Reservations & Info: (270) 443-9932, ext. 213
classacts@thecarsoncenter.org

The Class Acts season typically runs September through May.  We are currently in the process of finalizing an exciting lineup for the 2009-2010 season.  Please check back soon for more 09-10 performance information!

2009-10 CLASS ACTS SERIES:

Nightfall with Edgar Allan Poe SHOW DATE: Friday, October 23, 2009 9:30 am & 11:30 am Ticket Price: $5.00 Grades 6 - 12 Run Time: 60 minutes Edgar Allan Poe stands alone in the flickering darkness, trying desperately to convince himself that he's not mad. Three brilliant tales spring from his troubled mind, tales that Poe himself considered among his best: The Raven, The Fall of the House of Usher, and The Tell-Tale Heart. Adapted by award-winning playwright Eric Coble, Nightfall With Edgar Allan Poe captures both the poetry and the spine-chilling terror of Poe's originals. Eckerd Theater Company thrills with a haunting and highly theatrical staging of the work of one of America's greatest authors and a true master of the macabre. A Note for Teachers: Curriculum Connections: Language Arts-Literature, Poetry, and Theater Arts Show Dates: Friday October 23, 2009 Frindle SHOW DATE: Wednesday, October 28, 2009 9:30 am & 11:30 am Ticket Price: $5.00 Grades 3 - 6 Run Time: 60 minutes Nicholas Allen has plenty of ideas. When he ends up in Mrs. Granger's language arts class, he has his best idea ever. He decides to create his own word...FRINDLE! Before long, Nick's word creates a buzz in his school, his town and then to his surprise, it spreads all around the country, and a power struggle erupts with the strict Mrs. Granger. Will the word "Frindle" win? Based on the multiple award-winning best-selling novel by Andrew Clements, this quirky, imaginative tale about creative thought and the power of words will have young audiences inventing their own words. Griffin Theatre Company, is pleased to bring Frindle to the stage during their 20th anniversary year. A Note for Teachers: Curriculum Connections: Language Arts- Literature, Creative Writing, Vocabulary Show Dates: Wednesday October 28, 2009 To Kill A Mockingbird SHOW DATE: Thursday, November 5, 2009 10:00 am ONLY Ticket Price: $10.00 Grades 6 - 12 Run Time: 60 minutes Harper Lee's 1960 Pulitzer Prize-winning novel is unquestionably an American classic. Both heartwarming and chilling, this story of prejudice, racism, courage and human value is familiar to many as an Academy Award-winning film. Brought to life onstage by the exemplary Montana Repertory Theater, it gains additional depth, to create for audiences an unforgettable artistic and human experience. To Kill a Mockingbird, now celebrating the fiftieth anniversary of its publication, has been adapted for the stage by Christopher Sergel. This matinee performance will feature the famous and compelling trial scene. A full-length production will be offered to the Public at 7:00 p.m. Both performances are sure to evoke emotion, compassion, and plenty of discussion! A perfect way to culminate and celebrate the reading of a great classic! A Note for Teachers: Curriculum Connections: Language Arts-Literature, Social Studies/History Show Dates: Thursday November 05, 2009 Strega Nona SHOW DATE: Friday, November 20, 2009 9:30 am & 11:30 am Ticket Price: $5.00 Grades P - 4 Run Time: 60 minutes Based on the award-winning children's book series by Tomie dePaola, Strega Nona is the musical tale of a friendly magical witch--with a funny name--who strives to cure the ills of her tiny Italian town. The town faces real problems when a local lug named Big Anthony sneaks a peek at Strega Nona's magic book and uses Strega Nona's magical ways for selfish means. Strega Nona steps in to save the day--and the town! Watch as Big Anthony learns valuable lessons about paying attention and keeping promises. A Note for Teachers: Language Arts-Reading, Literature. Visual Arts-Drawing, Sculpture, Special Effects, Creativity. Uses Storytelling and Fiction Writing with a focus on role-playing, imagination, and problem solving. Performing Arts-Theater, Music, Movement Show Dates: Friday November 20, 2009 Much Ado About Nothing SHOW DATE: Tuesday, December 1, 2009 10:00 am ONLY Ticket Price: $5.00 Grades 7 - 12 Run Time: 60 minutes America's longest running classical touring company, National Players, returns to the Carson Center to present another one of Shakespeare's best loved comedies! Much Ado About Nothing takes us into the deep South during the age of Dixieland Jazz. This sparkling comedy highlights the dancing wit of the "merry war" between males and females and the endearing spectacle of intellectual self-importance outdone by the desire to love and be loved in return A Note for Teachers: Curriculum Connections: Language Arts-Classic Literature, Theatre Arts Show Dates: Tuesday December 01, 2009 A Christmas Carol SHOW DATE: Tuesday, December 8, 2009 10:00 am ONLY Ticket Price: $10.00 All Ages Run Time: 120 minutes (full-length performance) Join the renowned Nebraska Theatre Caravan for Charles Dickens' legendary story of A Christmas Carol. Watch as Ebenezer Scrooge is transported through time by the Christmas spirits in a search to discover his true self and, in turn, learn the true meaning of Christmas. A large cast, sumptuous scenery, and special effects make this production a must-see holiday treat! A Note for Teachers: Curriculum Connections: Language Arts- Classic Literature, Character Education, Theater Arts Show Dates: Tuesday December 08, 2009 Math Maniac SHOW DATE: Friday, January 15, 2010 9:30 am & 11:30 am Ticket Price: $5.00 Grades 1 - 5 Run Time: 60 minutes Watch Max Millions, THE MATH MANIAC, take learning to a new level at the Carson Center. The moment Max leaps onstage, students know they are on a fun-filled journey to being successful in mathematics! Max Millions makes math easy to learn and fun to think about! And because the content of this program is 100% supportive of core curriculum in math, whether students are reviewing the material, previewing the material or learning the material for the first time, not one minute is wasted, not one learning opportunity is lost! A Note for Teachers: Curriculum Connections: This program will help students in grades K-6 hone their skills in: measurement, probability, place value, patterns, percentages, fractions, money, and more! Show Dates: Friday January 15, 2010 Peking Acrobats SHOW DATE: Thursday, February 11, 2010 9:30 am & 11:30 am Ticket Price: $5.00 All Ages Run Time: 60 minutes Since their debut in 1986, THE PEKING ACROBATS® have redefined audience perceptions of Chinese acrobatics. They perform daring maneuvers atop a precarious pagoda of chairs; they are experts at treacherous wire-walking, trick-cycling, precision tumbling, somersaulting, and gymnastics. They defy gravity with amazing displays of contortion, flexibility, and control. They push the envelope of human possibility with astonishing juggling dexterity and incredible balancing feats, showcasing tremendous skill and ability. They are masters of agility and grace. Often accompanied by live musicians skillfully playing traditional Chinese instruments and high-tech special effects that coalesce with the music and awe-inspiring feats to create an exuberant entertainment event featuring all the excitement and festive pageantry of a Chinese Carnival! A Note for Teachers: Curriculum Connections: World Culture, Music, Art Show Dates: Thursday February 11, 2010 Terrance Simien presents: Creole for KIDZ SHOW DATE: Tuesday, February 16, 2010 9:30 am & 11:30 am Ticket Price: $5.00 All Ages Run Time: 60 minutes A multicultural arts-in-education performance, Creole for KIDZ is centered around the indigenous ZYDECO music of the French speaking Creoles of south Louisiana. Creole for KIDZ was created by Terrance Simien, a grammy award-winning zydeco master who recorded with Paul Simon on his Graceland album and who has performed for audiences all over the world. Join Terrance as he lights up the stage with humor and musical talent and learn about the important historical, cultural, and linguistic contributions of the Creole people. This lively, fast-paced, engaging performance is a perfect treat for MARDI GRAS! A Note for Teachers: Curriculum Connections: History, Instrumental Music, Foreign Language, World Culture Show Dates: Tuesday February 16, 2010 A Year with Frog and Toad: The Musical SHOW DATE: Wednesday, February 24, 2010 9:30 am & 11:30 am Ticket Price: $5.00 Grades P - 3 Run Time: 60 minutes Arnold Lobel's beloved characters hop from the page to the stage in the musical A Year With Frog and Toad brought to the Carson Center by Worklight Productions. Developed by Mr. Lobel's daughter, Adrianne Lobel, the stage musical remains true to the spirit of the original stories as it follows two great friends, the cheerful and popular Frog and the rather grumpy Toad through four fun-filled seasons. Waking from hibernation in the spring, they proceed to plant gardens, swim, rake leaves and go sledding, learning life lessons along the way, including a most important one about friendship and rejoicing in the attributes that make each of us different and special. A hit on Broadway, A Year With Frog and Toad was nominated for three Tony® Awards including Best Musical. A Note for Teachers: Curriculum Connections: Language Arts-Literature, Science-Nature, Music, Character Education Show Dates: Wednesday February 24, 2010 Most Valuable Player SHOW DATE: Tuesday, March 2, 2010 9:30 am & 11:30 am Ticket Price: $5.00 Grades 4 - 12 Run Time: 60 minutes The triumphant story of Jackie Robinson, the first African American to play professional major league baseball, tell of the struggles of integration and celebrates Robinson's courage, intelligence and leadership. Dallas Children's Theater once again brings an inspiring and superior production to our stage. A Note for Teachers: Curriculum Connections: History, Social Studies, Character Education Show Dates: Tuesday March 02, 2010 CSI Live! SHOW DATE: Thursday, March 18, 2010 9:30 am & 11:30 am Ticket Price: $5.00 Grades 4 - 8 Run Time: 60 minutes BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND!! Mad Science Productions does it again! This is an exciting interactive journey through the fascinating world of crime scene investigations. Based on the popular television series, CSI: Live ! incorporates cutting-edge forensic science, unparalleled audience interaction and amazing visual effects into a fast-paced, mind-blowing show that will educate it's audience like no other production! With the help of the latest crime-fighting technology and an entire audience of witnesses, our CSI investigators take on the task of solving a baffling crime. Audience members get to become part of the CSI team and together recreate the crime scene and analyze results. The audience will have to be on their toes to help solve the crime before it's too late! A Note for Teachers: Curriculum Connections: Critical Thinking, Physical science, Earth science, Technology, History Show Dates: Thursday March 18, 2010 The Kennedy Center presents: Nobody's Perfect SHOW DATE: Thursday, March 25, 2010 9:30 am & 11:30 am Ticket Price: $5.00 Grades 2 - 5 Run Time: 60 minutes Its not easy being a fourth grader, but Megan is handling it well despite being the only deaf student in her class. After spending a year planning her "positively purple" birthday party, she finds herself at odds with new student Alexis. To Megan, Alexis has it all: beauty, brains, and athletics-she's practically perfect in every way. Though Megan tries to be nice to her, Alexis is anything but friendly, making Megan wonder, "Does she not like me because I'm deaf?" When they're forced to collaborate on a science project, Megan discovers Alexiss secret. Based on the children's book by Academy Award® winner Marlee Matlin (Best Actress, Children of a Lesser God) and Doug Cooney, this touching new musical-performed simultaneously in spoken English and American Sign Language-is an important reminder that despite first impressions, nobody's perfect. A Note for Teachers: Curriculum Connections: Language Arts-Literature, Music, Character Education, Sign Language Special Note: "Nobody's Perfect" was a joint world premiere with VSA arts, which is an international nonprofit organization founded in 1974 by Ambassador Jean Kennedy Smith to create a society where people with disabilities learn through, participate in, and enjoy the arts. VSA arts provides educators, parents, and artists with resources and the tools to support arts programming in schools and communities. VSA arts showcases the accomplishments of artists with disabilities and promotes increased access to the arts for people with disabilities. Each year millions of people participate in VSA arts programs through a nationwide network of affiliates and in 55 countries around the world. VSA arts is an affiliate of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. For more information visit www.vsarts.org. Show Dates: Thursday March 25, 2010 Little Engine That Could SHOW DATE: Thursday, April 1, 2010 9:30 am & 11:30 am Ticket Price: $5.00 Grades P - 3 Run Time: 60 minutes Powered by the famous phrase "I think I can" - and with help from the audience - the Little Engine overcomes impossible odds to carry a train full of toys over an imposing mountain. Perhaps the greatest tale of motivation ever told, this, this page-to-stage adaptation of Watty Piper's beloved storybook features songs, dance, and dazzling costumes. The Little Engine That Could is an entertaining and inspirational favorite that offers a valuable lesson for children and adults alike about the power of optimism. Omaha Theater Company brings this classic to life and gives audiences a fun-filled opportunity to witness the power of positive thinking. A Note for Teachers: Curriculum Connections: Language Arts, Social Studies, Music, Character Education There will be (2) Drama Education Workshops at 1;00 p.m.: I LOVE TRAINS: Led by an experienced actor/instructor from the Omaha Theater Company for Young People, this interactive workshop uses creative drama activities to explore classic picture/story books about trains such as THE LITTLE ENGINE THAT COULD and THOMAS THE TANK ENGINE. The workshop will start with creative drama activities exploring the basic acting tools (body, voice, and imagination). The class will use acting to explore different characters and situations from the books. Suggested Grade Levels: Pre K (starting at age 4) through 2nd grade. MEET THE ACTOR IN YOU WORKSHOP Led by an experienced actor/instructor from the Omaha Theater Company for Young People, this workshop focuses on communication, creativity, problem-solving, and how to be an actor. This hands-on workshop will introduce students to the basic acting tools of the body, voice, and imagination. The students will then use their acting tools to act out stories and characters as they explore being an actor. Suggested Grade Levels: 1st through 6th. Show Dates: Thursday April 01, 2010