Nashville Children’s Theatre (724 2nd Ave. S., 615/254-9103, www.nashvillechildrenstheatre.org) is the oldest children’s theater company in the United States. During the school year, the theater puts on plays for children from preschool to elementary-school age in its colorful theater. In the summer there are drama classes for youngsters.

Teenagers own and operate the Real Life Players, a stalwart theater company that produces original plays written by Nashville teens. Profits are donated to teen-related community organizations. Plays are performed at the Darkhorse Theater at 4610 Charlotte Avenue. Call the theater at 615/297-7113 to find out when the next Real Life performance will be held.

Don’t miss the Marionette Shows at the Nashville Public Library (615 Church St., 615/862-5800). Using marionettes from the collection of former library puppeteer Tom Tichenor, plus others acquired from Chicago’s Peekabo Puppet Productions, the library’s children’s room staff put on excellent one-of-a-kind family entertainment.