Act One School Series

Tickets $1
November 10, 2026, 10:00am
Grades: 6-12
Cobb Great Hall

Manual Cinema’s The 4th Witch is a fantastic new tale, inspired by elements of Shakespeare’s Macbeth, in which a girl escapes war and flees into a dark forest. Told through shadow puppetry, actors in silhouette, and live music, The 4th Witch begins on the eve of an invasion of a small town by the local warlord, Macbeth. The girl flees and escapes into the nearby forest, where she is rescued by a witch, who adopts her as an apprentice. As she becomes more skilled in witchcraft, her grief draws her into a quest against the warlord Macbeth.

The 4th Witch explores themes of grief, war, and generational conflict through the collateral damage left behind on the battleground. Manual Cinema combines handmade shadow puppetry, cinematic techniques, and innovative sound and music to create immersive stories.

Educational areas: English/Language Arts, History, Theatre and Performance, Visual Design and Arts

Tickets $1
November 16, 2026, 9:45am (waitlist) and 12:30pm (waitlist)
Grades: Pre-K-3
Pasant Theatre

The dance and theatrical adaptation of the #1 New York Times bestseller, What Do You Do With a Problem?, is a powerful story for all ages about a child facing a persistent problem. At first, the problem feels overwhelming, growing larger the more it’s ignored. But when the child bravely confronts it, the problem reveals unexpected possibilities. This moving production invites audiences to see challenges in a new light—reminding us that within every problem may lie a hidden opportunity … and a chance to discover something meaningful about ourselves.

Educational areas: Dance and movement, Reading, Creative Writing, Emotional/Social Development, Creativity

Tickets $1
February 2, 2027, 11am
Grades: 5-12
Cobb Great Hall

Berlin Philharmonic Brass is one of the longest-standing ensembles to have emerged from arguably the greatest orchestra in the world, the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra. Its twelve virtuoso brass players bring this ensemble’s distinctive sound and tradition to dynamic chamber music performances in Germany and throughout the world.

Educational areas: Social/Cultural Studies, Music, History

Tickets $1

February 4, 2027,  9:45am (waitlist) & 12:30pm

February 5, 2027, 9:45am (waitlist) & 12:30pm
Grades: 4-12
Pasant Theatre

Pigfoot Mary, secretly wealthy from her popular food stand, dreams of California’s skies and awaits news on a property sale that could mark her departure from Harlem. But leaving isn’t easy— her world includes Hot Fingers the Piano Player, The Garveyite, Zora Neale Hurston, and the famous Langston Hughes. Is her legacy in the food and friendships she’s built or in following a new dream?

Inspired by Lillian Harris Dean, one of Harlem's most successful early entrepreneurs in the 1920s, this lively two-actor play bursts with jazz, vibrant characters, and dances of the Harlem Renaissance.

Educational areas: History, Social and Cultural Studies, Language Arts, Fine Arts

Tickets $1
February 9, 2027, 10am (waitlist)
Grades: 7-12
Passant Theatre

A rapturous, fresh take on one of William Shakespeare’s most popular and widely performed plays, The Acting Company’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream is a captivating, coming-of-age story that will surprise and delight! In this fast-paced, crowd-pleasing comedy, a pair of young lovers flee to an enchanted forest where a troupe of amateur actors rehearse a play. With the help of a mystical flower, the fairy king, and queen’s mischievous servant, Puck, creates chaos for these unsuspecting humans, leading to mistaken identities, romantic entanglements, and comical transformations. Bursting with mirth, music, magic, and mayhem, this uplifting tale of illusion and love comes to life with an electric cast.

Educational areas: English/Language Arts, History, Theatre and Performing Arts

Tickets $1
February 10, 2027, 9:45am (waitlist) & 12:30pm (waitlist)
February 11, 2027, 9:45am (waitlist) & 12:30pm (waitlist)
Grades: pre K-3
Pasant Theatre

Mermaid Theatre of Nova Scotia’s newest production, Three Little Pigs and Other Tales, presents a fresh and engaging reimagining of three cherished children’s stories—Goldilocks and the Three Bears, The Three Little Pigs, and Billy Goats Gruff. Filled with adventure, humor, and heroism, the story follows a brave raccoon and a clever mouse who are on a journey to collect treasure. Along the way, they unknowingly help the goats, bears, and pigs, preventing disaster—without any of the animals ever encountering a true villain. This imaginative retelling seamlessly interweaves three classic tales into a heartwarming adventure that celebrates friendship and courage.

Educational areas: Language Arts, Music, Dance and Movement, Emotional/Social Development

Tickets $1
February 16, 2027, 10am
Grades: 4-12
Cobb Great Hall

One of America’s most celebrated and treasured dance companies, Dance Theatre of Harlem features an exhilarating mixed repertory program of classics and contemporary work that embodies founder Arthur Mitchell’s belief that ballet belongs to everyone. Now in its fifth decade, Dance Theatre of Harlem has grown into a dance institution with an extraordinary legacy of providing opportunities for creative expression and artistic excellence that continues to set standards in the performing arts.

Educational areas: Social/cultural studies, Dance and Movement, Theatre and Performing Arts

Tickets $1
March 2, 2027, 10am
Grades: 4-12
Cobb Great Hall

For over seven decades, Amalia Hernández's Ballet Folklórico de México has positioned itself as the most emblematic folk dance ensemble in Mexico and around the world. The Ballet brings together music, dance, and costumes of Mexican folklore from pre-Columbian civilizations to the modern era.

Educational areas: Social/cultural studies, history, dance, music

This performance is full with a waitlist available.

Tickets $1
March 16, 2027, 10:00am (waitlist)
Grades: 2-12
Cobb Great Hall

YAMATO drummers return to East Lansing by popular demand after a nearly 10-year absence. Their acclaimed performances of Japanese Taiko drumming and music have captivated audiences of millions in 53 countries around the world. The drummers challenge and push to their absolute limits in a staggering display of physical strength as they use their entire bodies to produce thunderous music. Yamato will leave audiences exhilarated by this visually spectacular, high-energy, and explosive show.

Educational areas: Social/cultural studies, history, physical education and movement, theatre, music

Tickets $1

May 3, 2027, 9:45am (waitlist) & 12:30pm

May 4, 2027, 9:45am (waitlist) & 12:30pm (waitlist)

Grades: Pre K-3
Pasant Theatre

This beautiful, warming, wintery tale brings the story of a bother of a boy, a mithered mother, and a grand old brass band of a granddad. All set in the village of knitters with fingers flicking, needles clicking, and where every new Christmas jumper tells a tale!

Inspired by Aesop’s beloved fable, this wonderful tale has a gifted ensemble of actor musicians who play the endearing characters, the hilarious sheep and perhaps a wolf or two!

Educational areas: Language Arts, Music, Dance and Movement, Science, Emotional/Social Development