The 2024-25 School Outreach program offers an expanded repertoire of children’s theatre and musical productions, featuring more shows, greater diversity, and broader age-range appeal. Each performance delves into educational, social, and cultural themes in a fun and entertaining way, supported by study guides to foster classroom discussion. We all know how important the arts are to a child’s education. A federally funded report during the Obama administration underscored the profound impact of theatre on children, revealing its role in nurturing empathy, language proficiency, and communication skills which in turn helps narrow the socio-economic achievement gap and bolster school attendance. The Emelin Theatre’s subsidized School Outreach Program has welcomed thousands of children from diverse socio-economic and cultural backgrounds since its inception in 1997.
SONIA DE LOS SANTOS AND THE OKEE DOKEE BROTHERS present
SOMOS AMIGOS: Songs on Common Ground
Monday, September 30, 2024 @ 9:30AM & 11:15AM
A joyful collaboration between Mexican songstress, Sonia De Los Santos, and the Americana folk duo, The Okee Dokee Brothers, this bilingual program spans the musical traditions of North America and illustrates the collective power of singing together and learning from each other. With an adventurous spirit and a common vision of peace and understanding, Somos Amigos encourages us all to explore, dance, sing and laugh together, hand-in-hand.
Esta alegre colaboración musical nace de la amistad entre la cantante mexicana, Sonia De Los Santos, y el dúo de folk estadounidense, The Okee Dokee Brothers. Un programa bilingüe que incluye canciones antiguas y nuevas que abarcan las tradiciones musicales de América del Norte, ilustrando el poder colectivo de cantar juntos y aprender unos de otros. Con espíritu aventurero y una visión en común de paz y aceptación, Somos Amigos anima a personas de todas las edades a explorar, bailar, cantar y reír juntos.
Approximate Running Time: 60 Minutes
Recommended for Grades: K through 5
Curriculum Connections: Language Arts; Science; Emotional/Social Development; Relationship Skills
Griffin Theatre Company presents
FRINDLE
Friday, October 18, 2024 @ 9:30AM & 11:15AM
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 your students inventing their own words.
Approximate Running Time: 60 Minutes
Recommended for Grades: 3 through 6
Curriculum Connections: Language Arts; Literature; Vocabulary; Spelling; Creative Writing
Chicago Children’s Theatre presents
PETER RABBIT & FRIENDS
Monday, October 28, 2024 @ 9:30AM & 11:15AM
Four classic Beatrix Potter stories, “The Tale of Peter Rabbit,” “The Tailor of Gloucestor,” “The Tale of Jeremy Fisher,” and “The Tale of Tom Kitten,” come to life in this mesmerizing puppet show, complete with Potter’s original text, live original music and three charming performers who engage and encourage their young audience to think about these iconic animal characters’ ‘big’ emotions. A popular favorite at Chicago Children’s Theatre since 2018, the hand-made production has toured local schools, libraries, and cultural institutions, as well as various cities in China.
Approximate Running Time: 60 Minutes
Recommended for Grades: Pre K through 3
Curriculum Connections: Fine Arts; Language Arts; Science; Emotional/Social Development
123 ANDRÉS
Friday, December 6, 2024 @ 9:30AM & 11:15AM
Recommended for Grades: Pre K through 3
Curriculum Connections: Latin Music; Musical Instruments; Spanish Language & Culture; American Sign Language (ASL); Social Studies; Geography of the Americas; Physical activity & kid-friendly dance moves
TheaterworksUSA presents
PETE THE CAT
Friday, April 4, 2025 @ 9:30AM & 11:15AM
Recommended for Grades: Pre K through 3
Curriculum Connections: Communication and Language Arts; Literature Based; Music; Relationships and Family
TheaterworksUSA presents
DON’T LET THE PIGEON DRIVE THE BUS! The Musical!
Friday, May 2, 2025 @ 9:30AM & 11:15AM
Is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI.
TUTTI FRUTTI PRODUCTIONS presents
UNDERNEATH A MAGICAL MOON
Friday, May 5, 2025 @ 9:30AM & 11:15AM
Ticket Prices:
- Subsidized ticket price = $18 per student
- One complimentary ticket is available to a parent/teacher chaperone for every 15 students
- Additional seating for non-students is available at the full price rate of $25 each
- Waived handling fees
Additional Information:
- Reservations will not be confirmed until a signed contract is received. Number of tickets may be increased or decreased by up to 5%, but must be confirmed 90 days prior to the event
- A non-refundable deposit of 50% of the estimated total cost is due 90 days prior to the scheduled performance date
- Tickets must be paid in full 30 days prior to the event
- Seating is subject to the discretion of the theatre
- All sales are final. No refunds. Please arrive promptly as all shows begin on time. A map and driving directions are available
- Handicap accessibility is available, but must be requested in advance
PLEASE NOTE: Reservations will not be confirmed until a signed contract is received. For questions or more information, please email outreach@emelin.org
ABOUT THE PRESENTERS
THEATERWORKS USA We picture a world in which theatre gives rising generations a reason to look up and explore themselves and their communities with optimism and excitement. We create exceptional, transformative theatrical experiences that are accessible to young and family audiences in diverse communities throughout New York City and North America.
TUTTI FRUTTI PRODUCTIONS We delight children through imaginative and meaningful theatre. We’re Tutti Frutti, and for over 30 years we have created high-quality, inventive theatre performances for children aged 3+ and their families from our base in Harehills, Leeds.
GRIFFIN THEATRE COMPANY We create extraordinary and meaningful theatrical experiences for both children and adults by building bridges of understanding between generations that instill in its audience an appreciation of the performing arts. Through artistic collaboration, we produce literary adaptations, original work and classic plays that challenge and inspire, with wit, style and compassion for the audience.
CHICAGO CHILDREN’S THEATRE Recipient of the National Artistic Innovation Award 2019 from Theatre for Young Audiences USA.