School Performance Series
Educate, Entertain, Inspire.
LUX Orchestra
Running Time: ~ 60 minutes
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 21
AT 9:30AM
Recommended Grades: 3 – 6
Curriculum Connections: Visual and Performing Arts, Music, Language Arts, Social Studies
LUX – An Orchestra Like No Other!
Bold. Dramatic. Visionary. LUX orchestra initiative is an explosion of light, sound, and artistry. Founded by conductor and composer Brent Chancellor and in collaboration with Carnegie Hall’s Link Up and SOPAC, LUX presents a new vision for orchestral music aimed at inspiring young audiences. The performance serves as an engaging introduction to the orchestra for students embarking on their journey toward instrumental instruction and mastery. LUX bonds high-energy performance, dynamic lighting, and synchronized projections to engage every student and spark lasting enthusiasm for orchestral music.
Frosty: A Musical Adventure
Running Time: ~ 60 minutes
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 13
AT 10AM
Recommended Grades: K – 5
Curriculum Connections: Visual and Performing Arts, Music, Language Arts, Literature, Social Studies, History
The Barter Players bring an imaginative and timeless classic to the SOPAC stage!
A young orphan named Billy discovers magic in a stolen hat, bringing to life a very special, very snowy friend. Can Frosty help Billy find his real family in time for Christmas? Join these two icy adventurers on a musical quest through New York City as they discover that winter, though harsh and chilly, is truly the season of warmth.
Tired Souls: King and the Montgomery Bus Boycott
Running Time: ~ 60 minutes
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 15
AT 10AM
Recommended Grades: 3 – 8
Curriculum Connections: Visual and Performing Arts, Literature, Social Studies, History Montgomery, Alabama, December 1, 1955 — Rosa Parks refuses to give up her seat on a city bus to a white man. Her determination becomes the catalyst for Montgomery’s black citizens to abandon all travel on city buses until they were no longer forced to sit in the back or stand when a white person boarded.
But before Mrs. Parks’ act of courage and conviction, others had lain the groundwork for this pivotal moment.
Tired Souls introduces audiences to Jo Ann Robinson, Claudette Colvin, and other activists instrumental in lighting a fire under the Civil Rights movement and changing the course of U.S. history.
Occasional use of language or terminology accurate to an event’s period or setting may be viewed by some as offensive or inappropriate — but by avoiding such language, the historical truth of the portrayal becomes less authentic.
NJ Poetry Out Loud Region 5 Competition
Running Time: ~ 120 minutes
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 4 AT 10AM
Recommended Grades: 8 – 12
Curriculum Connections: Visual and Performing Arts, Language Arts
Poetry Out Loud (POL) empowers students to build self-confidence, master public speaking, and engage literary history and contemporary works. Traditionally designed for public, charter, parochial school, and homeschool teachers, the national poetry recitation program fosters growth and creativity through memorizing and reciting great poetic works. For the 11th year, SOPAC hosts the Region 5 (Essex and Union counties) NJ POL Competition. NJ Poetry Out Loud is a project of the New Jersey State Council on the Arts and the Count Basie Center for the Arts. Poetry Out Loud is a national arts education program, led by the National Endowment for the Arts and the Poetry Foundation, in partnership with the state and jurisdictional arts agencies across the country. In New Jersey, the State Arts Council and the Basie work with a growing network of regional partners to implement the program statewide.
For more information, visit the New Jersey Poetry Out Loud website, www.njpol.org/
Super Scientific Circus
Running Time: ~ 60 minutes
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 18
AT 10AM
Recommended Grades: 2 – 5
Curriculum Connections: Visual and Performing Arts, Language Arts, Mathematics, Science
Starring Mr. Fish and Trent the Mime, Super Scientific Circus proves that science can be both fun and hilarious. Assisted — and foiled — by the comedic antics of Trent the Mime, Mr. Fish unveils amazing circus skills involving boomerangs, bubbles, beach balls, bull whips, and magic to introduce the principles of friction, inertia, centripetal force, aerodynamics, sonic booms, air pressure, and ultraviolet light. Combining zany characters and outrageous stunts with hilarious audience participation, Super Scientific Circus fuses the wonder of science with wholesome entertainment.
The Math Maniac Show
Running Time: ~ 60 minutes
TUESDAY, MARCH 18
AT 10AM
Recommended Grades: K – 6
Curriculum Connections: Visual and Performing Arts, Language Arts, Math
The show that makes math fun!
Sharing fast-paced, upbeat, and highly visual demonstrations, The Math Maniac proves that learning math while having fun is as logical as 2+2=4. Engaging and 100% supportive of core curriculum, The Math Maniac supports every level of learning, whether students are reviewing, previewing, or learning material for the first time. Students have so much fun, they forget they’re learning! This program helps K-6 students hone their skills in: arithmetic, patterns, place values, word problems, fractions, measurement, geometry, money, operations, word problems, and probability.
Panto’s Treasure Island
FRIDAY, APRIL 11
AT 10AM
Running Time: ~ 60 minutes
Recommended Grades: 2 – 5
Curriculum Connections: Visual and Performing Arts, Language Arts
One of the most popular adventure tales of all time, Treasure Island delivers an action-packed, fun-filled tale of piracy, a mysterious treasure map, and a host of characters with wicked intentions. From The Panto Company, and told as only they can, this performance shares the tale of Treasure Island through the eyes of Jim Hawkins, the cabin boy of the Hispaniola. A thrilling adventure, this timeless story features a perilous sea journey across the Spanish Main, a mutiny led by the infamous Long John Silver, a scramble for buried treasure on an exotic isle, and the message that good prevails over evil every time.
Trekking Mexico
Running Time: ~ 60 minutes
MONDAY, MAY 12 AT 10AM
Recommended Grades: K – 5
Curriculum Connections: Visual and Performing Arts, Music, Language Arts, Social Studies
Dive into Trekking Mexico’s creative exploration of folk traditions, both ancient and contemporary. This colorful educational show leads families on a Mexican expedition of historic and geographic regions, engaging a vibrant performance of folkloric music and dance. From feeling the rumbling drums of Tenochtitlan to hearing the sweet strings of the Jaranas of Veracruz, audiences enjoy an immersive experience across the jungles of Tabasco and the mountains of Guerrero. During this multimedia performance, kids and families embark on a joyful ride through a rich and storied culture.
KIDS + FAMILY
The Kids + Family Series is generously sponsored by Burgers Grilled Right
Get Hypnotized! The Erick Känd Comedy Hypnosis Show
FRIDAY, JANUARY 31 AT 7:30PM
Recommended Ages: 12+
Laugh, participate, and experience an altered state of reality when you Get Hypnotized at SOPAC! During this performance, acclaimed hypnotist Erick Känd invites audience volunteers to be hypnotized, undergoing a complete transformation and becoming the stars of the show. The ensuing pandemonium will delight attendees and spark endless laughter!
Heart & Soul of Magic
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 8 AT 1PM
Recommended Ages: 10+
Experience the incredible at SOPAC. World-class magicians Ran’D Shine and Jamahl Keyes entrance their audience with psychological illusions, hilarity, and pure magic to create an immersive event that pushes everyone to the edge of their seats!
PANTO’s Treasure Island
SATURDAY, APRIL 12 AT 1PM
Recommended Ages: 7-10
One of the most popular adventure tales of all time, PANTO’s Treasure Island delivers audiences of families with children of all ages a thrilling adventure of a perilous sea journey, a mutiny led by the infamous Long John Silver, a scramble for buried treasure, and the message that good prevails over evil every time.
Become a Family-level Member or higher ($100+) for 2 FREE kids companion tickets + more great benefits! Get all the Membership details at SOPACnow.org/Member - OR - Save 15% with code KID15 when you buy tickets for 3 or more performances on the same order.
TWO WAYS TO SAVE!
Frank & Lydia Bergen Foundation
