NORTH The Musical

NORTH The Musical

THURSDAY, MAY 2, 2024 @ 10:00 AM AND 12:30 PM STUDENT MATINEES

NORTH, a new musical by Ashli St. Armant, follows the journey of a precocious teenage boy named Lawrence and his young mother, Minnie, as they escape the Deep South and travel North through the Underground Railroad, to seek their freedom. NORTH is based on actual accounts of slave escapes through the Underground Railroad network. While acknowledging the realities of slavery, the book and original jazz compositions by Ms. St. Armant brings out the full experience of freedom-seekers: optimism, bravery, playfulness, wonder, suspense and mystery.

NORTH Study Guide

 

A VERY ELECTRIC CHRISTMAS

Lightwire A Very Electric Christmas

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2019 AT 6:00 P.M. – Public Show Benefitting Main Stage Education Program

MONDAY, DECEMBER 9, 2019 – Student Shows

10:00 A.M.  IS SOLD OUT

12:30 P.M.

Follow the story of a young bird, named Max and his family, as they begin their journey south for the winter.  When Max gets blown off course and ends up at the North Pole…his adventure begins!  Dancing toy soldiers, caroling worms and performing poinsettias, light up the stage in Lightwire Theater’s A VERY ELECTRIC CHRISTMAS.  Combining the arts of puppetry, theatre and dance, this magical and captivating tale of family, friendship and hope is set to timeless holiday hits, including Nat King Cole, Mariah Carey and Tchaikovsky.  Lightwire Theatre is internationally recognized for their electroluminescent artistry, poignant story telling and performs in complete darkness.  Brighten your holidays this season with A VERY ELECTRIC CHRISTMAS.

CLICK HERE FOR STUDY GUIDE

 

THE DIARY OF ANNE FRANK

The Diary of Anne Frank

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2020 AT

9:00 A.M.  – SOLD OUT

12:00 P.M.

In 1941 Amsterdam, 13-year-old ANNE FRANK goes into hiding with her family from the Nazis.  For the next two years, she never leaves the attic where her family is concealed.  With fear of discovery ever present, Anne finds solace writing in her diary, capturing the daily lives of the secret annex’s inhabitants – from the horrors of war to the excitement of first love – with wit, determination, and idealism.  With a multicultural cast, National Players brings the true story of this incredibly insightful young girl to a new generation.  For even in tragedy, we can find light in the greatest darkness.  This is a 90 minute show.

CLICK HERE FOR STUDY GUIDE

Additionally, a traveling exhibit, “ANNE FRANK:  A HISTORY FOR TODAY”, will be available for viewing in the lobby during this event for students. This exhibit presents the history of the Holocaust through the perspective of ANNE FRANK and her family with the use of story panels and photographs.  

Exhibit public viewing hours:

February 10, 11, 14, 17, 18 and 21 – 10:00 am – 4:00 pm

February 12, 13, 19, 20 – 10:00 am – 7:00 pm

February 16 – 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm 

 

SPONSORED BY

Arkansas Community Foundation

 

CATAPULT

Catapult Dancing Shadows

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2020 AT

10:00 A.M. AND 12:30 P.M.

An American’s Got Talent finalist from Season 8, CATAPULT is a magical production that features incredible dancers who work behind a screen to create shadow silhouettes of shapes from the world around us.  Be amazed as you watch their bodies transform into a mountain, an elephant, a dragon, even a helicopter!  You’ll never figure out how they do it, and you won’t know what they will create next – you’ll be surprised and delighted again and again.  Packed with hundreds of shape transformation, the show is full of humor, emotion and engaging stories.

CLICK HERE FOR STUDY GUIDE

THE MAGIC SCHOOL BUS

The Magic School Bus

FRIDAY, MARCH 13, 2020

10:00 A.M.   SOLD OUT

12:30 P.M.  SOLD OUT

When the class gets lost on the way to the planetarium, Ms. Frizzle saves the day by blasting into outer space for an epic interplanetary field trip!  But when rivalries both old and new threaten to tear the students apart, our young heroes must learn to pull together or risk getting forever lost in the solar system.  Hop on the MAGIC SCHOOL BUS for a ride in this new musical adaptation based on the original book series published by Scholastic.

CLICK HERE FOR STUDY GUIDE

 

 

Diary of a Worm, a Spider, & a Fly

Diary of a Worm, a Spider, & a Fly

October 30, 2018
10:00 a.m. (SOLD OUT)
and 12:30 p.m.

School performance reservations accepted beginning August 7

Bugs and insects rule in the diary of unlikely best friends Worm, Spider and Fly. Worm eats his homework, Fly believes she has superpowers and Spider canʼt wait to grow up and molt. Promoting eco-consciousness, earth science and tolerance of others, DIARY OF A WORM, A SPIDER AND A FLY is a joyful, hip exploration of the world outside. The opening number, a rap entitled “A Lot Like You,” immediately connects our lives with the little creatures from our own backyards. You might just find that a bugʼs life is not all that different from your own!

Commissioned by Oregon Childrenʼs Theatre and debuting in 2011, DIARY OF A WORM, A SPIDER AND A FLY is a delightful stage adaptation by Joan Cushing. Cushing unites three popular books by Doreen Cronin and Harry Bliss: “Diary of a Worm,” “Diary of a Spider,” and “Diary of a Fly.” All three present smart, compelling scientific information along with the everyday activities, hopes and dreams of amiable insect characters. With the addition of Bee, Ant and Butterfly, Cushing combines the best of the Arthropods with rap, hip-hop, ballads and boogie-woogie in a hot musical that will have audiences wiggling in their seats to the beat.

Click for Study Guide

 

The Science of Magic with Bill Blagg

The Science of Magic with Bill Blagg

SCHOOL PERFORMANCES (Reservations accepted August 7)

November 12, 2018
10:00 a.m. (SOLD OUT) and 12:30 p.m.

For centuries magicians have used scientific principles to make people levitate in mid-air and vanish in the blink of an eye. Illusionist Bill Blagg’s one-of-a-kind educational experience, The Science of Magic, takes students on a rare, never-before-seen journey “behind the scenes” of the magic world. Students will discover firsthand how magicians use science to create the impossible!

Bill’s comedy-filled, action-packed, presentation is highly interactive and makes science fun and exciting! Students will use the Scientific Method to levitate one of their teachers in mid-air and even learn how the science of reflection can make their homework magically disappear! In addition, Bill even performs some of his mind-blowing, grand-scale illusions with a scientific twist! Bill caps the show off with an incredible display of the water cycle by making it snow from his bare hands! Students will watch in amazement as science creates magic right before their very eyes!

The Science of Magic is designed to excite, educate, intrigue and promote students to think “outside the box” and spawn their curiosity about how science and the Scientific Method are used by magicians to create the impossible! To learn more about Bill Blagg visit www.billblagg.com

Click for Study Guide

Junie B. Jones Jingle Bells Batman Smells

Junie B. Jones Jingle Bells Batman Smells

It’s holiday time and everyone’s favorite first grader is back to celebrate! All of the students in Room One are happily creating the perfect holiday party. Except how is Junie B. supposed to enjoy anything when she has drawn the name of her arch nemesis, Tattletale May, for her Secret Santa Gift? But wait — the Secret Santa gift is the perfect opportunity to give May exactly what she deserves…Maybe.  Holiday fun with a lesson about giving is a perfect treat for the holiday season!

Produced by Wally Jones & Casa Mañana Theatre
A Play by Allison Gregory
Adapted from the book series by Barbara Park

 

PUBLIC PERFORMANCE 

Tuesday, December 18, 2018
6:00 p.m.

  BUY TICKETS HERE FOR PUBLIC PERFORMANCE - $5 CHILDREN, $10 ADULTS

 

Cupcakes and Christmas CHAOS with Junie B.

Join Junie B. for Cupcakes and Chirstmas CHAOS immediately following the public performance at 7:00 p.m. on December 18th.  Tickets are $25, and all proceeds go to support the Main Stage Education Series.  You can enjoy cupcakes, activities, and get your photo with Junie B!  (Each attendee must have a ticket, and there must be at least one adult in each party).  Event will be held in Brewer-Hegeman Conference Center.

TICKETS ARE LIMITED and on sale now.

  BUY TICKETS HERE FOR CUPCAKES AND CHRISTMAS CHAOS - $25.00

 

SCHOOL PERFORMANCES 

Wednesday, December 19, 2018
10:00 a.m. (SOLD OUT)

12:30 p.m. 

  CLICK HERE FOR SCHOOL PERFORMANCE REGISTRATION FORM Click for Study Guide

Freedom Bound

Mad River Theater Works Freedom Bound

SCHOOL PERFORMANCES 

January 28, 2019
10:00 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.

There is a story connected with the Underground Railroad in countless communities throughout the North. Old houses have secret tunnels leading into the woods, attics with hidden stairways. The “railroad” was a network of friends who helped slaves escape to freedom in the North and on to Canada before the Civil War. This turbulent period of history is the subject of Freedom Bound, a one-act play with music by Mad River Theater Works. Freedom Bound revolves around the most famous incident in the history of the Underground Railroad in Ohio: the story of Addison White, an escaped slave, and his rescue by the citizens of the town of Mechanicsburg, Ohio. Freedom Bound brings history to life through original songs and an array of characters that pop right out of the past to relive the turbulence and hope of the UndergroundRailroad right before your eyes.

Click here for Study Guide

Pete the Cat

Pete the Cat

SCHOOL PERFORMANCES (Reservations accepted August 7)

Friday, March 15, 2019
10:00 a.m. (SOLD OUT) and 12:30 p.m.

PUBLIC PERFORMANCE (Tickets on sale August 6)

Friday, March 15, 2019
6:00 p.m.

This groovy blue cat is on his way to stay with a new family and he’s excited, but Jimmy Biddle is nervous about how their houseguest is going to shake things up. When Jimmy draws a blank in art class on the last day of school, it turns out Pete is the perfect friend to help him out. Join Jimmy and Pete on a new adventure of friendship and inspiration!

Book and Lyrics by Sarah Hammond
Music by Will Aronson
Based on the popular book series by Kimberly and James Dean

Click for Study Guide

Erth’s Prehistoric Aquarium Adventure

Erth's Prehistoric Aquarium Adventure

PUBLIC PERFORMANCE 

Sunday, April 28, 2019 at 6:00 pm  

TICKETS – $10 adult/$5 children

SCHOOL PERFORMANCES 

Monday, April 29, 2019
10:00 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. 

The creators of Erth’s Dinosaur Zoo Live want to take your family on an all new adventure – this time to the bottom of the ocean. Erth’s Prehistoric Aquarium Adventure is an immersive experience that invites you to jump in and explore unknown ocean depths where prehistoric marine reptiles lived eons ago – and maybe live still today! Erth shows are at the forefront of family entertainment, using actors, technology, puppets, science and imagination to create an amazing visual experience that connects young audiences to the real science of paleontology.   www.prehistoricaquarium.com

erth’s Study Guide