Donors Witness the Magic as It Happens at School Shows

Imagine a line of school buses emptying 1,600 wiggly, excited students in front of the LBC. Watch in awe as teachers and volunteers deftly wrangle them into the lobby and then to the Ruth Finely Person Theater – accounting for every single one. Imagine yourself sneaking in among them and watching as every seat fills with gleeful anticipation. Then, the lights go down. The stage lights come up. And suddenly, the theater erupts in shrieks of surprise and delight as a cast of larger-than-life characters in cartoon costumes transforms the stage and transports the children to a world of discovery and fun beyond belief. Can you imagine a more stirring experience?

Several generous donors witnessed the magic as it happened last November, when they saw the impact of their gift first-hand as special guests at the matinee School Show, Leonardo! A Wonderful Show About a Terrible Monster.

On a chilly winter morning, 11 donors gathered for coffee and pastries before the students arrived. While most knew what School Shows are, like most of our donors, none of them had attended one. They learned more when Director of Education and Community Engagement Ashleigh Worley introduced them to the supplemental teaching materials available to educators to support their students’ experience in the theater and the classroom.

LBC’s daytime performances for school groups make the magic of live performance available to students throughout the North Bay. School Shows highlight a wide-range of genres and cultural experiences, from traditional dance and drama to a variety of music—world, contemporary, and classical. School Shows are available for Transitional Kindergarten (TK) through 12th grade, and all the performances align with and support state-mandated curriculum in all core subjects. Reduced ticket prices and scholarships make sure live theater enriches the educational experience for all children in our community.

If you are interested in seeing a School Show yourself, or have any questions about this or other programs, please contact Sorelle Levy, Associate Director of Philanthropy and Legacy Giving, at slevy@lutherburbankcetner.org or 707.800.7531.