Announcing the 2025-26 Out-of-School Performances
Check out the offerings below—a diverse collection of the most exciting performances from the best arts organizations in town—with schedule details and brief descriptions. From these options, create a season for your own students and reserve your selections. There are a limited number of tickets available for most shows. Robin will reply to your reservation form to confirm actual ticket availability and numbers.
RESERVE 2025-26 OUT-OF-SCHOOL 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
• Drop date: Dec 9, 2025
• 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
• $22 ($5 ticket opportunity – more info on ticket reservation form!)
• Recommended for ages 7 and up
• Estimated run time: TBA
• Drop date: Sept 9, 2025
• 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
• $47
• Recommended for ages 7 and up
• Estimated run time: TBA
• Drop date: Sept 9, 2025
• 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)
• $17 ($5 ticket opportunity – more info on ticket reservation form!)
• Recommended for ages 8 and up
• Estimated run time: 1:35
• Drop date: Sept 16, 2025
• 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 trivia!
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
• $45 (level D) or $64.50 (level C)
• Recommended for ages 7 and up
• Estimated run time: 2:45
• Drop date: Sept 16, 2025
• 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
• $22
• Recommended for ages 13 and up (the movie is PG-13)
• Estimated run time: 2:15
• Drop date: Sept 23, 2025
• 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
• $17 ($5 ticket opportunity – more info on ticket reservation form!)
• Recommended for ages 12 and up
• Estimated run time: TBA
• Drop date: Sept 30, 2025
• 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
• $22
• Recommended for ages 8 and up
• Estimated run time: 2:00
• Drop date: Oct 7, 2025
• 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)
• $45 (level D) or $64.50 (level C)
• Recommended for ages 8 and up
• Estimated run time: 2:20
• Drop date: Oct 7, 2025
• 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
• $22
• Recommended for ages 6 and up
• Estimated run time: 2:00
• Drop date: Oct 21, 2025
• 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
• $45 (level D) or $64.50 (level C)
• Recommended for ages 6 and up
• Estimated run time: 2:40
• Drop date: Oct 28, 2025
• 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
• Drop date: Nov 4, 2025
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)
• $53 (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.)
• Drop date: Nov 4, 2025
• 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
• $17
• Recommended for ages 5 and up
• Estimated run time: 1:45
• Drop date: Nov 11, 2025
• 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
• $17
• Recommended for ages 12 and up
• Estimated run time: approx 2:00
• Drop date: Nov 11, 2025
• 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
• $17
• Recommended for ages 12 and up
• Estimated run time: TBA
• Drop date: Dec 16, 2025
• 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
• $45 (level D) or $64.50 (level C)
• Recommended for ages 10 and up
• Estimated run time: 2:50
• Drop date: Dec 16, 2025
• 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)
• $17
• Recommended for ages 5 and up
• Estimated run time: TBA
• Drop date: Jan 20, 2026
• 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
• $17
• Recommended for ages 7 and up
• Estimated run time: TBA
• Drop date: Feb 10, 2026
• 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
• $17
• Recommended for ages 7 and up
• Estimated run time: TBA
• Drop date: Feb 10, 2026
• 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)
• $45 (level D) or $64.50 (level C)
• Recommended for ages 10 and up
• Estimated run time: 2:30
• Drop date: Feb 24, 2026
• 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)
• $26
• Recommended for ages 10 and up
• Estimated run time: 2:10
• Drop date: Mar 3, 2026
• 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
• $17
• Recommended for ages 7 and up
• Estimated run time: TBA
• Drop date: Mar 17, 2026
• 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
• $17
• Recommended for ages 7 and up
• Estimated run time: TBA
• Drop date: Mar 24, 2026
• 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
• $45 (level D) or $64.50 (level C)
• Recommended for ages 8 and up
• Estimated run time: 2:30
• Drop date: Mar 31, 2026
• 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
• Drop date: Mar 31, 2026
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
• $17
• Recommended for ages 13 and up
• Estimated run time: TBA
• Drop date: Apr 14, 2026
• 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.
RESERVE 2025-26 OUT-OF-SCHOOL TICKETSMiddle school suggestions
These performances may be good choices for students in middle school (find details above and on the order form):
Muse Machine Musical
An American Portrait: Gershwin, Barber & Beyond
American Soundscapes
Back to the Future: The Musical
Black Violin: Full Circle Tour
Canadian Brass
Eugene Onegin
Giselle
Hay Fever
John Williams & Friends
Les Miserables
The Magic Flute
Mrs. Doubfire: The Musical
The Nutcracker
Opera Star John Holiday
Queens of Soul
Rhythms of Wonder: United by the Beat
Scrooge! The Musical
The Sound of Music
Suffs
The Wiz
Elementary school suggestions
These performances may be good choices for students in elementary school (find details above and on the order form):
Muse Machine Musical
An American Portrait: Gershwin, Barber & Beyond
American Soundscapes
Back to the Future: The Musical
Black Violin: Full Circle Tour
Canadian Brass
Eugene Onegin
Giselle
John Williams & Friends
The Magic Flute
Mrs. Doubfire: The Musical
The Nutcracker
Opera Star John Holiday
Queens of Soul
Rhythms of Wonder: United by the Beat
Scrooge! The Musical
The Sound of Music
Suffs
The Wiz
Performance Etiquette Tips
To prepare your students for out-of-school performances, you are welcome to share Muse’s list of Out-of-School Performance Etiquette Tips with your students and chaperones.
Out-of-School Performance Etiquette TipsThe Metropolitan Opera HD Live in Schools
Muse Machine is the first nonprofit organization in the country to partner with the Metropolitan Opera in NYC for the Met’s HD Live in School program. Students and their advisors can experience a pre-opera workshop at Muse Machine or at their school and then attend a live-streamed Met Opera performance at a local movie theater. From workshops to snacks to tickets, this program is entirely FREE to Muse members and schools!
Any size group of students is welcome to attend this event with an advisor or chaperone. High School students may attend independent of advisor.
The Workshops
Prior to the opera, advisors and students join their peers from other Muse schools to participate in an interactive workshop at their own school or at the Muse Studio. These workshops make the elements of opera and theater accessible and compelling and give students and teachers the opportunity to socialize in a community of Muse Members.
“I felt very well-informed and welcome,” one first-time middle school workshop attendee wrote about her experience.
The Livestreams
Students receive free tickets to attend the livestream of the opera they explored in the workshop, performed live by the Metropolitan Opera, at the Hollywood Stadium 20 cinema at Fairfield Commons. Students liked that the broadcast showed the opera singers “up close” and that the filming including behind-the-scenes footage that “showed how they set up the stage.” Middle school Muse members called their first Live HD in Schools opera experience “beautiful and inspiring” and “amazingly awesome.” One wrote “I liked this so much! You should try it!”
Register your students for a Metropolitan Opera HD Live in Schools workshop and cinema performance – registration coming soon