Tuesday, September 04, 2012

Area schools invited to matinee performances at Saint Mary’s


WINONA, Minn. — The Performance Center of Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota is pleased to announce the 2012-2013 school-only matinees. This year’s matinee performances provide inexpensive opportunities for area students in kindergarten through grade 12 to experience the best in performing arts.

Interested schools should contact Tove Wiggs at (507) 457-1716 or twiggs@smumn.edu to reserve seating for their school groups. If e-mailing, include “SCHOOL MATINEE” in the subject line and include the following information:
• Name of School
• Contact name, phone number, and email address
• Number of students expected to attend
• Grade level or age range of students (whichever is applicable)
• Number of expected chaperones
• Any needed accessibility services

All seats cost $3 per person (for students and chaperones) and payment is due upon arrival. Schools are asked to limit chaperones to one adult per 10 students, when possible. You will be contacted to confirm your school’s participation.

Groups should plan to arrive between 20 and 30 minutes prior to the performance. Those who arrive earliest are seated first. Most events last 50 to 60 minutes and offer study guides with pre- and post-performance activities and discussion topics.

Go to www.pagetheatre.org to find more information about the artists, study guides and links to artist websites. Click on the “School Matinee” link to find more information.

School matinees 2012-13

Bunnicula
Theatreworks USA
TUESDAY • OCT. 9 • 10 a.m. or 12:30 p.m.
A bunny tale of mystery
* Recommended for grades 2-6
“Bunnicula” is new musical co-written by Tony-nominated playwright Charles Busch and based on the best-selling books by James & Deborah Howe. Chester the cat and Harold the dog get along like ... well... cats and dogs, even though underneath their furry exteriors, they’re really the best of pals. A very strange baby rabbit who has sharp fangs instead of buckteeth, and who sleeps all day and prowls around his cage all night arrives to rattle their friendship. Will Harold and Chester remain friends? Will Bunnicula find his mother before it’s too late? Will the nocturnal assault on all that is good and green continue?

Theatreworks USA was last seen at the Page with Duck for President and Other Stories. Celebrating their 50th year of high quality touring family friendly theatre, this New York City based company is a Page Series favorite.

‘The Nutcracker’
Dance Repertory Company and SMU Dept. of Theatre and Dance
WEDNESDAY • NOV. 28 • 10 a.m.
Traditional Christmas-time tale
*Recommended for first-graders and above
The ballet tells the story of a young girl, Clara, who on Christmas Eve dreams of a battle between the Nutcracker Prince and the Rat King and his band of mice. At a pivotal moment, Clara comes to the aid of the Prince and helps him win the battle. To reward Clara for her help, the Prince takes her to the Land of Snow and the Kingdom of Sweets where she meets the Sugar Plum Fairy and sees a beautiful array of ethnic dances.

Zorro
Visible Fictions of Scotland
WEDNESDAY • JAN. 23, 2013 • 10 a.m. or 12:30 p.m.
A mysterious figure has arrived in town
*Recommended for grades 3-8
With a mask and a cape, Don Diego becomes Zorro and fights for the good of the people and the woman he loves. No tyrant or traitor is safe from the justice of the mysterious Zorro, who leaves his mark — a distinctive “Z” carved with his sword — on those who bully, torture, steal and threaten the lives of others. Visible Fictions has been internationally touring award-winning theatre for young people for 17 years. This is their first visit to the Page Theatre. PLEASE NOTE: Run time is 65 minutes

The Gruffalo
Tall Stories of England
WEDNESDAY • FEB. 27, 2013 • 10 a.m.
One scary forest monster
*Recommended for pre-k students through third-graders
Join Mouse on an adventurous journey through the deep, dark wood in this magical, musical adaptation of the Blue Peter award-winning picture book by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler. Mouse can scare hungry animals away with tall stories of the terrifying Gruffalo, but what happens when he comes face to face with the very creature he imagined?  Songs, laughs and scary fun for children and their adults. Let your imagination run wild!
Tall Stories, from London, England, was founded in 1996 by joint artistic directors Olivia Jacobs and Toby Mitchell. They present old, new and timeless stories in fresh and exciting ways and their productions tour to theatres, community venues and schools in the UK, Europe, North America and Asia.

Spring Concert
Dance Repertory Company and SMU Dept. of Theatre and Dance
THURSDAY • APRIL 24, 2013 • 10 a.m.
Exciting dance by area dancers
* Recommended for grades 3 and older
Suitable and appealing for all ages, the annual spring concert by Dance Repertory Company offers a well-rounded dance experience by including a variety of dance styles in its performances. Full of youthful exuberance, effervescent spirit and burgeoning talent, the company upholds high artistic standards and commitment to technique, discipline and fun. From contemporary ballet to tap, and from jazz to hip hop, this concert promises delightful choreography performed by an equally delightful company of student dancers.