Events
Human Beatboxing Is Fun-damental with TERRELL X
Wednesday, September 30, 2026, 3:30-4:45pm
Ponitz Career Tech Center
741 W Washington St
At this free workshop, turn your voice, your breath and your body into pure sound with TERRELL X. You’ll learn where beatboxing came from and why it’s a core piece of Hip-Hop culture. Then you’ll get hands-on: nailing the mouth and body positions the pros use, building your own bag of sounds and stacking up crazy vocal combos and rhythms! Free pizza provided.
Register for the free workshop
Muse Musical Auditions
Beginning the week of September 24, 2026
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.
Click here for more info!
In-School Performances
Below are the performances that will tour participating schools in the 2026-27 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
MAN & (MUSE) MACHINES
Presented by musician & storyteller Terrell X
Experience Man & (Muse) Machines with acclaimed beatboxer, songwriter and storyteller Terrell X. Terrell guides audiences through a fast-paced, interactive journey through the evolution of beatboxing and the influence of hip-hop culture on music, technology and the world. Blending call-and-response with looping and effects, he will build music from scratch with you—transforming voice and rhythm into dynamic improvisations that showcase the art form’s innovations and the human body’s limitless possibilities!
Performance Guide: Man & (Muse) Machines
I HEAR AMERICA SINGING
Presented by Dayton Opera
In his 1860 poem, “I Hear America Singing,” Walt Whitman heard not a single anthem but “varied carols” of the laborers, mothers and pioneers who built a nation. Dayton Opera Artists in Residence take this vision of America into the 21st Century through Broadway and opera, from Oklahoma! to Ragtime. Through call-and-response, audiences join a living poem full of the melodies of a people in constant motion, sometimes in harmony, sometimes in discord—but always singing.
LISTEN UP!
Presented by improv performers Jake Lockwood and We Bring the Funny
Get ready to laugh out loud as Jake Lockwood and the team from We Bring the Funny use improv to demonstrate the importance of listening in this highly interactive performance. Stressing the value of teamwork and being present, these comedic performers will guide the audience down a hilarious path of creative collaboration, illuminating the keys to better communication along the way!
A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM
Presented by Cincinnati Shakespeare Company
Step into a magical forest where love, mischief and mistaken identity collide. Young lovers, mischievous fairies and a group of amateur actors find their worlds turned upside down in a single night. This abridged interactive production by Cincinnati Shakespeare Company brings Shakespeare’s most playful comedy to life!
Out-Of-School Performances
Below are the performances that Muse Machine members may attend with discounted tickets in the 2026-27 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 The Lion King Jr
• Presented by Muse Machine
• Victoria Theatre
• Multiple performance options:
—Thurs, Jan 14, 2027 at 7:00pm
—Fri, Jan 15, 2027 at 7:30pm
—Sat, Jan 16, 2027 at 2:30pm
—Sat, Jan 16, 2027 at 7:30pm
—Sun, Jan 17, 2027 at 2:00pm
• Recommended for ages: 6 and up
• Estimated run time: 1:30
• The spectacle of the beloved award-winning musical about family, humor, loss and love in the wild comes to life. Directed by Rufus Bonds, Jr. who currently directs The Lion King on Broadway! The Muse Machine musical has been praised by The Dayton Daily News as “a performing arts all-star effort,” while The Oakwood Register has called it “an evening of true theatrical joy… ”
West Side Story
• Presented by Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra, Dayton Opera & Dayton Ballet
• Schuster Center
• Sat, Sep 26 at 7:30pm (free pre-show presentation & food 6:00pm)
• Estimated run time 2:30
• Recommended for ages 12 and older
• Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet is transported to modern-day New York City as two young, idealistic lovers find themselves caught between warring street gangs. Their struggle to survive in a world of violence and prejudice is one of the most innovative and heart-wrenching musical dramas of our time.
The Crucible
• Presented by Wright State University Theatre Dept
• WSU: Festival Playhouse
• Fri, Oct 2, 2026 at 8:00pm
• Estimated run time 2:45
• Recommended for ages 12 & older
• witch hunt is beginning in Salem. Raised to be seen and not heard, a group of young women suddenly find their words have a terrible power. A climate of fear spreads through the community and soon the truth itself is on trial.
The Notebook
• Presented by Dayton Live
• Schuster Center
• Multiple performance options:
—Wed, Oct 7 at 7:30pm
—Thurs, Oct 8 at 7:30pm
—Sat, Oct 10 at 7:30pm
• Estimated run time: 2:20
• Recommended for ages 10 and older
• The Notebook is a new hit musical based on the best selling novel and iconic film. Allie and Noah, both from different worlds, share a lifetime of love despite the forces that threaten to pull them apart, in a deeply moving portrait of the enduring power of love. Directed by Michael Greif (Dear Evan Hansen, Next to Normal, RENT) and Muse Machine alumna Schele Williams (The Wiz, Aida).
Salem: Blood to Drink
• Presented by Human Race Theatre Co
• The Loft Theatre
• Wed, Oct 14 at 7:30pm (free pre-show presentation & food 6:15pm)
• Estimated run time: 2:00
• Recommended for ages 13 and older (PG-13)
• In this modern dark comedy about America’s most famous witch hunt, Elizabeth Proctor and others find themselves on the wrong side of witchcraft accusations in Salem, 1692. They confront their fears and just how much society has suddenly forced them to have in common. Includes a pre-show presentation & tour!
Macbeth (opera)
• Presented by Metropolitan Opera: Live in HD
• Regal Fairfield 20 Cinema in Beavercreek
• Sat, Oct 17, 2026 at 1:00pm (pre-show workshop 10:30am at the Metropolitan Arts Center)
• Estimated run time: 3:15
• Recommended for ages 12 and older
• With questions of fate, superstition, guilt and power, Verdi’s opera is a powerful musical interpretation of Shakespeare’s timeless drama of ambition and its personal cost. Includes a pre-opera workshop at a school or Muse studio, followed by a live-streamed Met Opera performance at a local movie theater.
A Midsummer Night’s Dream (ballet)
• Presented by Dayton Ballet & Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra
• Victoria Theatre
• Sat, Oct 24 at 7:30pm
• Estimated run time TBA
• Recommended for ages 8 and older
• Dayton Ballet brings Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream to life in a captivating collaboration with the Philharmonic. Force Flux, set to Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 13 opens the evening with bold contemporary movement before dancers transform the stage into a moonlit forest of romance and mischief!
Spectra
• Presented by Dayton Contemporary Dance Company
• Victoria Theatre
• Sun, Nov 1, 2026 at 7:30pm
• Estimated run time TBA
• Recommended for ages 8 and older
• An evening that dances through the full range of what DCDC does best—repertory that moves audiences from one emotion to the next. From tenderness to joy, from tension to power!
Clue
• Presented by Dayton Live
• Schuster Center
• Multiple performance options:
—Tues, Nov 24 at 7:30pm
—Wed, Nov 25 at 7:30pm
—Sun, Nov 29 at 6:30pm
• Estimated run time: 1:30
• Recommended for ages 12 and older
• Murder is on the menu when six mysterious guests assemble at Boddy Manor for a night they’ll never forget! Based on the fan-favorite movie and board game, Clue is the ultimate whodunit that will leave you dying of laughter and keep you guessing until the final twist.
A Christmas Story
• Presented by Dayton Live
• Schuster Center
• Multiple performance options:
—Fri, Dec 4 at 8:00pm
—Sat, Dec 5 at 2:00pm
• Estimated run time: 2:30
• Recommended for ages 8 and older
• From the songwriting team behind Dear Evan Hansen and La La Land, A Christmas Story: The Musical brings the classic movie to hilarious life on stage! Ralphie Parker schemes his way toward the holiday gift of his dreams, but an infamous leg lamp, pink bunny pajamas, a department store Santa and a triple-dog-dare to lick a freezing flagpole are just a few of the distractions that stand between Ralphie and his Christmas wish.
The Nutcracker
• Presented by Dayton Ballet & Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra
• Schuster Center
• Multiple performance options:
—Fri, Dec 11 at 7:30pm
—Fri, Dec 18 at 7:30pm
• Estimated run time: 1:45
• Recommended for ages 5 and older
• 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!
Santa Claus: The Musical (and The Gift of Christmas)
• Presented by LaComedia Dinner Theatre, Springboro
• Multiple performance options:
—Sat, Dec 12 (arrive 10:30-11:00am for meal; show ends at approximately 1:30pm or 2:45; incl meal & show)
—Sat, Dec 12 (arrive 5:30-6:00pm for meal; show ends at approximately 8:30pm or 9:15pm; incl meal & show)
• Recommended for ages 5 and older
• After 1,000 years of faithful service, Santa announces his decision to hang up the big red suit and train a replacement. Enter Nick: a website designer with a tech-savvy daughter. Will they overcome pressures and a jealous elf in time for Nick to take the reins? Santa Claus: The Musical is followed by The Gift of Christmas: a musical narrative of the Nativity told through traditional carols and hymns.
Handel’s Messiah
• Presented by Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra & Chamber Chorus
• Schuster Center
• Wed, Dec 16, 2026 at 7:30pm
• Est run time: 2:30
• Recommended for ages 8 and older
Handel’s masterpiece weaves soaring melodies, triumphant choruses and moments of profound reflection into an unforgettable musical journey. Its sweeping drama transcends faith and when the iconic “Hallelujah” Chorus rings out, audiences rise to their feet in sheer awe of its power.
The Littlest Angel
• Presented by Dayton Contemporary Dance Company
• University of Dayton Boll Theatre
• Multiple performance options:
—Fri, Dec 18, 2026 at 7:00pm
—Sat, Dec 19, 2026 at 7:00pm
• Est run time TBA
• Recommended for ages 8 and older
Inspired by Charles Tazewell’s beloved story, a small angel struggles to belong in heaven until an elder angel helps him overcome homesickness through a humble gift.
The Music of Studio Ghibli
• Presented by Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra
• Schuster Center
• Wed, Jan 20, 2027 at 7:30pm
• Estimated run time: 1:45
• Recommended for ages 7 and older
Conjure the sound world created by celebrated composer Joe Hisaishi for Studio Ghibli. Featuring music from My Neighbor Totoro, Spirited Away, Howl’s Moving Castle and Kiki’s Delivery Service. The music of Ghibli evokes wonder, nostalgia and adventure! Please note: does not include film projections.
Hell’s Kitchen
• Presented by Dayton Live
• Schuster Center
• Multiple performance options:
—Wed, Jan 27 at 7:30pm
—Fri, Jan 29 at 7:30pm
• Estimated run time: 2:35
• Recommended for ages 8 and older
Welcome to Hell’s Kitchen, the hit musical by Alicia Keys’s life, music and community. 17-year-old Ali is searching for her place in the world. Along the way, you’ll meet the people who help her grow. Hell’s Kitchen is a celebration of finding yourself, your purpose, and the people who lift you up.
A Midsummer Night’s Dream (play)
• Presented by Human Race Theatre Co
• The Loft Theatre
• Wed, Feb 10 at 7:30pm
• Estimated run time: 2:00
• Recommended for ages 10 and older (PG)
In this beachy reimagining of Shakespeare’s beloved romantic comedy, our young lovers flee across the magical moonlit sands. The fairy Puck follows them along the coastline to play tricks and make sure that everything turns out right in the end!
Sparking Joy
• Presented by Dayton Philharmonic Youth Orchestra, Dayton Opera Artists-in-Residence, Dayton Ballet Studio Company & School Ensemble
• Schuster Center
• Sun, Mar 7 at 5:00pm
• Schuster Center
• Estimated run time TBA
• Recommended for ages 7 and older
The Dayton Philharmonic Youth Orchestra is joined by the Ballet School Ensemble, Ballet Studio Company, and Opera Artists in Residence for this multi-disciplinary showcase of joy and collaboration! This concert includes works by Bernstein, Kabalevsky and Saint-Saëns!
Flutopia: Mozart’s Flute Concerto & The Magic Flute
• Presented by Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra & Dayton Opera
• Schuster Center
• Sat, March 13 at 7:30pm (free pre-show presentation & food 6:15pm)
• Estimated run time TBA
• Recommended for ages 7 and older
This concert pairs Mozart’s Flute Concerto with a newly reimagined concert version of The Magic Flute. Flutopia celebrates the musicians’ artistry and the timeless wit of Mozart’s storytelling!
Silent Night
• Presented by Metropolitan Opera: Live in HD
• Regal Fairfield 20 Cinema in Beavercreek
• Sat, Mar 20, 2027 at 1:00pm (pre-show workshop 10:30am at the Metropolitan Arts Center)
• Estimated run time: 2:45
• Recommended for ages 12 and older
The Pulitzer Prize–winning opera, inspired by the true events of the 1914 Christmas truce, when soldiers spontaneously set aside the horrors of the First World War and crossed the trenches to mingle, exchange gifts and sing carols with the enemy. Includes a pre-opera workshop at a school or Muse studio, followed by a live-streamed Met Opera performance at a local movie theater.
Hamilton
• Presented by Dayton Live
• Schuster Center
• Multiple performance options:
—Thu, Apr 1 at 7:30pm
—Sat, Apr 3 at 7:30pm
—Wed, Apr 7 at 7:30pm
—Fri, Apr 9 at 7:30pm
• Estimated run time: 2:45
• Recommended for ages 10 and older. Regarding language content: Many students and families are familiar with the show via streaming on Disney+. Be aware that the show contains three instances of the f-word in lyrics, two of which do not appear in the version on Disney+ (to maintain a PG 13 rating). Muse advisors and the families of students should make informed decisions about whether the show is suitable for particular students.
• Lin-Manuel Miranda’s groundbreaking musical Hamilton is as revolutionary as its subject: the poor kid from the Caribbean who fought the British, defended the Constitution and helped to found the United States. Fusing hip-hop, pop, R&B and the best traditions of theater, this once-in-a-generation show broadens the sound of Broadway, reveals the storytelling power of rap and claims our country’s origins for a diverse new generation.
Beethoven’s Fifth & Copland’s Appalachian Spring
• Presented by Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra & Dayton Ballet
• Schuster Center
• Sat, April 17 at 7:30pm
• Estimated run time TBA
• Recommended for ages 7 and older
Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony comes to life with powerful choreography, transforming the iconic score into a bold and visually striking dance experience. Paired with Copland’s iconic Appalachian Spring, a sweeping portrait of hope and Americana—a dynamic celebration of movement, music and storytelling!
Kinky Boots
• Presented by Dayton Live
• Schuster Center
• Fri, Apr 23 at 7:30pm
• Estimated run time: 2:30
• Recommended for ages 13 and older
Winner of every Best Musical award, including the Tony, Grammy and London’s Olivier Award! Based on true events, follow the journey of an unlikely pair who find that they have more in common than they realized and discover that you change the world when you change your mind.
Fiddler on the Roof
• Presented by LaComedia Dinner Theatre, Springboro
• Sat, Apr 24 (arrive 10:30-11:00am for meal; show ends at approximately 3:15pm.)
• Recommended for ages 8 and older
In a small village of Czarist Russia, a milkman tries to provide a joyful life for his family while protecting them from the dark sentiments spreading across the country. The Tony Award winning musical returns with humor, warmth and honesty. Performance (includes meal) at La Comedia Dinner Theatre, Springboro.
Shucked
• Presented by Dayton Live
• Schuster Center
• Thu, May 6 at 7:30pm
• Estimated run time: 2:15
• Recommended for 10 and older
Maizy and Beau are getting hitched, when the corn that protects their small community starts to die—and the town needs answers! This Broadway hit about an unlikely hero, an unscrupulous con artist and a battle for the heart and soil of a small town is not to be missed.