ARTS Showcase
For the 2024-25 academic year, the Providence Performing Arts Center will be presenting both live and virtual ARTS Showcase performances. Schools can sign up for one live performance and as many virtual performances as they would like. WE REQUEST THAT ONE CONTACT TEACHER REGISTER FOR EACH SCHOOL, SO THAT WE DON’T HAVE MULTIPLE ORDERS PER SCHOOLS FOR IN-PERSON PERFORMANCES. The virtual offering of specified performances will be offered one month following the live performance and will be available for viewing for a three-week period. Our performance season this year runs from November 2024 through May of 2025.
ARTS Showcase performances at PPAC feature both New England and nationally acclaimed touring artists. The artists are selected by a PPAC committee based on artistic quality, cultural diversity, educational value, and the positive message of the performances. Schools must register online to be part of our live and virtual viewing audiences (limited live seating capacity of approximately 2200). Once schools register, they will receive a confirmation email letting them know if their group has been confirmed for seats. We also reimburse for busing costs for groups of 20 students or more attending our performances; you must submit these invoices to gmadeya@ppacri.org within 60 days of the performance that your school attended, and we will send a check to cover the transportation cost. Please note: PPAC is NOT responsible for any busing costs incurred due to last-minute changes within 48 hours of the performance.
Viewing and attending PPAC ARTS Showcase performances is FREE; these performances are not available to the public. This initiative is an outreach program offered to Rhode Island students in grades K-8. YOU MUST BE REGISTERED TO PARTICIPATE BOTH IN PERSON AND VIRTUALLY. Teachers/schools who are interested in attending in person or virtually viewing PPAC ARTS Showcase performances with their students can complete a registration form on our website or request registration materials from Grace Madeya at gmadeya@ppacri.org. (Please specify the PPAC ARTS Showcase performance you are interested in registering for when reaching out.)
NEW THIS YEAR: For in-person performances, all participating schools must review the new ARTS Showcase Handbook. Please feel free to reach out gmadeya@ppacri.org with any questions.
*Please note: SHAKESPEARE TIME TRAVELING SPEAKEASY and ALL THE WAY LIVE! will NOT be available for virtual viewing during the 2024-25 season.*
SHAKESPEARE TO HIP HOP
THE SHAKESPEARE TIME TRAVELING SPEAKEASY
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2024 – 9:45 AM
*AVAILABLE IN-PERSON ONLY*
THE SHAKESPEARE TIME TRAVELING SPEAKEASY is a literary concert presentation that provides an excellent introduction to the life and works of William Shakespeare. The presentation includes multimedia and features a live band. Students are engaged and inspired by lively original songs in a variety of American music styles including Jazz, Blues, Rock, Hip Hop, and Country that provide information about Shakespeare’s life and influence on our culture. The “Speakeasy” is an engaging and entertaining presentation that is brimming with educational information and facts about the Bard, featuring period-influenced costumes (feathered hats and all!).
This performance is limited to grades 4 - 8.
Curriculum Connections: English Language Arts, Theatre, History, and Music.
Runtime: Approximately 55 minutes
IN-PERSON REGISTRATION DEADLINE: Monday, October 7, 2024, or until registration is at capacity.
DOKTOR KABOOM – NEW!
LOOK OUT! SCIENCE IS COMING!
TUESDAY, JANUARY 14, 2025 – 9:45 AM
*AVAILABLE VIRTUALLY MONDAY, FEBRUARY 10 – MONDAY, MARCH 3, 2025*
The original DOKTOR KABOOM! show in which the good Doktor takes his audience on an educational tour of the modern scientific method, using humor and comedy while demonstrating spectacular applications of the physical sciences.
Topics covered include safety; pressure and force; simple machines; velocity; application of science to everyday life; the scientific method (hypothesis and experimentation); multiple experimentation; constant discovery of new information and data; definitions: chemical reactions, exothermic, external and chemical formula; mass; air pressure and demonstration vs. experimentation.
This performance is limited to grades 3 - 5.
Curriculum Connections: Science, Physical Science, STEAM, Theatre, Health, Social Emotional Learning
Runtime: Approximately 60 minutes
IN-PERSON REGISTRATION DEADLINE: Monday, December 16, 2024, or until registration is at capacity.
BOSOMA DANCE COMPANY
THE BUTTERFLY EFFECT: MOMENTS IN TIME
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2025 – 9:45 AM
*AVAILABLE VIRTUALLY MONDAY, MARCH 3 – MONDAY, MARCH 24, 2025*"
From the flap of a wing contributing to a hurricane halfway across the globe to finding love in the grocery store, the Butterfly Effect is an age-old phenomenon proving that one moment in time can unknowingly have a huge impact on the future. The five (5) stories told through BOSOMA DANCE COMPANY reflect short moments in time that leave lasting influence. Each piece will be introduced with an explanation of the dance.
THE BUTTERFLY EFFECT: MOMENTS IN TIME aims to start conversations about how small decisions can affect the universe. This dance concert shows how everyone can make a difference and that students should take care of others.
CLICK HERE TO SEE STUDENT TESTIMONIALS ABOUT BOSOMA
This performance is limited to grades 5 - 8.
Curriculum Connections: Dance, Music, Social Emotional Learning, and Self-Expression.
Runtime: Approximately 55 minutes
IN-PERSON REGISTRATION DEADLINE: Monday, January 6, 2025, or until registration is at capacity.
CAHOOTS - NEW!
THE VANISHING ELEPHANT
FRIDAY, MARCH 14, 2025 – 9:45 AM
*AVAILABLE VIRTUALLY MONDAY, APRIL 14 – MONDAY, MAY 5, 2025*
THE VANISHING ELEPHANT tells the story of an Asian Elephant called Janu. Janu is born in Bengal, India and like any young animal, is full of curiosity about the world around her. One day, Janu hears the sound of an elephant hunt, she is captured and separated from her family. Her life changes dramatically; she must learn the ways of humans. She is to be trained to work on clearing the jungle so that railways can be built. The training is sometimes cruel, but she does make friends with an Indian boy named Opu. It is this friendship that lies at the heart of the performance. THE VANISHING ELEPHANT features stunning puppets designed and made by Helen Foan, including a baby elephant, a young adult elephant, a fully grown elephant, and a tiger.
This performance is limited to grades 4 - 8.
Curriculum Connections: Science, Geography, History, Language and Literacy, Personal Development and Mutual Understanding, The Arts, Social Emotional Learning
Runtime: Approximately 70 minutes
IN-PERSON REGISTRATION DEADLINE: Monday, February 17, 2025, or until registration is at capacity.
PILOBOLUS DANCE COMPANY – NEW!
PILOBOLUS IS A FUNGUS
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 30, 2025 – 9:45 AM
*AVAILABLE VIRTUALLY MONDAY, MAY 26 – FRIDAY, JUNE 13, 2025*
PILOBOLUS IS A FUNGUS is not merely a performance; it is an immersive educational experience that intertwines themes of nature, interconnectedness, and the fascinating world of fungi with dance and storytelling. The artistic intent behind this show uses Pilobolus’s namesake fungus to captivate young audiences, guiding them on a journey of discovery about the natural world. This approach underscores the importance and beauty of ecological systems, aligning perfectly with the curricular needs of elementary and middle school students by blending science, art, and physical expression at an age-appropriate level.
This performance is limited to grades K - 4.
Curriculum Connections: Science, Art, Critical Thinking, and Physical Expression.
Runtime: Approximately 55 minutes
IN-PERSON REGISTRATION DEADLINE: Monday, March 31, 2025, or until registration is at capacity.
PAIGE HERNANDEZ
ALL THE WAY LIVE!
TUESDAY, MAY 20, 2025 – 9:45 AM
*AVAILABLE IN-PERSON ONLY*
What does it take to be ALL THE WAY LIVE? World-renowned hip-hop artists Baye Harrell and Paige Hernandez have created an interactive boom box that’s powered by you! As engineers, the audience will journey through the different stations of this boom box’s radio. The boom box will give you all you need to know about hip hop, working together and how to be your best self. "Creativity", "Respect" and "Cooperation" are just a few stations that are explored. In this interactive show with original music by Nicktha1da, the audience is empowered through rhyme, dance, beat box and more as they journey through self-discovery.
This performance is limited to grades K - 3.
Curriculum Connections: Fine Arts, Language Arts, Storytelling, Music, Emotional Development, Engineering, and Dance.
Runtime: Approximately 55 minutes
IN-PERSON REGISTRATION DEADLINE: Monday, April 21, 2025, or until registration is at capacity.