Announcement for 2022-2023 Stages of Discovery: live shows starting Fall 2023!
WELCOME BACK! We are thrilled to announce The Grand's 2022-2023 season of Stages of Discovery where academics and arts collaborate to provide creative learning opportunities for students.
Stages of Discovery presents multiple opportunities for learning from preschool through 8th grade. Each of our school matinees has been carefully selected to complement curriculum standards. As you plan for the school year, please join us in utilizing the ARTS to help teach literature, history, science, character building, and more. Live theatre helps students grasp and retain the information they may not understand in other terms. In short, learning comes to life on stage! Other opportunities to assist you and your students:
- Show-specific Study Guides include lessons and activities for use in the classroom
- Classroom Visits help your students prepare for their trip to the theater
- DiAE Teaching Artist Residencies allow students to explore subject matter and have a deeper, more personal connection with the art form
- Valuable Transportation Scholarships make it all more affordable!
Read on for more details. Please contact The Grand's Education Office at (302) 658-7897, ext. 3201 or Discovery@grandopera.org with any questions.
School Teachers: CLICK HERE to reserve your seats today.
It's Okay to Be Different - Stories by Todd Parr
Mermaid Theater of Nova Scotia
Friday, October 21
The Playhouse on Rodney Square
Grades PK-2
Curriculum Connections: Early Literacy, Social Emotional Development, Multiculturalism, Character Growth
Three contemporary stories by best-selling author and illustrator Todd Parr explore important and timely subjects with his signature blend of playfulness and sensitivity. It’s Okay to Be Different delivers the important messages of acceptance, understanding, and self-confidence The Earth Book is a sweet homage to our beautiful planet; and This Is My Hair encourages you to always feel good about yourself.
2022-2023 Stages of Discovery Reservation Form
The Wright Stuff - First in Flight
Virginia Repertory Theater
Tuesday, November 1
The baby grand Theater
Grades 3-8
Curriculum Connections: Science of Aviation, Vocabulary, Aeronautics, Innovation; History, Biography, Family and Relationships, Social Emotional Learning: Perseverance
Join Virginia Repertory Theatre for this fun-filled story of great American innovators who helped make aeronautics and air travel what it is today. This is an inspirational story of determination as the Wright brothers never lost their heart nor their resolution, even through years of frustrating failure. Let this theatrical performance make you feel as if you were there in Kitty Hawk, North Carolina along with the Wright brothers in December of 1903 as the world took flight for the very first time!
2022-2023 Stages of Discovery Reservation Form
Holiday Tales - A Season of Miracles
Pushcart Players
Tuesday, December 13
The Playhouse on Rodney Square
Grades K-6
Curriculum Connections: Multi-culturalism, Communication and Language Arts, Folklore, Literature Based, Relationships and Family, Character Growth
Tales within this heart-warming musical include holiday stories from different cultures: O. Henry’s The Gift of the Magi; an original tale set in Nigeria entitled The Kwanzaa Kite; a fanciful tale from The Wise Folk of Chelm – The Chanukah Miracle; and E.T.A Hoffmann’s The Nutcracker.
With the timeless tone of each classic piece, this magical presentation is designed to warm the hearts and perhaps change the perspective of young audiences as they think about the true meaning and spirit of the holiday season.
2022-2023 Stages of Discovery Reservation Form
Jabari Dreams of Freedom
By award-winning playwright Nambi E. Kelley
Tuesday, January 24
The Playhouse on Rodney Square
Grades 3-6
Curriculum Connections: Fine Arts: Performance, Technology, Multi-Media Design, Music; African American History, Civil Rights; Social Emotional Learning
Young Jabari isn’t trying to dream big. He’s just trying to live free. Through his art and his dreams, Jabari escapes to where Ruby Bridges, Claudette Colvin and other young heroes of the Civil Rights Movement teach him what it means to be fearless. When he meets an impressionable six-year-old Barack Obama, will Jabari have the courage to share the lessons he learned from the past to help ensure the future? Through rap, freedom songs, hip-hop dance and humor, Jabari Dreams of Freedom empowers young audiences to be brave and stand up. Let’s lift every voice and sing!
2022-2023 Stages of Discovery Reservation Form
Acoustic Rooster's Barnyard Boogie
The Kennedy Center Theater for Young Audiences on Tour.
Wednesday, February 8
Copeland Hall
Grades PK-3
Curriculum Connections: Early Literature Based, Music Concepts and Styles, Relationships and Family, Multi-cultural, Communication and Language Arts, Civic Responsibility
New York Times best-selling author Kwame Alexander brings two of his beloved children’s books – Acoustic Rooster and Indigo Blume – to the stage in a world premiere Kennedy Center commission. With special guests like Duck Ellington and Ms. Dairy Parton, this musical adaptation tells a story about being scared, being brave, and believing in yourself.
Dive into a book to keep the fun going: Kwame’s NEW picture book of the same name is based on our musical!
Please note: This performance contains haze effects.
2022-2023 Stages of Discovery Reservation Form
Warriors Don't Cry
TheaterWorks USA
Tuesday, February 21
Copeland Hall
Grades 6-12
Curriculum Connections: Communication and Language Arts, Music, Technology, Social Studies.
Themes: Empowered Youth, Civil Discourse, Social Justice, Activism, Social Media, Freedom
After hearing Ya Girl – a high school student with over 1 million followers on Instagram – struggle to make sense of today’s tumultuous world, Melba Pattillo steps out of history to share the story of her battle to integrate Little Rock Central High School in 1957. Ya Girl learns to see herself in Melba, and in all the young warriors who came before her who raised their hands and made a difference.
Inspired by Dr. Melba Pattillo Beals' Little Rock Nine memoir, Warriors Don't Cry, this production is a catalyst for deeper discussion about social responsibility, civil discourse, social media, and community engagement.
2022-2023 Stages of Discovery Reservation Form
Pete the Cat's Big Hollywood Adventure
TheaterWorksUSA
Friday, March 3
The Playhouse on Rodney Square
Grades PK-3
Curriculum Connections:
Communication and Language Arts, Music, Literature-Based, Relationships and Family.
Themes: Cinema, Friendship, Exploration, Teamwork, Creativity, Adventure
Lights! Camera! Action! When Pete the Cat and his buddy Callie sneak into the Hollywood Studios, they get lost in the world of the movies. Join Pete, Callie, Ethel the Apatosaurus, and Robo-Pete in this rockin' new musical adventure that features several fun-filled Pete the Cat books including Cavecat Pete, Pete the Cat and the Treasure Map, and The Cool Cat Boogie.
2022-2023 Stages of Discovery Reservation Form
Junie B.'s Essential Survival Guide To School
TheaterWorksUSA
Wednesday, March 22
The Playhouse on Rodney Square
Grades K-4
Curriculum Connections: Communication and Language Arts, Music, Literature-Based.
Themes: School, Friendship, Family, Kindness, Creativity
Now that Junie B. Jones has been going to school for over one-and-a-half years, who better to write the book on EVERYTHING you need to know? From bus rules and Band-Aids to carpools to cookies, Junie B. and friends deliver the definitive word on surviving and thriving in style. With a jillion tips, tricks, and trip-ups, Junie B. shares her hard-won expertise and shows us all how school is sometimes scary, sometimes super-fun, and ALWAYS something to sing about!
2022-2023 Stages of Discovery Reservation Form
The Pout-Pout Fish
TheaterWorksUSA
Thursday, April 20
The Playhouse on Rodney Square
Grades PK-2
Curriculum Connections: Communication and Language Arts, Music, Aquatic Creatures.
Themes: Confidence, Adventure, Friendship, 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.
2022-2023 Stages of Discovery Reservation Form
The Magic School Bus - Lost in the Solar System
TheaterWorksUSA
Wednesday, May 10
Copeland Hall
Grades K-5
Curriculum Connections: Communication and Language Arts, Music, Science, Social Studies.
Themes: School, Family, Forgiveness, Teamwork, Science, Space
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.
TICKETS are $8 per person. Groups get one ticket free with every 15 reserved. Discounts for Title I schools are subject to availability and must be verifiable by the Department of Education.
No deposit is necessary for school groups; invoices will be provided. The final payment for schools is due two weeks prior to the performance. Full payment is required for families or small groups (less than 10) at the time of reservation.
Reservations are required for all performances. You may estimate the number of tickets needed with your initial reservation. Please include all students, teachers, and chaperones. Final counts (and payments) are due two weeks before performance dates (additional seats subject to availability). No adjustments may be made after this deadline.
CANCELLATION POLICY: Cancellations must be received in writing at least 30 days before the performance date, and payments will be refunded. Cancellations made within 15-30 days of the performance will be charged a cancellation fee (50% of the total invoice) and/or receive a partial refund. Cancellations made within 14 days of the performance must pay the full invoice amount; refunds will not be issued.
To get started: 1) download the reservation form, 2) complete and save the form on your computer or network, then 3) e-mail it as an attachment to Discovery@grandopera.org. If you have any questions or special needs, please put them in the body of your e-mail.
FAMILY TICKETS are available for purchase online or through The Grand’s Box Office. Please call (302) 652-5577 or come to The Grand at 818 N. Market Street, Wilmington, DE 19801.
SHOW TIMES are 9:30 AM and 12:00 PM. Performances will begin as close to these times as possible. Large groups should make every effort to arrive within the half-hour prior to show times to allow ample time for seating. The running time for all shows is approximately one hour. Please allow extra time for dismissal; street access is limited and groups will be called as their buses are ready for departure.
NO LUNCHES: As we reopen, The Grand will not be able to accommodate requests for indoor lunch spaces during our 2022-2023 season. Groups may utilize Rodney Square, a public park, across the street from The Playhouse (weather permitting).
Please email Discovery@grandopera.org for more details.
CLASSROOM VISITS help prepare your students for their field trip. Programs may be tailored to suit your educational goals. The material covered will include a custom lesson plan related to the content of the show, theatre etiquette, and the history of The Grand or The Playhouse. The first classroom visit is just $25; discounts are offered for each additional class, with a maximum of 30 students per class. A travel fee may apply. Please contact Allyson Sands, our Education Manager, at (302) 658-7897 x3201 or send an email.
STUDY GUIDES specific to each show include lessons and activities for use in the classroom before and after your visit. Please see study guides available for download along the right sidebar of this page.
TEACHING ARTIST (TA) RESIDENCIES: by Delaware Institute for the Arts in Education (DiAE) are available for selected shows:
- Jabari Dreams of Freedom
- Warriors Don’t Cry
Trained TAs will design a series of workshops that allow students to explore subject matter and have a deeper, more personal connection with the art form. DiAE service fees will apply. Please email DiAE's Artistic Director, Ashley SK Davis.
TRANSPORTATION SCHOLARSHIPS are available for schools that demonstrate financial need. Applications may be downloaded here, and are accepted throughout the year. Awards are distributed on a first-come, first-served basis, as long as funds are available.
CONTACT
FOR RESERVATIONS and QUESTIONS:
Allyson Sands, Education Manager
discovery@grandopera.org
302-658-7897 x3201
Direct: 302-657-5684
DOWNLOADS
2022-2023 Stages of Discovery Reservation Form
2022-2023 Stages of Discovery Field Trip Guidelines
Transportation Scholarship Application
STUDY GUIDES
Acoustic Rooster's Barnyard Boogie
The Magic School Bus Solar System
