Welcome!

We look forward to providing your students with unique opportunities to experience professional performing arts performances that complement their classroom learning and expand their cultural horizons! Let us help you enrich your school day and plan your perfect educational field trip! Use our online reservation form above, or if you need help, please call us at 270.450.4444

Our Class Acts Education Series offers professional theater performances and experiences that complement and reinforce core curriculum connections while entertaining and delighting students in Preschool through 12th grade. Performances are offered during the school day. Lunch can be arranged inside or on our lawn, weather permitting. Workshops and masterclasses to complete your learning experience may also be available. Let us help shape your perfect field trip! Please email us at boxoffice@thecarsoncenter.org

NOTE - Homeschools groups and community fewer than twenty persons WILL NOT receive an invoice for their order. Please call us to secure your seats with payment at 270-450-4444 NO LATER THAN 3 weeks before the performance.

Reservations

Make reservations for any Class Acts Education Series performances:

Make Reservations

The 2024-2025 Class Acts Season

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THE MAGIC SCHOOL BUS - SOLD OUT!

Friday, October 25, 2024 - 10:00 AM
Recommended for Grades K-5
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.

Curriculum Connections: Science, Music, Social Studies, Language and Communication

 

MAGIC SCHOOL BUS STUDY GUIDE

 

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FRINDLE
Thursday, November 7, 2024 - Two Performances - 9:30 AM and 11:30 AM
Recommended for Grades 3-7
Nicholas Allen has plenty of ideas. When he ends up in Mrs. Granger's language arts class, he has the best idea ever. He decides to make his own word... FRINDLE! Before long, Nick's word creates a buzz in his school and his town, and then, to his surprise, it is spread 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 novel by Andrew Clements, this quirky, imaginative tale about creative thought and the power of words will have your young audience inventing their own words.

Curriculum Connections: Language Arts, Literature, Vocabulary, Spelling, Creative Writing

Frindle Study Guide

 

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GOODNIGHT MOON & THE RUNAWAY BUNNY
Wednesday, November 13, 2024 - 10:00 AM
Recommended for Grades Pre-K-3
Goodnight Moon is a celebration of familiar nighttime rituals, while The Runaway Bunny’s pretend tale of leaving home evokes reassuring responses from his loving mum. Both feature endearing rabbit characters, and the soothing rhythms of bunny banter and dream-like imagery never fail to infuse young readers with a reassuring sense of security. Mermaid Theater’s staged adaptation brings a new appreciation to stories that have delighted several generations.

HERE'S AN IDEA: Make your field trip to Goodnight Moon a pajama day, and contact us about providing your students cookies and milk after the show.

Curriculum Connections: Visual Art, Literature

Goodnight Moon & The Runaway Bunny Study Guide

 

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GRAND SHANGHAI CIRCUS - SOLD OUT!!!   join the waitlist here!
Wednesday, January 22, 2025 - 10:00 AM
Recommended for Grades 1-5
Grand Shanghai Acrobats deliver an all-new, higher level of entertainment with authentic costumes, dance, music, and scenery. The show honors the essence of the old, historic Shanghai Culture through the dynamic artists’ dazzling performances, which include breathtaking acrobatics, colorful dance, comedy, mystifying magic, and numerous aerial feats of strength. The Shanghai Acrobats will deliver a higher level of entertainment by combining stage LED technological innovations with exceptional artistic performances.

Curriculum Connections: Culture, Dance, Visual Arts, Communication Skills

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CREOLE4KIDZ AND THE HISTORY OF ZYDECO - SOLD OUT!     join the waitlist here!
Tuesday, February 25, 2025 - 10:00 AM
Recommended for Grades K-8
The Zydeco Experience is centered on the history and evolution of this unique American roots genre. Zydeco is the traditional indigenous music of black and mixed-race, French-speaking Creoles of south Louisiana. Simien not only entertains but also helps to raise the cultural IQ of his youth, students, and family audiences. He has led the charge of educating student audiences about Creole culture and Zydeco music.  Come celebrate Black History Month and Mardi Gras with us and laissez les bons temps rouler!

Curriculum Connections: Music, Social Studies, Language Arts, World Culture

Creole4Kidz Study Guide

 

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ROMEO AND JULIET
Two Performances: Thursday, February 27 or Friday, February 28, 2025 - 10:00 AM
Recommended for Grades 6-12
Join Atlanta Shakespeare Company’s artists as they bring their 22nd Anniversary tour of Shakespeare’s works across the country. This small cast adaptation of William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet condenses Bard's famous tale of star-crossed lovers into sixty minutes of romance, poetry, humor, swordplay, and tragedy, all while keeping the plot intact. This touring show features a cast of six actors playing multiple roles in a fast-paced, high-energy performance.

Curriculum Connections: Theatre, Poetry, Drama Literature, Communication

 

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THE REMEMBER BALLOONS
Tuesday, March 11, 2025 - 10:00 AM
Recommended for Grades K-4
The Remember Balloons is a heartwarming intergenerational tale that embraces the beauty of sharing memories while delicately addressing memory loss. James’s Grandpa treasures his balloons, each representing cherished memories—his wedding day with Grandma and a fishing trip with James. When the balloons begin to drift away, James is devastated until he discovers he can share them one by one.
 
Curriculum Connections:
Intergenerational Relationships, Social Awareness, Visual Arts, Shared Stories
 

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DON'T LET THE PIGEON DRIVE THE BUS! THE MUSICAL!  - SOLD OUT!!!    join the waitlist here!
Wednesday, March 26,  2025 - 10:00 AM
Recommended for Grades Pre-K-2
Whatever you do, don’t let the Pigeon star in his own musical production! It’s not easy being the Pigeon—you never get to do ANYTHING! But when the Bus Driver has a crisis that threatens to make her passengers (gasp!) late, maybe that wily bird CAN do something. Starring an innovative mix of actors, puppets, songs, and feathers, Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! (The Musical) is sure to get everyone’s wings flapping.

Curriculum Connections: Language Arts, Music, Literature

 

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BLACK VIOLIN
Friday, May 2, 2025 - 11:00 AM
Recommended for Grades 3-12
Join us to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Black Violin, the duo that has captivated global audiences by harmoniously merging classical melodies with hip-hop rhythms. Witness the evolution of Kev Marcus and Wil Baptiste from humble beginnings to widespread acclaim, accompanied by Nat Stokes on drums, DJ SPS on turntables, and Liston Gregory on keys. Their performance promises to inspire you, energize you, and uplift you as they blend classical strings with hip-hop beats, defying expectations and redefining genres.

Curriculum Connections: Music, Culture, Communication

 

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DOG MAN THE MUSICAL  - SOLD OUT!!!    join the waitlist here!
Wednesday, May 7, 2025 - 10:00 AM
Recommended for Grades 1-5
Based on the worldwide bestselling hit series by Dav Pilkey, Dog Man: The Musical is a hilarious and heartwarming production following the chronicles of Dog Man, who, with the head of a dog and the body of a policeman, loves to fight crime and chew on the furniture. But while trying his best to be a good boy, can he save the city from Flippy, the cyborg fish, and his army of Beasty Buildings? Can he catch Petey, the world’s most evil cat, who has cloned himself to exact revenge on the doggy do-gooder? And will George and Harold finish their show before lunchtime?? Find out in this epic musical adventure featuring the hilarity and heart of beloved characters from Dav Pilkey, the creator of Captain Underpants.

Curriculum Connections: Music, Language Arts, Creative Writing