoming Shows at the BAK MSOA Foundation
If you are a Palm Beach County parent looking for affordable cultural experiences, the BAK MSOA Foundation is truly a gem. They have several upcoming shows that deserve full audiences:
A Christmas Carol: December 4th, 2025 at 6:30 PM
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child: April 15th, 2026 through April 18th, 2026
Godspell: April 24th, 2026 through April 25th, 2026
Follow @bakmsoafoundation on Instagram so you can keep up with show announcements and tickets. And if you attend one of their performances, tell them Shalanda from The Blogger Next Dior sent you.
This little outing reminded me that joy does not have to be expensive. Sometimes it is sitting right in your community, waiting for you to walk through the theater doors with your child’s hand in yours.
Love your life. Live your style.
