School-day-tailored Main Stage shows, lesson plans and more
All TGS educational programming supports NJ and National core-curriculum guidelines and standards.
Field Trip Matinees
Field trips feature main stage productions that have been tailored to meet the tight constraints of a school day. A post-show Q&A session with the professional artistic team and activity guides will be provided for your students.
Cinderella:
A Salsa Fairy Tale
Dates: Feb. 9-20
Recommended grades 2-6
Book & Lyrics by Karen Zacarias
Music by Deborah Wicks La Puma
What happens to Cinderella at the ball…game? This classic fairy tale gets a modern makeover as a bouncy, bilingual musical. In this retelling, the tale is turned on its head, telling the story from both Cinderella and the “stepsister’s” perspective. Sweet Cenicienta, a.k.a. Cinderella, is from Puerto Rico and speaks only Spanish. Rosa, her “stepsister” from the States and the coolest, most self-centered basketball player in school, speaks only English—and she’s making things extra difficult for Cinderella. Who will Coach Prince choose to play in the Super Dooper Eastern Western Division Basketball Game? Will these two girls be able to reach an understanding at the (basket) ball game? With a fairy godfather and other delightful twists to the original story, Cinderella: A Salsa Fairy Tale crosses language and gender barriers, weaving a subtle lesson on empathy, sportsmanship, and respect. This salsa and hip-hop filled musical will have boys and girls cheering in their seats!
Recommended Grades: 2-6
Running Time: Approximately 60 minutes
Mesmerized: A Ben Franklin Science and History Mystery
Dates: March 9-27
Recommended grades 3-8
Adapted for the stage by Suzanne Maynard Miller
Based on the book Mesmerized: How Ben Franklin Solved a Mystery that Baffled All of France by Mara Rockliff
Running Time: Approximately 60 minutes
Nate the Great Musical
Dates: May 4-21
Recommended grades Pre-K – 4
Book & Lyrics by John Maclay
Music & Lyrics by Brett Ryback
Based on the book by Marjorie Sharmat
Nate the Great is on the case! The world’s greatest boy detective, awakes, hoping that this day will bring a new case. He gets a call from his good friend Annie alerting him that her new painting of her dog Fang is missing! Nate rushes over to her house to investigate. For the first time in his career, he is stumped. And worse yet, Mom is all out of pancakes. To solve this case, he is going to need to learn to think in new ways and rely on the help of his friends. Nate the Great is a funny, sweet, rollicking good time that celebrates art, friendship, creative thinking, and of course, pancakes. Based on the book by Marjorie Sharmat
Running Time: Approximately 60 minutes
Touring & Resident Company
Beyond our Main Stage Matinees, The Growing Stage offers unique resources for educational enrichment through our touring and resident companies.
Fulfilling our mission of nurturing the performing arts through education, we have had the privilege of performing for schools throughout New Jersey.
In addition, The Growing Stage is on the New Jersey State Council on the Arts approved roster of Artist Residency Companies.
