Events

The Art of Illusion & Creativity with Noah Sonie

Tuesday, September 30, 2025,  4:30-5:45pm
Archbishop Carroll High School (athletic entrance)
4524 Linden Ave, Dayton 45432

This FREE student workshop combines performance, storytelling and hands-on magic. Students will see magic performed live and learn simple tricks they can perform themselves. Noah will talk about what it means to build a creative career, follow passions and create opportunities through creativity! Free pizza provided.

Muse Musical Auditions

Beginning the week of September 22, 2025
Metropolitan Arts Center (next to the Victoria Theatre)

Be a part of one of the largest student productions in the state! The Muse production has opportunities for actor/singer/dancers, musicians and behind-the-schenes production assistants. Musical auditions are now complete.

In-School Performances

Below are the performances that will tour participating schools in the 2025-26 season. Your Muse Machine advisors select which performances will appear at your school (all performances may not appear at all schools). Additional links related to the performances will be available below, added throughout the year.

Kick-Off Performance
HYPE

Presented by magician & mentalist Noah Sonie

Noah’s infectious charm and disarming wit will make YOU the focal point as he delves into the incredible power of the human mind. Witness feats that defy logic as Noah seamlessly blends telepathy and psychological intuition, creating moments of both wonder and amusement. Prepare to have your thoughts read, your predictions anticipated, and your reality challenged in a way you never thought possible.

MARCH TO THE BEAT

Presented by Dayton Opera

Embark on an interactive journey of musical discovery with Dayton Opera’s Artists-in-Residence! Through an engaging exploration of opera and musical theater, students will experience how music connects to powerful emotions, drives dramatic storytelling and empowers the human voice. They will discover the elements of drama, learn how to express themselves through song and experience the exhilarating capacity of music to inspire and change.  From the refrains of “Figaro, Figaro, Figaro” from The Barber of Seville to Carmen’s “Habanera” to “Something’s Coming” (West Side Story) and “How Far I’ll Go” (Moana), our journey of self-discovery culminates with “This is Me” (The Greatest Showman).

THE DAYTON FUNK LEGACY

Presented by musicians LaFrae Sci and Deron Bell

Discover the electrifying history of Dayton funk music, a youth-driven cultural phenomenon that shaped a generation. This interactive performance explores iconic Dayton funk songs, influential artists and the “Four Funky Fundamentals” of groove, imagination, identity and futurism. This experience combines storytelling, live music and audience participation to inspire a new appreciation for Dayton’s musical legacy and the power of collective creativity!

MOVING BEYOND THE TEXT

Presented by Dayton Contemporary Dance Company

Rooted in oral traditions, African American writers have profoundly shaped American literature. Their voices have driven social change and enriched the cultural fabric of America, weaving stories that reflect the nation’s history, struggles, triumphs, cultural expressions and universal aspects of the human condition. By blending African American literature with contemporary dance, we transform written text into a visual language, deepening the audience’s connection to these narratives in ways words alone cannot. Photo courtesy of DCDC.

ROMEO AND JULIET

Presented by Cincinnati Shakespeare Company

Witness the tragic love story of Romeo and Juliet. Follow the feuding Montagues and Capulets, the secret romance of Romeo and Juliet and the consequences of their forbidden love. This abridged script features engaging narration and opportunities for student participation, bringing Shakespeare’s iconic tale to life in an unforgettable way.

Out-Of-School Performances

Below are the performances that Muse Machine members may attend with discounted tickets in the 2025-26 season. Your Muse Machine advisors select which performances are available for students at your school (all performances may not be available for all schools). See your Muse advisor if you’d like to see a specific show, for performance dates, other info or to purchase discounted tickets!

Muse Machine musical: Disney’s Frozen

• Presented by Muse Machine at the Victoria Theatre on Jan 15-18, 2026; $15
……….Thurs, Jan 15, 2026 at 7:00pm
……….Fri, Jan 16, 2026 at 7:30pm
……….Sat, Jan 17, 2026 at 2:30pm
……….Sat, Jan 17, 2026 at 7:30pm
……….Sun, Jan 18, 2026 at 2:00pm
• Recommended for ages: 6 and up
• Estimated run time: 2:15
• When Queen Elsa’s hidden powers plunge Arendelle into an eternal winter, her sister Anna alongside several new friends set out save the kingdom. This is the story you know and love in a production which brings the magic and music of the hit movie to life on stage!

John Williams & Friends

• Presented by Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra at the Schuster Center
• Sat, Sept 27, 2025 at 7:30pm
• Recommended for ages 7 and up
• Estimated run time: TBA
• Famed Hollywood Music Director Richard Kaufman leads an evening of cinematic favorites from the legendary John Williams and other renowned film composers. Experience the magic of Hollywood’s greatest scores performed live by the Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra.

Black Violin: Full Circle Tour

• Presented by Dayton Live at the Schuster Center
• Fri, Oct 10, 2025 at 7:30pm
• Recommended for ages 7 and up
• Estimated run time: TBA
• Black Violin is back with their live blend of classical, hip-hop, rock, R&B and bluegrass music – accompanied by their incredible band, featuring DJ SPS and a drummer!

Giselle

• Presented by Dayton Ballet at the Victoria Theatre
• Sat, Oct 11, 2025 at 7:30pm (6:15 preshow & pizza)
• Recommended for ages 8 and up
• Estimated run time: 1:35
• Inspiring modern works such as Black Swan and Corpse Bride, Giselle begins as a sweet, romantic story but transforms into something ghostly and supernatural by the end. It’s a ballet about love, betrayal, madness, and forgiveness – where a young woman dies of a broken heart, yet her spirit returns to save the man who deceived her.
• Pizza & Show Performance: Arrive early for free pizza, beverage and a special guest presenter!

The Sound of Music

• Presented by Dayton Live at the Schuster Center
• Wed, Oct 15, 2025 at 7:30pm AND Thurs, Oct 16, 2025 at 7:30pm
• Recommended for ages 7 and up
• Estimated run time: 2:45
• The critically acclaimed tour directed by three-time Tony Award winner Jack O’Brien (Hairspray) – this vibrant tale of Maria and the von Trapp family will captivate audiences with its universal themes of resilience and the power of music.

Barbie The Movie: In Concert

• Presented by Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra at the Schuster Center
• Sat, Oct 25, 2025 at 7:30pm
• Recommended for ages 13 and up (the movie is PG-13)
• Estimated run time: 2:15
• The record-shattering, full-length feature film is accompanied by live orchestra, performing both the score and the beloved pop songs from the iconic soundtrack!

Carmen

• Presented by Dayton Opera, Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra & Dayton Ballet at the Schuster Center
• Sat, Nov 1, 2025 at 7:30pm
• Recommended for ages 12 and up
• Estimated run time: TBA
• This is Bizet’s iconic Carmen — the story of a fiery woman who dances to her own rhythm and a soldier ensnared by her captivating spirit. Featuring some of opera’s most passionate melodies, Carmen explodes with energy.

Queens of Soul

• Presented by Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra at the Schuster Center
• Sat, Nov 8, 2025 at 7:30pm
• Recommended for ages 8 and up
• Estimated run time: 2:00
• Celebrate the powerhouse women who changed the face of music. From Aretha and Tina to Whitney, Adele and more. Featuring the sensational Shayna Steele — whose voice has lit up Broadway and Hollywood!

The Wiz

• Presented by Dayton Live at the Schuster Center
• Wed, Nov 12, 2025 at 7:30pm AND Thurs, Nov 13, 2025 at 7:30pm (6:15 preshow & pizza – Thurs only)
• Recommended for ages 8 and up
• Estimated run time: 2:20
• A brand new adaptation of the Oz retelling that changed the face of Broadway — from its iconic score packed with soul, gospel, rock and 70s funk to its stirring tale of Dorothy’s journey to find her place in a contemporary world.
• Pizza & Show Performance: Arrive early for free pizza, beverage and a special guest presenter (Thursday performance only).

Canadian Brass

• Presented by Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra at the Schuster Center
• Sat, Nov 22, 2025 at 7:30pm
• Recommended for ages 6 and up
• Estimated run time: 2:00
• The world’s premier brass ensemble reunites with the Dayton Philharmonic for a spectacular night of holiday cheer with their signature wit and warmth.

Back to the Future: The Musical

• Presented by Dayton Live at the Schuster Center
• Wed, Dec 3, 2025 at 7:30pm AND Thurs, Dec 4, 2025 at 7:30pm AND Fri, Dec 5, 2025 at 8:00pm
• Recommended for ages 6 and up
• Estimated run time: 2:40
• When Marty McFly finds himself transported back to 1955 in a time machine, he accidentally changes the course of history. Now he’s in a race against time to fix the present, escape the past and send himself… back to the future!

The Magic Flute

• Presented by the Metropolitan Opera: Live in HD at Regal Cinema, Fairfield Commons, Beavercreek (time TBA) on Sat, Dec 6, 2025
• Free
• Recommended for ages 8 and up
• Estimated run time: 1:55
The Met’s family-friendly production of Mozart’s dazzling fairy tale returns, sung in English! Join the brave prince on a quest to win the clever princess under the watch of the Queen of the Night. Includes a pre-opera workshop at a school or Muse studio, followed by a live-streamed Met Opera performance at a local movie theater.

Scrooge! The Musical

• Presented by La Comedia Dinner Theatre, 765 W. Central Ave, Springboro 45066
• Thurs, Dec 11, 2025 (see time below) AND Fri, Dec 12, 2025 (see time below)
• Price includes dinner & show
• Recommended for ages 8 and up
• Estimated run time: 2:00 (arrive 5:30-6:00pm for meal; show ends at approximately 9:30pm.)
• In this timeless musical adaptation of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, miserly Ebenezer Scrooge is visited by ghosts and undergoes a profound experience of redemption over the course of a Christmas Eve night!

The Nutcracker

• Presented by Dayton Ballet and Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra at the Schuster Center
• Sat, Dec 13, 2025 at 7:30pm AND Fri, Dec 19, 2025 at 7:30pm
• Recommended for ages 5 and up
• Estimated run time: 1:45
• Join little Clara as she drifts into restless slumber, where she meets the sparkling Sugar Plum Fairy and her Cavalier. An enormous cast dances to live music performed by the Dayton Philharmonic in this holiday tradition!

Handel’s Messiah

• Presented by Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra and Chorus at the Schuster Center
• Tues, Dec 16, 2025 at 7:30pm
• Recommended for ages 12 and up
• Estimated run time: approx 2:00
• Handel’s Messiah – featuring the triumphant Hallelujah Chorus – is a masterpiece of grandeur and devotion, transcending faith and captivating all who hear it.

Shostakovich 5 & Festive

• Presented by Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra at the Schuster Center
• Fri, Jan 30, 2026 at 7:30pm
• Recommended for ages 12 and up
• Estimated run time: TBA
• Maestro Harada leads an exuberant program that reflects his own journey from Japan to Russia, where he mastered the art of conducting. Rhythmic energy and bold brass highlight a jubilant and unforgettable evening of sweeping emotion and vibrant sound.

Les Misérables

• Presented by Dayton Live at the Schuster Center
• Wed, Feb 4, 2026 at 7:30pm AND Thurs, Feb 5, 2026 at 7:30pm AND Sun, Feb 8, 2026 at 1:00pm
• Recommended for ages 10 and up
• Estimated run time: 2:50
• Set against the backdrop of 19th century France, Les Misérables tells an enthralling story of broken dreams, sacrifice and redemption – a timeless testament to the survival of the human spirit. This brilliant staging has been hailed as “Les Mis for the 21st Century” (Huffington Post).

The Sleeping Beauty (ballet)

• Presented by Dayton Ballet at the Schuster Center
• Fri, Feb 20, 2026 at 7:30pm (6:15 preshow & pizza)
• Recommended for ages 5 and up
• Estimated run time: TBA
• The Sleeping Beauty unfolds like a beautiful dream – an immersive experience for the senses boasting lush scenery, gorgeous recognizable music and dazzling dancing.
• Pizza & Show Performance: Arrive early for free pizza, beverage and a special guest presenter!

An American Portrait: Gershwin, Barber & Beyond

• Presented by Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra with the Poiesis Quartet at the Schuster Center
• Fri, Mar 6, 2026 at 7:30pm
• Recommended for ages 7 and up
• Estimated run time: TBA
• This electrifying program (including Gershwin’s “An American in Paris,” Barber’s Adagio for Strings and more) celebrates the unmistakable spirit and joy of American music.

Rhythms of Wonder: United by the Beat

• Presented by Dayton Philharmonic Youth Orchestra at the Schuster Center
• Sun, Mar 8, 2026 at 2:30pm
• Recommended for ages 7 and up
• Estimated run time: TBA
• From the driving energy of percussion to the sweeping melodies of the full orchestra – join an uplifting afternoon filled with dynamic performances, joyful melodies and the incredible talent of the next generation of musicians!

Suffs

• Presented by Dayton Live at the Schuster Center
• Wed, Apr 1, 2026 at 7:30pm AND Thurs, Apr 2, 2026 at 7:30pm (6:15 preshow & pizza – Thurs only)
• Recommended for ages 10 and up
• Estimated run time: 2:30
• Direct from Broadway, comes the acclaimed Tony Award-winning musical Suffs about the brilliant, passionate, and funny American women who fought tirelessly for the right to vote.
• Pizza & Show Performance: Arrive early for free pizza, beverage and a special guest presenter (Thursday performance only).

Hay Fever

• Presented by the Human Race Theatre Company at the Loft Theatre
• Wed, Apr 8, 2026 at 7:30pm AND Wed, Apr 15, 2026 at 7:30pm (6:15 preshow & pizza – Apr 15 only)
• Recommended for ages 10 and up
• Estimated run time: 2:10
• Hoping for a quiet weekend in the country with some guests, a retired actress and her novelist husband find peace to be impossible when their children appear with guests of their own and things take a hilarious turn.
• Pizza & Show Performance: Arrive early for free pizza, beverage and a special guest presenter (April 15 performance only).

American Soundscapes

• Presented by Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra, Dayton Ballet & Dayton Opera at the Schuster Center
• Sat, Apr 18, 2026 at 7:30pm
• Recommended for ages 7 and up
• Estimated run time: TBA
• A celebration of American music and dance, including Copland’s “Hoe-Down,” Bernstein’s dances from West Side Story, Gershwin’s “Rhapsody in Blue” and much more.

Opera Star John Holiday

• Presented by Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra & Dayton Opera at the Schuster Center
• Sat, Apr 25, 2026 at 7:30pm
• Recommended for ages 7 and up
• Estimated run time: TBA
• Few voices in the world possess the rare versatility to master both classical and pop music – but John Holiday is an undeniable exception. An internationally acclaimed countertenor, he commands the opera stage with breathtaking artistry while dazzling audiences with his dynamic pop performances. A 2020 finalist on “The Voice,” Holiday continues to redefine boundaries, proving that true talent knows no limits.

Mrs. Doubfire: The Musical

• Presented by Dayton Live at the Schuster Center
• Wed, May 6, 2026 at 7:30pm AND Thurs, May 7, 2026 at 7:30pm AND Sat, May 9, 2026 at 8:00pm
• Recommended for ages 8 and up
• Estimated run time: 2:30
• After losing custody in a messy divorce, an out-of-work actor creates the kindly alter ego of a Scottish nanny in a desperate attempt to stay in his children’s lives. A hilarious and heartfelt story about holding onto your loved ones against all odds!

Eugene Onegin

• Presented by the Metropolitan Opera: Live in HD at Regal Cinema, Fairfield Commons, Beavercreek (time TBA) on Sat, May 2, 2026
• Free
• Recommended for ages 8 and up
• Estimated run time: 2:49
Tchaikovsky’s best-loved opera Eugene Onegin is a deeply moving tale packed with big tunes, dances and a heart-stopping duel! The story follows the arrogant yet enigmatic Eugene Onegin and the bookish and intelligent Tatiana, as they encounter each other over the years. Includes a pre-opera workshop at a school or Muse studio, followed by a live-streamed Met Opera performance at a local movie theater.

Porgy & Bess in Concert

• Presented by Dayton Opera at the Schuster Center
• Fri, May 15, 2026 at 7:30pm
• Recommended for ages 13 and up
• Estimated run time: TBA
• Porgy And Bess premiered on Broadway in 1935 and its music took root in our culture, with iconic songs like “Summertime” and “I Got Plenty o’ Nuttin’” becoming popular classics. It’s themes of community resilience, acceptance, and redemption weave a poignant story, all told through a “melting pot” of musical styles from folk to blues, to spirituals, to jazz, to Broadway theatre music, and classical to create what is considered by many to be the greatest American opera.