Amcor Student Discovery Series

ArtsPower
Wednesday, November 04, 2020
9:30 a.m. & 12:30 p.m. 
Grades: PreK-3rd
Curriculum Connections: Family Relationships, Language/Communication Skills, Literature-Based, Musical, Values-Based

Harry has everything a little white dog with black spots could want. There’s just one problem: he hates taking baths. He hates them so much, in fact, that one morning he runs away. After a wonderful day spent playing in the dirt, Harry gets so grubby that he turns into a little black dog with white spots… and returns home to find that his family doesn’t recognize him!

ArtsPower’s funny and fast-paced musical, based on the classic book by Gene Zion with illustrations by Margaret Bloy Graham, captures both the whimsical humor and touching dedication to family found in Harry’s story.

TheaterWorks
Friday, November 20, 2020
9:30 a.m. & 12:30 p.m. 
Grades: PreK-4th
Curriculum Connections: Communication, Language Arts, Music, Relationships and family, Conflict Resolution

"Cows that type? Hens on strike! Whoever heard of such a thing!" Farmer Brown cries.

When his granddaughter Jenny comes for a visit, Farmer Brown declares the farm a tech-free zone. He takes her laptop in the cold barn with the shivering cows who use her computer to type messages requesting blankets.

"No way," replies Farmer Brown. "No blankets!"

So the cows go on strike and the chickens join them in solidarity. No blankets? No milk! No eggs!

Will Farmer Brown give in to the animals' demands? Will Jenny get her computer back? Find out in a hilariously moving musical about negotiation and compromise, based on the Caldecott Honor Book by Doreen Cronin and Betsy Lewin.

Geodesic Management
Wednesday, February 17, 2021
9:30 a.m. & 12:30 p.m. 
Grades: 5th-8th
Curriculum Connections: Social Media, Testing, Bulling, Peer Pressure

Comedian Robert Post barely survived Middle School. Struggling because of various learning disabilities, he found that making people laugh saved him. In this brand new multimedia performance, kids talk to kids in a compelling, funny and educational show. Dealing with real issues affecting students today including social media, testing, bullying and peer pressure these video testimonials by kids and their advocates (along with a generous dose of Post’s signature humor) is sure to resonate with school and public audiences alike. In this way, “How to Survive Middle School” opens up a crucial conversation. And that’s an enormous step, because too often students bottle up their worries and emotions. The follow-up lesson plans and activities keep the conversation going. As a result, students who might feel helpless amid the pressures in their lives instead realize that they can grasp and deal with those issues, and that they can turn to their teachers for support. The program gives teachers a powerful tool to promote social-emotional learning.

TheaterWorks
Friday, February 19, 2021
9:30 a.m. & 12:30 p.m.
Grades: PreK-2nd
Curriculum Connections: Communication, Language Arts, Music, Aquatic Animals, Teamwork

Turn the poutiest of frowns upside down in this new musical featuring whimsical puppets and live performers in a sweeping oceanic adventure. When Mr. Fish sets out on a quest to find Miss Clam’s missing pearl, he discovers there is more to him than his permanently plastered pout.

This colorful adaptation of The New York Times bestseller is co-conceived, directed, and designed by the acclaimed puppeteers of AchesonWalsh Studios, whose work was featured in Broadway's The King And I, On the Town, and Radio City's New York Spectacular. Writing team includes New Victory LabWorks Residency recipients Christopher Anselmo, Jared Corak, Matt Acheson, and Fergus Walsh.

Virginia Repertory Theatre
Tuesday, February 23, 2021
9:30 a.m. & 12:30 p.m. 
Grades: K-5th
Curriculum Connections: Biography, Science, Language Arts, History, Public Speaking, Reading, Self-Esteem, Character Development 

Take an “enlightening” journey into the experiment that changed the course of history! Over 250 years ago, (in June of 1752, to be precise), Ben Franklin “shocked” the world with his discovery that lightning held electricity - and thus rendered scientists “thunderstruck”! This entertaining and educational play brings the history and science curriculum to life. 

Holden & Arts Associates/Tall Stories
Thursday, March 11, 2021
9:30 a.m. & 12:30 p.m. 
Grades: PreK-3rd
Curriculum Connections: Language Arts, Problem Solving, Science, Fine Arts, Emotional/Social Development

A play with music inspired by the book by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler

Longing to see the world, the tiny sea snail hitches a lift on the tail of a great, grey-blue humpback whale. Together they go on an amazing journey, told through live cello music and singing, storytelling and lots of laughs ... but when the whale gets beached, how will the snail save him?

Join an adventurous young girl and her sea-faring father as they re-imagine the story of a tiny snail’s incredible trip around the world, inspired by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s much-loved picture book.

​With great STEAM and SEL connections, the performance vividly brings to life the story of “The Snail and the Whale”, which won the 2004 Early Years award for the best pre-school book, the 2005 Blue Peter award for Best Book to Read Aloud, and the 2007 Giverny award for Best Science Picture Book.

This play with music is a heart-warming adventure for everyone aged four and up from Tall Stories, the Olivier Award-nominated company that brought you ‘The Gruffalo’ and ‘Room on the Broom’ live on stage.

Virginia Repertory Theatre
Friday, March 19, 2021
9:30 a.m. & 12:30 p.m. 
Grades: K-5th
Curriculum Connections: Art, Family Ties, Reading, Language Arts, Literary Classic, Music, Self-Esteem, Character Development

Join us in the timeless classic The Story of Ferdinand. Ferdinand grew up around the other young bulls who aspired to be the fiercest bulls, and would “run and jump and butt their heads together, but not Ferdinand.” Ferdinand would rather sit under his favorite tree smelling the flowers than fight — a lesson for the ages. With the help of his mother, who believed in him, and the little bee who nearly changed his life, Ferdinand keeps true to who he is, and who he always wanted to be. This musical will inspire young audiences to read and always follow their dreams.

Virginia Repertory Theatre
Tuesday, April 06, 2021
9:30 a.m. & 12:30 pm. 
Grades: K-5th
Curriculum Connections: Art, Folk Tales, Language Arts, Literary Classic, Music, Puppets, Reading, Character Development 

When Peter, a hungry sailor, has no luck getting a free meal from the stingy citizens of a tiny village, he decides to turn the table. He invites the villagers to enjoy his famous delicious Stone Soup whose recipe is known only to seafarers and legendary adventurers. He promises to provide the main ingredient if the villagers provide all the other ingredients. Join Peter and his trusty parrot, Admiral, as they teach the villagers a lesson in friendship and sharing in this heartwarming musical retelling of the classic folktale.