ARTS EDUCATION & OUTREACH SCHOOL MATINEES - 2011-2012

At the Performance Center, we strive to inspire creativity and share the joy that comes from interactive arts experiences with primary school children from throughout the area. Teachers will find links to curriculum in our programs, while students experience their favorite storybooks come to life, explore a world culture or delve into the creative processes of an artistic discipline. We also build on the artistic strengths expressed in the area by offering opportunities to learn from Page Series guest artists in master classes, workshops and lecture/demonstrations.

Events are available on a first-come, first-served basis to groups of 10 or more whose students are of Kindergarten age or older but must be reserved in advance through the Box Office Manager. All seats cost $2 per person (students and chaperones) and payment is due upon arrival. No one will ever be turned away due to an inability to pay, and though schools do not need to pay for students absent the day of the performance we ask that you honor your reserved number to help insure the continued viability of our programming. Schools are asked to limit chaperones to one adult per 10 students when possible. Groups should plan to arrive between 20 and 30 minutes prior to the performance. Most events last 50 to 60 minutes, and offer study guides with pre- and post-performance activities and discussion topics.

To make a reservation, contact the Performance Center Box Office Manager, Tove Wiggs, by email: twiggs@smumn.edu put SCHOOL MATINEE in the subject line, in the body of the message include the following information:

The following information is needed to make a reservation:

• Name of School
• Contact name, phone number, and email address
• Number of students expected to attend
• Grade level or age range of students (whichever is applicable)
• Number of expected chaperones.
• Any needed accessibility services
  

You will be contacted by email to confirm your school’s participation.
For more information about bringing your school or class to a matinee, e-mail the Performance Center Box Office Manager, Tove Wiggs, at twiggs@smumn.edu.

Download your copy of the current season Arts Education Activities brochure (PDF).

Terrance Simien and the Zydeco Experience
FRIDAY • SEPT. 16, 2011 • 10:00AM
Grammy winner from Louisiana

The Creole for Kidz & The History of Zydeco program is centered on the indigenous zydeco music of the French speaking Creoles of south Louisiana and is accompanied by a 6 page study guide used to help prepare students in advance for the performance.

Terrance Simien, 8th generation Louisiana Creole, has been playing his indigenous Creole Zydeco music for 2 decades. His music has been heard around the world. In 2009, Disney Pictures released “The Princess & The Frog”, features the music of Simien, Terence Blanchard and Dr. John.

Recommended for Grades K -12
Website
Study Guide(PDF)

Griffin Theatre
Letters Home
TUESDAY • NOV. 1, 2011 • 10:00AM
Present day soldiers and families connect

Letters Home puts the current war in Iraq front and center by bringing to life actual letters written by soldiers serving in the Middle East. The production is inspired by the New York Times Op-Ed Article, The Things They Wrote and the subsequent HBO documentary, Last Letters Home and additionally uses letters and correspondences from Frank Schaeffer’s books, Voices From the Front, Letters Home From America’s Military Family, Faith of Our Sons, and Keeping Faith. The play without politicizing gives audiences a powerful portrait of the soldier experience in the ongoing war.
Please note there is a short post-production question & answer session. Overall, schools should plan for 90 minutes.

Recommended for Grades 9-12
Website
Study Guide (PDF)

Theatreworks USA
Duck For President and Other Stories
WEDNESDAY • FEB. 29, 2012 • 10:00am or 12:30pm

Limited seating available for both shows

6 stories for the silly season
All-new musical revue featuring mini-musicals based on best-selling children’s books including: Duck For President, Fancy Nancy, Pirates Don’t Change Diapers, Babymouse: The Musical, Leonardo the Terrible Monster, and I Have To Go!
Since 1961, Theatreworks USA has enlightened, entertained, and instructed over 68 million people in 49 states and Canada, now performing for about four million people annually. They were at the Page last year with The Witch, The Lion, and The Wardrobe.

Recommended for Grades K-4
Website
Study Guide (PDF)

Pushcart Players
Peter and the Wolf
Tuesday • APRIL 17, 2012 • 10:00am
Classic tale brought to the stage

Limited seating available

Peter and the Wolf is an adaptation of the traditional Russian folktale set to music by Sergei Prokofiev. While providing a charming introduction to the world of music and musical instruments, this enchanting tale is all about the adventure of growing up. Danger becomes reality and creative innovation becomes essential as young Peter meets the challenge of survival in the outside world.

Pushcart is now in its’ 38th season of producing theatre and arts-in-education programming for young viewers. Recent credits include highly successful performance tours of the former Soviet Union and the Czech Republic, several performances at The White House, and both public and peer recognition through numerous awards for outstanding work in children’s theatre.

Recommended for Grades K-6
Website
Study Guide (PDF)

Dance Repertory Company: Le Corsaire
THURSDAY • APRIL 26, 2012 • 10:00AM
Exciting dance by area dancers.

The ballet Le Corsaire, loosely based on a poem by Lord Byron, follows Medora, a beautiful slave girl, and Conrad, a dashing pirate, as they journey through a tapestry of captive maidens, rich sultans, swashbuckling abductions, and dramatic rescues—all culminating in a happy ending. Originally choreographed by Marius Petipa to music by Adolfe Adam, Le Corsaire continues to delight audiences more than 150 years after its premiere.

Recommended for Grades 3 and above
Website

Arts Educational opportunities are supported in part by generous donations from the Elizabeth Callender King Foundation, Winona Community Foundation, Target, and Xcel Energy Foundation. Support for Griffin Theatre's Letters Home provided by the Winona Foundation.