In-School Performances 2024-25

Find the descriptions and details below. Schedule form includes pricing information and specific available dates.

Kick-Off Performance
YES WE’RE READY

Presented by singer/dramatist/activist Ayanna Gregory

Through songs, affirmations and powerful information about the human capacity for greatness, singer and activist Ayanna Gregory motivates students to start the school year off with confidence and high expectations. In this high-energy and interactive event, she encourages students to chart their own destiny by setting intentions, moving through distractions and embracing their education. And perhaps most importantly, Ayanna inspires students to co-create a culture of love and community. Photo courtesy of Ayanna Gregory.

• Scheduling: Available on selected dates Sept 3-Oct 1, 2024. Please see scheduling form for specific dates.

• Curriculum Connections: Fine Arts: Music; Social and Emotional Learning

• Technical Requirements:
1. An open performance area of no less than 20’ wide by 20’ deep
2. Cleanly swept floors with no nails or protrusions
3. Access to a nearby power outlet
4. Music stand
5. One small table
6. Bottled water
7. Private area to change (restrooms are not adequate for changing)
IMPORTANT: The artist will arrive 30-60 minutes prior to the performance time and will need access to the performance space on arrival.

Yes We’re Ready Performance Guide
Yes We’re Ready Artist Introduction
Yes We’re Ready Evaluation

THE LIFE AND MUSIC OF LOUIS ARMSTRONG

Presented by musicians Rich Begel & Dean Simms

This show includes Rich Begel of the Dayton Philharmonic and Dean Simms, a nationally-touring Louis Armstrong artist. Rich and Dean will share the amazing music made famous by Louis Armstrong with Dean on vocals and trumpet, just like Louis! Between songs, there will be stories about Armstrong’s humble beginnings, his performing career, civil rights activism, racism that he faced and the actions he took against it.

• Scheduling: Available on selected dates Oct 7 – Nov 8, 2024 and Feb 24 – Mar 14, 2025. Please see the scheduling form for specific dates.

• Curriculum Connections: Fine Arts: Theatre and Music; American History

• Technical Requirements:
1. A cleared, well lit 20’ by 20’ performance area
2. One student to help load in and out
3. Sound system with two mics on stands
4. Two music stands
5. Bottled water for two people
6. Two chairs and a small table for props
IMPORTANT: The company will arrive about 25 minutes prior to the performance time and will need access to the performance space on arrival.

Louis Armstrong Performance Guide
Louis Armstrong Artist Introduction
Louis Armstrong Evaluation

THE WRITER’S PEN

Presented by Dayton Contemporary Dance Company

From a writer’s mind to the tip of their pen lies expression from deep within. DCDC expressionists deliver poetry in motion to reflect the modernization of Shakespeare’s sonnets to the poetic verses of rap/hip-hop artists and performance poets’ musical and lyrical spoken word monologues. The writer’s pen gives voice to our history and provides an insightful platform to our commentary on life. Photo courtesy of DCDC.

• Scheduling: Available on selected dates Oct 2024 – May 2025. Please see scheduling form for specific dates.

• Curriculum Connections: Fine Arts: Dance and Music; English Language Arts; American History

• Technical Requirements:
1. An open performance area of no less than 20’ wide by 20’ deep.
2. Cleanly swept floors with no nails or protrusions as the performers are in bare feet
3. The entire stage and backstage areas shall be swept and damp-mopped to remove any debris
4. All stage wing areas need to be cleared of any objects/obstacles
5. If presented on a stage, provide general lighting
6. A small desk or table
7. Two chairs
8. Access to a nearby power outlet
9. A 10-20 foot, three-prong extension cord
10. . A sound system with amplifier and full-range speakers capable of playing a compact disc and iPhone/iPad functionality (please inform Muse Machine if this system is unavailable)
11. Hand-held microphone and mic stand
12. Bottled water (non-carbonated) for 8-10 dancers
13. Provisions made for parking spaces close to the performance area
14. Private area, such as a dressing room or classroom, for dancers to change (restrooms are not adequate for changing)
IMPORTANT: The company will arrive 30-60 minutes prior to the program and will need access to the performance space on arrival.

Writer’s Pen Performance Guide
Writer’s Pen Artist Introduction
Writer’s Pen Evaluation

THE PIRATES OF PENZANCE

Presented by Dayton Opera

In Gilbert and Sullivan’s beloved comedy, the dashing Frederic is apprenticed to a band of pirates until his 21st birthday, which he just celebrated. But with a leap year birthday
on February 29th, is he duty-bound to remain a pirate for another 63 years? And will his sweetheart Mabel wait for him? Add the “very model of a modern Major General” and you have a performance filled with mayhem, humor and fabulous melodies. The Artists-in- Residence of Dayton Opera will perform all eleven (!) roles in this fast-paced 40-minute version of The Pirates of Penzance!

• Scheduling: Available on selected dates Nov 4-22, 2024. Please see scheduling form for specific dates.

• Curriculum Connections: Fine Arts: Theatre and Music; Social Studies

• Technical Requirements:
1. A cleared, well-lit 20’ by 20’ performance space
2. A recently tuned piano and bench or a full-size, 88 key electronic keyboard on a stand with a chair
3. A microphone on a stand
4. Access to a nearby power outlet
5. Room-temperature bottled water for five
6. A microphone for Q & A
7. Private area, such as a dressing room or classroom, for artists to change within close proximity to the stage (restrooms are not adequate for changing)
8. Access to restroom
9. Load-in door close to performance area, accessible to roll cart/equipment
IMPORTANT: The company will arrive 30-40 minutes prior to the program and will need access to the performance space on arrival.

Pirates Of Penzance Performance Guide
Pirates Of Penzance Artist Introduction
Pirates Of Penzance Evaluation

MACBETH

Presented by Cincinnati Shakespeare Company

In this chilling adaptation of Shakespeare’s darkest tragedy, the power-hungry Macbeth encounters supernatural forces and a prophetic destiny. Macbeth’s quest for the throne becomes a wickedly entertaining escapade filled with ghostly encounters, mischievous schemes and a dash of otherworldly mischief. Whispers of prophecies come to life, plunging the characters into a realm of mayhem where loyalties crumble and the line between reality and the supernatural blurs. Brace yourself for a journey into the heart of darkness!

• Scheduling: Available on selected dates Oct 2024 and March – May 2025. Please see scheduling form for specific dates.

• Curriculum Connections: English Language Arts: Literature; Fine Arts: Theatre and Music

• Technical Requirements:
1. A cleared, well lit 20’ by 20’ performance space
2. Two students to help load in and out
IMPORTANT: The performers will arrive 60 minutes prior to the program and will need access to the performance space on arrival.

Previous In-School Performances Archive

In-School Performances 2023-24

In-School Performances 2022-23

Performance Space Survey

Advisors: You may have already been asked to respond to a very brief, multiple choice survey about the space where your in-school performances occur. If you have not already taken that survey, you may do so below. We are adding exciting elements to the in-school performances and this information will be tremendously helpful for our new shows – thank you!

The last question will direct you to a particular worksheet. This will be an interesting task for two reliable students with a sizable tape measure and they can complete it in approximately a class period. Use the links below to open and print the worksheet as suggested by your survey. After your students complete the worksheet, you (or they) may conveniently submit measurements below.