With words, humor, and extreme hip-hop energy, the Mayhem Poets raise poetry to a playful and powerful new level. Witty and wise, they boldly engage the audience with the issues that rock our world—from Dr. Seuss to school to fast food. Their clever, eclectic riffs are as much Mad Magazine and The Simpsons as Langston Hughes and Maya Angelou. Home-grown in New Jersey but rapidly gaining international recognition, these beat-boxing bards keep the rapid-fire rhythms flying in a clever concert of words that will inspire students with the power of poetic/theatrical expression.

Curriculum connections: language arts, social studies, theater arts

The 10am performance is SOLD OUT.

When Sylvester, an endearing young donkey, picks up a shiny red pebble, he discovers that its magic works very well—sometimes! This heartwarming story teaches a gentle lesson about the true importance of family and friends. William Steig’s Caldecott-winning children’s book is brought to the stage by Enchantment Theatre Company, the creative team behind last season’s acclaimed production of Harold and the Purple Crayon. Their brand-new staging of Sylvester and the Magic Pebble seamlessly integrates a wide variety of theatrical techniques: projections, animation, masks, puppets, magic, dance, and music.

Curriculum connections: language arts, theater arts, life skills

Women of Will is a wide-ranging, thoughtful, and fascinating exploration of Shakespeare's heroines. Written and performed by Shakespeare & Company's Founding Artistic Director, Tina Packer, the show presents scenes, monologues, and lively analysis to illuminate the evolution of the playwright's female characters—from the shrewish Katherine to the innocent victim Juliet to the worldly-wise Miranda. Using just a few simple props and costume pieces, Packer and her co-star, Nigel Gore, inhabit some dozen different personas and engage the audience in a lively discussion of the ideas presented in the show. It is strongly recommended that students attending the performance have studied at least one of Shakespeare's plays.

Curriculum connections: theatre arts, language arts, history, social science

The New Shanghai Acrobats carry on the 2,000-year-old tradition of Chinese circus arts. The astounding acrobats, jugglers, bicyclists, and contortionists are showcased by show-stopping choreography, dazzling lighting, vibrant costumes, and evocative music.



Sponsored by

Curriculum connections: world cultures, dance, physical education, music, theater arts

Following last year’s sold-out Midsummer Night’s Dream, BAMA Theatre Company is back with their brand-new production of Hamlet. Shakespeare's tragic tale of family discord, personal ambition, love, and revenge comes to life in a deeply compelling production that makes the story and language clear and comprehensible to students. The company’s creative approach captures the magic of live theater, with just nine actors deftly portraying more than a dozen characters, using just a few simple props and costume pieces. The program includes a question-and-answer period immediately after the performance.

Curriculum connections: theater arts, language arts

Since the early 80's the dancer-illusionists of MOMIX have transformed themselves into sidewinders and Gila monsters, floated weightlessly through extraterrestrial terrains, strapped themselves into snow skis, and hurled themselves through the air like baseballs. In MOMIX: reMIX, this world-renowned ensemble presents a ‘greatest hits’ collection of the company’s work: a kaleidoscopic showcase of invention without borders.



Sponsored by

Curriculum connections: dance, physical education, music, science, theater arts

The Princeton Symphony Orchestra introduces young children to the orchestra through music inspired by beloved animal characters. In Prokofiev’s perennial favorite, Peter and The Wolf, individual instruments get to shine as they imitate Bird, Duck, Cat, Wolf, and the other characters in the story. The musical narrative is accompanied by a fully-staged, vaudeville-inspired one-man performance. The concert includes an additional animal-inspired musical tale, as well as a demonstration of the individual instruments and their families.

Underwritten by:

Curriculum connections: music, theater arts

When two tiny rabbits are frightened by an apple falling from above, the anticipation of it happening again and again leads them to duck, dive, and do their best to stop the terrible Plop! The show explores the fear of unknown things that maybe aren't so scary after all. Featuring rhyme, music, puppetry, and a playful set design, this magical production from Australia's Windmill Theatre provides very young children with an intimate and non-threatening first theatrical experience.

Curriculum connections: theater arts, language arts, life skills, science, music