LessonPLAN (Performing Live Arts Now) Education Series brings students to the Tower Theatre and performers into schools. Since the program began in 2011, over 66,000 young learners have experienced the transformative power of the arts. Inspire your students’ 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
Upcoming LessonPLAN Events
Music and Mindfulness with Paula Dreyer
August 26, 2026: Boys and Girls Club
November 12, 2026: In-School Matinee
March 11, 2027: In-School Matinee
April 8, 2027: In-School Matinee
Times TBD with host schools
Music and Mindfulness offers a unique and immersive experience for children to explore the power of creativity through live piano music. Led by professional pianist Paula Dreyer, the sessions combine beautiful music with contemplative activities, fostering a sense of relaxation and connection. During the sessions, students engage in various activities, including gentle movement, walking meditation, and imaginative storylines. They also contribute to the creative process by suggesting titles and learning traditional concert etiquette. The use of wireless headphones ensures a deep and meaningful musical experience, while still fostering a shared sense of connection among the students.
*Curriculum Connections: Poetry, Poets and Becoming Writers, Overcoming Learning Challengers
*Appropriate for grades K-5
TAIKOPROJECT
Tower Theatre Matinee, 10:00 AM
TAIKOPROJECT's powerful drumming unites ancient Japanese tradition with 21st century American innovation to create a riot of movement and thundering rhythm. It's been called a tsunami of sound, but this highly charged ensemble is so much more. This show will ignite all your senses with a spellbinding mix of music, theater and precision. Utilizing authentic instruments hand-crafted in Japan, the performers weave traditional and modern forms of taiko together and share elements of their Japanese and Japanese-American culture. The group received international acclaim when they became the first American ensemble to win the prestigious Tokyo International Taiko Contest.
*Curriculum Connections: Music, Rhythm and Percussion, Storytelling, Japanese and Japanese-American Culture and History.
*Recommended for grades K-12
Ballet Bend presents PRISM with Tentacle Tribe
Tower Theatre Matinee, 10:00 AM
In Ballet Bend's debut season of presenting the best dance from across the continent, this October they bring the acclaimed contemporary dance company, Tentacle Tribe to perform the American premiere of their critically acclaimed piece, PRISM. Originally from Montreal Canada, Tentacle Tribe features 5 dancers specializing in a fusion of dance styles ranging from contemporary, break, modern, and popping.
PRISM is a one-of-a-kind performance that places their dancers among a mirrored set including two moveable mirrored walls and a mirrored floor. The changing orientation of these set pieces combined with the dancers' athletic partnering and dance styles makes for an awe-inspiring - and sometimes gravity defying - sensory experience!
*Curriculum Connections: Dance, Theatre, Connection/Collaboration, Music
*Appropriate for grades K-12
Uncle Jumbo
October 26, 2026: In-School Matinee, 10:00 AM
October 27, 2026: In-School Matinee, 10:00 AM
Grammy-nominee Uncle Jumbo layers heartfelt lyrics and messages of positivity that inspire young minds to dream big and chase their passions. His family concerts and student matinee performances include hits from his Taste the Sky and Garden Groove albums, with uplifting songs and dance-alongs that focus on joy, connection, kindness and wellbeing.
*Curriculum Connections:
Fine Arts: Performance, Music & Composition, Soul, Reggae, Hip Hop
Science: Gardens, Bugs, Trees, How things grow
Emotional/Social Development: Self Awareness, Self Management, Identifying Emotions, Empathy, Courage, Curiosity, Respect for Others, Perspective-Taking, Relationship Skills, Social Engagement, Relationship-building, Family, Teamwork
*Recommended for grades K-5
Winning Her Wings–Living Voices
In-School Matinees: 10:00 AM and 1:00 PM
Birdie, a Jewish pilot, joins the groundbreaking Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASPs). Serving alongside Hazel Ah Ying Lee, one of only two Chinese American WASPs, she navigates racism, sexism, and patriotism to contribute to the war effort.
*Curriculum Connections: World War II, Civil Rights, US History, Civics/Government, Women’s History, Ethnic Studies, African American Studies, World History, Literature, Theatre/Drama, Media/Television/Film
*Recommended for grades 4-12
John Breen
In-School Matinee
Time TBD with host school
Jump into fast, fun improv games where students think on their feet, take creative risks, and build real confidence—together. John Breen is a professional actor, director, and coach (Portlandia, Conan). He’s helped thousands of students become more confident, creative, and comfortable being themselves. This workshop strengthens confidence, communication, creativity, and connection—skills that carry into school, friendships, and life. Students learn to take risks, recover quickly, and support each other in a positive, high-energy environment. We move. We play. We laugh. They grow. No experience needed. No judgment.
Students will learn how to:
• Speak up with confidence
• Stay present under pressure
• Listen and support others
• Work as a team
• Trust their ideas
*Curriculum Connections: Communication, Self-Management Collaboration, Teamwork, Creative Thinking
*Recommended for grades 3-12
Jake Shimabukuro
Tower Theatre Matinee, 10:00 AM
Jake Shimabukuro is a world-renowned ukulele virtuoso whose groundbreaking artistry has redefined the instrument for the 21st century. Jake has captivated audiences across the globe with his masterful technique, innovative spirit, and deeply expressive performances that seamlessly blend elements of jazz, rock, classical, blues, folk, and traditional Hawaiian music.
Born and raised in Honolulu, Hawai‘i, Jake began playing the ukulele at age four, quickly developing a unique style that pushed the instrument far beyond its traditional boundaries. Beyond the stage, Jake is a passionate advocate for music education and community outreach, frequently performing at schools and benefit concerts to inspire the next generation of musicians.
*Curriculum Connections: Oregon Music Standards
*Recommended for grades K-12
Dennis McGregor and Beth Wood
January 12, 2027
February 23, 2027
May 4, 2027
In-School Matinee
Time TBD with host school
Dennis McGregor is a local (Sisters, Oregon) author, illustrator, designer, songwriter, and musician. He will be performing his books and music in three local schools throughout the season with his partner, Beth Wood. Beth has been writing, performing, teaching, and creating for over twenty-five years — delighting and inspiring audiences with her exceptional musicianship, intelligent writing, powerhouse voice, and warm and commanding stage presence.
*Curriculum Connections: Literature, theatre, music, visual arts
*Recommended for grades K-3
Chris Thomas
January 21, 2027
February 18, 2027
In-School Matinee
Time TBD with host school
Lights, camera... music! Join composer and musician Chris Thomas for an exciting behind-the-scenes look at the music that brings movies and video games to life. Students will discover how composers use melody, rhythm, and emotion to tell stories, build suspense, create unforgettable characters, and make every adventure more memorable.
Chris Thomas is a versatile composer renowned for his contributions to film, television, theme parks, and video games, as well as being a distinguished TEDX speaker. With a notable repertoire spanning across various media, Chris has left an indelible mark in the entertainment industry.
*Curriculum Connections
Analyzing how music communicates meaning and emotion in multimedia works.
Connecting artistic choices to storytelling techniques across disciplines.
Developing critical listening and media literacy by evaluating how music shapes audience experiences.
Understanding careers in the creative arts, including composing for film, television, and video games.
Strengthening communication and creative thinking through discussion, interpretation, and artistic reflection.
*Recommended for grades 4-12
Lightwire: The Tortoise and The Hare
Tower Theatre Matinee, 10:00 AM
The story begins with Aesop’s classic fable of The Tortoise and The Hare where the “slow and steady” Tortoise defeats the nimble but overconfident Hare. For those who ever wondered what happened after the Race, Lightwire Theater continues the story which finds the two opponents 10 years down the road, now with children of their own and exploring modern day distractions. Smart phones and video games create a new landscape of lost connections to life experiences. The Next Gen features Tortoise Junior and Lil’ Hare in a whole new kind of race, where their adventures lead them into unexpected territory. Old man Tortoise and Big Daddy Hare must come together despite their differences to find and save their children. What hurdles will they have to overcome to make it to the finish line? With dazzling visuals, poignant storytelling, and creative use of music from classical to pop, this production brings this classic tale into a brilliant new light.
*Curriculum Connections: Fables, Traditional Literature, Collaboration, Theatre Arts, Social and Emotional Learning, Dance and Movement, Science, Communication
*Recommended for grades K-12
DLUX Puppets: Peter Pan
Two Tower Theatre Matinees
10:00 AM and 12:30 PM
DLUX Puppets presents a fun new multimedia adaptation of Peter Pan! Using state of the art digitally projected scenery, high-quality life-sized puppetry, actors, and popular songs from the 50s, 60s, 70s, and 80s, DLUX Puppets’ adaptation will teach children the power of their choices and to place attention on what they want to create in their life. In this visually engaging production, all of the characters Wendy meets from Neverland are intricately engineered life size puppets, hand built, performed and voiced by DLUX Puppets’ founder Derek Lux. Wendy is played by his wife, Lauren Lux, DLUX Puppets’ Education Director and active elementary school teacher who developed a performance activity kit for students who attend the show.
*Curriculum Connections: Social-Emotional Learning, Cross-Curricular Connections, Literature, Creative Writing, Art & Design
*Recommended for grades K-5
Alex Zerbe, The Zaniac
Tower Theatre Matinee, 10:00 AM
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
Living Voices: Our Revolution
Two In-School Matinees
Time TBD with host school
Experience the Revolutionary War, the founding of the United States and the concept of "all men are created equal" from the unique point of view of a free Black colonist. In 1775, Peter and his father enlist in the Concord patriot militia during the colonial rebellion. While his brother joins the Loyalists serving the British, Peter chooses to fight for freedom for himself and his land, participating in the birth of a new country and a new people: the first generation of African Americans.
*Curriculum Connections: American Revolution, Civil Rights, US History, Civics/Government, Ethnic Studies, African American Studies, Literature, Theatre/Drama, Media/Television/Film
*Recommended for grades 4-12
Reservations
Pricing:
Non-Title 1 Schools: Tower matinee: $6 per student; $10 per chaperone. In-school performance: $3 per student; Teachers in school free
Title 1 Schools: Tower matinee: $5 per student; $10 per chaperone. In-school performance: $2.50 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.
Registration opens August 24 at 10:00 AM!
For more information contact:
Becca Swain
Email: beccas@towertheatre.org
Education Manager
LessonPLAN Sponsors
Additional Support
