2017-2018 BEYOND THE CLASSROOM
We are proud to celebrate the 2017-2018 Season of our Beyond the Classroom program, enhancing curriculum through the arts!
Beyond the Classroom's daytime performance series features outstanding national and local performing arts companies, as well as supplemental study guides, resource materials, and outreach programming that will vividly enrich students’ classroom experiences.
The 2017/2018 Beyond the Classroom Series for Students is made possible by the Brewers Community Foundation, Elmbrook Rotary Club, Bert L. & Patricia S. Steigleder Charitable Trust, and U.S. Bank Foundation.
Tickets now on sale for groups of 10+: $8/person (you will receive three complimentary tickets for every 20 purchased).
Single tickets are $11/person.
To purchase your tickets, please call the Wilson Center Box Office at 262-781-9520.
Please review our policies and procedures before placing your order.
My Father’s Dragon
Enchantment Theatre Company
October 17, 2017 • 10am & Noon
The Harris Theater
Celebrate the 70th anniversary of Ruth Stiles Gannett’s Newbery Award-winning book. When nine-year old Elmer Elevator hears about a dragon named Boris held captive by the ferocious animals of Wild Island, he sets off on a daring rescue. Using puppets, masks, inventive scenic effects, and original music, Enchantment Theatre Company brings to life this tale of courage and compassion.
Recommended for Kindergarten to 5th grades
Running Time: 60 minutes
Subjects: Page to Stage, Literacy, Imagination, Creativity, Social and Emotional Learning
BE A PART OF THE ARTS EDUCATION CONVERSATION!
In cooperation with the Enchantment Theatre Company’s production of My Father’s Dragon, Purdue University is doing a research study about the impact of live theatre on literacy. If you would like your students to be a part of this national research study, please click here for more details.
Please note: The Wilson Center is not able to provide schools with copies of the book My Father's Dragon at this time. Schools would be responsible for obtaining the copies of the book that are needed to complete this research study. If book sponsors become available, the Wilson Center will reach out to schools at that time.
How I Became a Pirate
Dallas Children's Theatre
November 9, 2017 • 10am & Noon
The Harris Theater
Sail off on a swashbuckling musical excursion as young Jeremy Jacobs joins Captain Braid Beard’s band of comical pirates only to learn that home and family are treasures you can’t find on a map. Based on the adventure story by Melinda Long, this fun-filled adaptation from Dallas Children’s Theatre will leave young mateys singing and dancing in the aisles.
Recommended for Kindergarten to 5th grades
Running Time: 60 minutes
Subjects: Page to Stage, Imagination, Literacy, Creativity, Music, Social and Emotional Learning
Guess How Much I Love You & I Love My Little Storybook
Mermaid Theatre Company of Nova Scotia
February 13, 2018 • 10am*
February 14, 2018 • 10am* & Noon
The Harris Theater
A grant from the Greater Milwaukee Foundation Mary L. Nohl Fund helped support Visual Arts Residency for this performance.
Featuring a whimsical menagerie of animals and imaginary creatures, the endearing bedtime stories of Guess How Much I Love You and I Love My Little Storybook come to life on stage. This innovative adaptation from the acclaimed Mermaid Theatre Company introduces young audiences to the delights of colorful imagery and reading.
Recommended for Pre-K to 2nd grades
Running Time: 45 minutes + 10 minute Q&A
Subjects: Page to Stage, Imagination, Literacy, Creativity, Animals, Social and Emotional Learning
Click here to download the Study Guide.
*BOTH 10AM PERFORMANCES ARE SOLD OUT.
Tickets are still available for the Noon performance on Feb 14, and we are offering a family performance on Feb 13 at 6pm that has ticket availability. Please call our Box Office at 262-781-9520 or click here to purchase for the 6pm!
Darius & Twig
Kennedy Center Theater for Young Audiences on Tour
February 20, 2018 • 10am & Noon
The Harris Theater
Teenage best friends Darius and Twig dream of a world beyond their inner city struggles—but with Darius’s mother barely scraping by, pressure from Twig’s uncle, and bullies constantly on their case, can they break away to live their dreams? Based on the award-winning novel by Walter Dean Myers, this Kennedy Center world-premiere commission is a playful and profound story of overcoming obstacles. (Please note: play’s subject matter is intended for older audiences and the play includes choreographed stage violence and prop guns.)
A grant from the Greater Milwaukee Foundation Mary L. Nohl Fund helped support Visual Arts Residency for this performance.
Recommended for 8th to 12th grades
Running Time: 60 minutes
Subjects: Page to Stage, Social and Emotional Learning,
English Literature, Social Justice, Anti-Bullying
Click here to download the Kennedy Center Study Guide.
OVERCOMING OBSTACLES: Darius and Twig Essay/Visual Art Contest
Students and classrooms are invited to participate in our Darius & Twig Art/Essay Contest with prizes generously provided by Adventure Rock! Deadline to submit is March 9. Click here for full details.
My Heart in a Suitcase
ArtsPower
March 19, 2018 • 10am & Noon*
The Harris Theater
Anne Lehmann and her family no longer feel safe in their Berlin home. In order to protect their daughter, Mr. and Mrs. Lehmann may have to say goodbye to her forever. Based on the book by holocaust survivor Ann Lehmann Fox, ArtsPower’s gripping and poignant production about the Kindertransport in 1938 Germany is a tribute to the strength of the human spirit and power of a family’s love.
Recommended for 4th to 8th grades
Running Time: 55 minutes
Subjects: Family Relationships, World History, Literacy, Social and Emotional Learning, Page to Stage
Click here to download the Study Guide.
*The Noon performance is SOLD OUT!
Please call our Box Office at 262-781-9520 to reserve tickets or to be placed on the waiting list.
A Busy Bee: The Story of Bella the Honey Bee
Florentine Opera Company
April 17-19, 2018 • 10am & Noon
Dawes Studio Theater*
Meet Bella! She’s bright, she’s brave, and best of all she’s not afraid to try, try, try to find the job that she does best. Based on the delightful children’s story by SHARP Literacy and local artist Francisco Mora, this operatic world premiere composed by Ruben Piirainen is a collaboration between Florentine Opera Company and SHARP that celebrates the importance of teamwork, respect for others, and never giving up.
Recommended for Kindergarten to 5th grades
Running Time: 40 minutes
Subjects: Page to Stage, Music, Imagination, Literacy, Creativity, Biology
*Our Dawes Studio Theater is an intimate venue, allowing small groups of students an interactive “front seat” to the performance. Students will be seated in rows on the floor, assembly style. If you have any questions about seating for this performance, please call our Education Director at 262-373-5037.