LessonPLAN (Performing Live Arts Now) Education Series bring students to the Tower Theatre and performers into schools. Inspire your student’s creativity and enhance your teaching tools by attending one of the LessonPLAN education performances, or host one of our performances at your school for an in-school assembly!
“The students were thoroughly engaged in the performance, and loved the interaction that kept them involved. We were so glad to be a part of this WONDERFUL experience!!”
4th Grade Teacher – Cascade Academy
Tower Tours & Talks
Are you looking for other ways to get arts education into your classroom? Check out these additional FREE LessonPLAN offerings that are great additions to any curriculum.
Tower Tours
Step into the spotlight! Take your class on a FREE behind-the-scenes tour of the iconic Tower Theatre in downtown Bend. Explore the stage, the backstage secrets, and our green room while discovering fun facts and history. We may even have time for our theatre ghost stories…if you dare! This field trip is very popular with schools, summer camps, and community groups.
Tower Talks
Get ready for a fun, interactive journey into the world of theatre! Our dynamic Education Manager (a former teacher with serious classroom skills) brings the magic of the Tower Theatre straight to your school! Learn theatre history, cool vocab, and even have your students dive into improv! Whether you're planning a visit to the Tower or not, this is the perfect add-on for any community helper or jobs in my community curriculum.
Ready to book? Email Becca at: beccas@towertheatre.org
Upcoming LessonPLAN Events
Jazzy Ash
SOLD OUT!
Ashli St. Armant aka Jazzy Ash is a celebrated vocalist, author, composer, and arts educator. She’s a talented and prolific songwriter as well as a musical treasure hunter, highlighting traditional songs, rhythms and rhymes that have been handed down by African-American children, adults, and musicians for generations.
*Curriculum connections: Critical thinking, historical and global connections, music, storytelling, and dance.
*Recommended for grades K-5
*Tech requirements: PA System, 2 speakers and a mixer with at least 5 channels (Fender Passport or similar) - preferably with the ability to pan left and right, but not necessary, 1 Music Stand, 1 Additional Vocal Mic with boom stands (for pianist), 2 wedge monitors, and 1 instrument stand for ukulele
Cost: $3 per student in school; Teachers in school free
Dennis McGregor
February 19, 2026
March 17, 2026
April 2, 2026
May 5, 2026
Dennis is a local (Sisters Oregon) author, illustrator, designer, songwriter and musician. He will be performing his books and music in 5 local schools throughout the season.
*Five in-school performances available
*Curriculum Connections: Literature, theatre, music, visual arts
*Recommended for grades K-3
Cost: $3 per student in school; Teachers in school free
Living Voices Fly for Freedom
HOME FRONT/WAR FRONT: a new historical multimedia program featuring the little-known stories and contributions of working women in the World War II aeronautics industry, amplifying the experiences of Black women through the Rosie the Riveters who built planes in Boeing’s factories, the Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASPs), the Tuskegee Airmen, and the Double Victory campaign. Using our unique blend of live theatre and archival film, Living Voices brings life to lesser-known histories.
*Two in-school performances available
*Curriculum Connections: World War II, civil rights, US history, civics/government, African American studies, women’s history, world history, literature, theatre / drama, media / television – film
*Recommended for grades 4-12
*Tech requirements: Projector, screen, stool
Cost: $3 per student in school; Teachers in school free
Peking Acrobats
SOLD OUT!
The Chinese Acrobats perform daring maneuvers atop a precarious pagoda of chairs; they are experts at trick-cycling, precision tumbling, somersaulting, and gymnastics. They defy gravity with amazing displays of contortion, flexibility, and control. They push the envelope of human possibility with astonishing juggling dexterity and incredible balancing feats, showcasing tremendous skill and ability. They are masters of agility and grace. Often accompanied by live musicians skillfully playing traditional Chinese instruments and high-tech special effects that coalesce with the music and awe-inspiring feats to create an exuberant entertainment event featuring all the excitement and festive pageantry of a Chinese Carnival!
*Curriculum Connections: Cultural studies, cultural expression, Chinese culture, world music, geography, teamwork and trust, movement and coordination, forces and motion, physics and balance
*Recommended for grades K-12
Cost: $6 per student at the Tower; $10 per chaperone
International Guitar Night
International Guitar Night is the world’s premier touring guitar festival, each show bringing together the most interesting and innovative acoustic guitarists to exchange musical ideas in a public concert setting.
*One Tower Theatre Matinee: 10:00 AM
*Curriculum Connections: Music education, music theory and history, exploring world cultures, critical listening
*Recommended for grades 6-12
Cost: $6 per student at the Tower; $10 per chaperone
The Moanin’ Frogs
The Moanin’ Frogs present first-rate musical performances, entertainment, and education to diverse audiences by showcasing the dynamic and stylistic versatility of the saxophone.
*One Tower Theatre Matinee: 10:00 AM
*Curriculum Connections: Active listening, collaboration and teamwork, music exploration, generate and conceptualize artistic ideas.
*Recommended for grades K-8
Cost: $6 per student at the Tower; $10 per chaperone
Artrageous
SOLD OUT!
Imagine being transported to a realm where every stroke of the brush is a heartbeat, every note is a pulse, and every move is a masterpiece. With a history of incredible collaborations, from Harrison Ford to the NBA All-Stars, from Sir Richard Branson to Blue Man Group, from Cirque du Soleil to the Oscar's After Party, Artrageous has graced prestigious venues, captivating audiences worldwide.
*Curriculum Connections: Fine arts, visual & performing arts, theatre arts, community values, teamwork, public speaking, movement, diversity and inclusion
*Recommended for grades K-12
Cost: $6 per student at the Tower; $10 per chaperone
Wind in the Willows
SOLD OUT!
Journey into the Wild Wood on this multi-media adventure based on Kenneth Grahame's beloved children's novel. Wind in the Willows mixes classic storytelling with projected illustrations to tell the trials of Mole and Rat on an all-night race against time as they venture through the hidden wonders of the forest to find the young Otter before it's too late.
*Curriculum Connections: Fine arts, performance & technology, language arts, reading, comprehension, writing, vocabulary, science, animals & the environment, emotional/social development
*Recommended for grades 3-6
Cost: $6 per student at the Tower; $10 per chaperone
Alex Zerbe, The Zaniac
SOLD OUT!
With the energy of ten thousand suns, The Zaniac shines like a comedy beacon as he bounces from one end of the stage to the other like an untamed rubber band. Jaws will drop, and eyes will pop as Alex juggles bowling balls, flaming torches and slices vegetables in half with a flying playing card.
*Curriculum Connections: Forces of motion, scientific method, engineering & technology, science, physics
*Recommended for grades K-5
Cost: $3 per student in school; Teachers in school free
Living Voices Island of Hope
SOLD OUT!
Discover life at Ellis Island during its busiest years, and the fears and dreams of every immigrant, through one determined young girl’s journey to America.
In the early 1900s, Leah and her family escape persecution as Jews in Russia and sail to a new life in the new world. But when Leah alone is detained at Ellis Island, she confronts her biggest obstacle yet: what if she is sent back?
*Curriculum Connections: Immigration, World history, US history, literature, theatre / drama, media / television, ethnic studies
*Recommended for grades 3-12
*Tech requirements: Projector, screen, stool
Cost: $3 per student in school; Teachers in school free
Sprout Film Festival
The Sprout Film Festival’s mission is to inspire audiences, promote inclusion and support transformative filmmaking as an important part of social change. This unique event, which focuses exclusively on films that celebrate the diverse lives and creativity of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD), strives to challenge assumptions and breakdown stereotypes. By introducing thought-provoking, powerful films to inclusive audiences, we hope to promote acceptance, celebrate differences and shine some light to help make the invisible, visible.
One Tower Matinee at 10:00 AM and multiple in-school options available throughout the school year. Please send a separate email to beccas@towertheatre.org if you are interested in an in school option.
Cost: $3 per person
360 AllStars
A non-stop energy packed urban circus complete with dancing, beat boxing, acrobatics, BMX biking and more, 360 ALL-STARS is a spectacular fusion of the extraordinary artistry that emerges from street culture. Boasting a stellar international cast of World Champion and World Record-holding athletes and artists, the show has had sold out runs on Broadway, Sydney Opera House and the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Seen by over one million people worldwide 360 ALL-STARS entertains audiences of all ages! Each performer also offers workshops and demonstrations to young people showing them the limitless possibilities of the future.
*Two Tower Theatre matinees: 10:00 AM and 12:30 PM
*Curriculum Connections: Physical health, music and rhythm, storytelling, creative writing, problem solving, collaboration and teamwork
*Recommended for grades 2-12
*Please note: Loud music, haze, and flashing lights
Cost: $6 per student at the Tower; $10 per chaperone
Reservations
Pricing:
Tower matinee: $6 per student; $10 per chaperone
In-school performance: $3 per student; Teachers in school free
Payments:
Payments for LessonPLAN education performances may be made by cash, check, credit card, or school district purchase order.
For more information contact:
Becca Swain
Email:
Education Manager
LessonPLAN Sponsors
Additional Support
