Curtains Up For Kids
Nearly 10,000 students visit the Basie Center every year as part of its Curtains Up for Kids SCHOOL SHOW program — and for many, it’s their only opportunity to experience live performing arts. From larger than life puppetry, to the celebrations of other cultures and traditions or watching a community partner produce a full onstage musical or ballet, the Basie Center inspires students to dream forward through culture and artistic expression.
To register for tickets for a SCHOOL SHOW performance please CLICK HERE
WHAT TO EXPECT:
- A live performance at the Count Basie Center for the Arts in one of our venues: The Hackensack Meridian Health Theatre or The Vogel.
- Teacher study guides with pre and post-show activities are provided before the performance to maximize learning in the classroom and gain a deeper appreciation for the school show itself.
TICKET PRICING:
- $10 each – Education Groups of 10 or more students (ages 4+)
- $12 each – Individual Sales for Groups of 9 or less
- One complimentary chaperone ticket for each 10 student tickets purchased.
Financial assistance is available. Please fill out our reservation form for more information.
The Basie Center is very grateful to the Monmouth County Board of County Commissioners, New Jersey State Council on the Arts, Mary Owen Borden Foundation and HFO Foundation.
Applicants will receive an email confirmation within two weeks of your reservation. In the event you do not receive a confirmation, email education@thebasie.org.
UPCOMING 2026-27 SCHOOL SHOWS
Performances have grade recommendations listed beneath each title, however teachers and administrators are encouraged to research and ask questions before booking to ensure content is age appropriate. School Shows are designed to be approximately one hour long (*some exceptions apply.)
THE ADVENTURES OF THE TORTOISE AND THE HARE
Presented by Lightwire Theater
IN-PERSON PERFORMANCE: Tues. Oct. 27th 2026 @ 10:30AM**
Recommended for grades: K-4
LOCATION: Hackensack Meridian Health Theatre
Lightwire Theater brings Aesop’s classic fable to life then continues the story finding the Tortoise and Hare 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. What hurdles will they have to overcome to make it to the finish line?
With dazzling visuals, poignant storytelling and the creative use of music from classical to pop, this production brings this tale into a new brilliant light.
**Please note, this performance is not sensory friendly and contains loud music in a dark setting.
• Storytelling through Puppetry
• Music
• Humility vs. Overconfidence
• Determination
THE NUTCRACKER
~ Back by popular demand! ~
Presented by The Company of Dance Arts
IN-PERSON PERFORMANCE: Thu. Dec. 10th 2026 @ 10:30AM*
Recommended for grades: 2-12
LOCATION: Hackensack Meridian Health Theatre
Experience Tchaikovsky’s THE NUTCRACKER as brought to life by the Company of Dance Arts, New Jersey’s premiere pre-professional ballet company. Join Clara as she journeys through the Land of Snow and the Kingdom of Sweets to meet the Sugar Plum Fairy in this magical performance.
*Please note, this performance is 90 minutes long.
• Dance
• Storytelling
• Music
• Cultural Traditions + Celebration
LIVE YOUR LEGACY
A Hip-Hop Journey Through the Lives of Icons + the Power of Purpose
Presented by Shaun Boothe and the Unauthorized Biography Series
IN-PERSON PERFORMANCE: Tue. Feb. 23rd 2027 @ 10:30AM
Recommended for grades: 5-12
LOCATION: Hackensack Meridian Health Theatre
Live Your Legacy is a customizable presentation series that celebrates the world’s most inspiring changemakers through hip-hop, storytelling, and multimedia performance.
This powerful edition celebrates the achievements and enduring impact of Black changemakers who shaped history through courage, conviction, and purpose.
Live Your Legacy: Black History Month Edition is more than a tribute. It is a reminder that the pursuit of equality, empowerment, and unity is a legacy we all share.
• Black History Month
• Hip-Hop
• Storytelling
• Empowerment
THE GIVER
Presented by Literature to Life
By Lois Lowry
Directed and Adapted by Elise Thoron
IN-PERSON PERFORMANCE: Mon. Mar. 1st 2027 @ 10:30AM*
Recommended for grades: 8-12
LOCATION: Hackensack Meridian Health Theatre
In this solo performance, actor Aurea Tomeski portrays the relationship between young Jonas and his mentor, The Giver. As Jonas trains to become the new Receiver of Memories, the buried truth about the world that he was born into becomes hauntingly clear to both Jonas and the audience. This adaptation challenges audiences to question every value that they have taken for granted and reexamine their most deeply held beliefs.
Each performance is accompanied by pre- and post-show discussion that encourages audiences of all ages to engage in self-reflection and discovery.
*Please note, this performance is approximately 90 minutes long.
• Storytelling
• Literature
• Dystopian Society
• Freedom
MEMPHIS
Presented by Phoenix Productions
IN-PERSON PERFORMANCE: Fri. Apr. 23rd 2027 @ 10:30AM*
Recommended for grades: 6-12
LOCATION: Hackensack Meridian Health Theatre
From the underground dance clubs of 1950s Memphis comes a thrilling tale of fame and forbidden love. Inspired by true events, MEMPHIS tells the captivating story of Huey Calhoun – a white radio DJ determined to change the world by bringing blues and soul music to a white southern audience – and Felicia Farrell, a Black club singer ready for her big break. As they defy societal norms, they take to the airwaves, where their undeniable chemistry and shared love for rock ‘n’ roll sparks a cultural revolution. Featuring a Tony Award®-winning book by Joe DiPietro and score by Bon Jovi’s David Bryan, MEMPHIS is the winner of four 2010 Tonys®, including Best Musical, plus two 2015 Olivier Awards.
*Please note, this performance is longer than 90 minutes.
• Music
• Dance
• 1950s South
• Cultural Revolution
• History
STOMP
IN-PERSON PERFORMANCE: Thu. Apr. 29th 2027 @ 11:00AM
Recommended for grades: 2-12
LOCATION: Hackensack Meridian Health Theatre
Matchboxes, brooms, garbage cans, Zippo lighters, and more fill the stage with energizing beats at STOMP: the inventive and invigorating stage show that’s dance, music, and theatrical performance blended together in one electrifying rhythm.
• Music
• Dance
• Rhythm
• Innovative
PUEBLA: THE STORY OF CINCO DE MAYO
Presented by Calpulli Mexican Dance Company
IN-PERSON PERFORMANCE: Wed. May 5th @ 10:30AM
Recommended for grades: K-12
LOCATION: Hackensack Meridian Health Theatre
“Puebla: The Story of Cinco de Mayo” tells a universal tale of the underdog fighting impossible odds designed specifically for students and teachers. The setting is the Battle of Puebla when a small army of Mexican soldiers and commoners defeated the French army, the strongest military force of the time, on the 5th of May (Cinco de Mayo), 1862. Through folkloric and contemporary dance, live music and elaborate costuming, Calpulli elaborates on the history of the now-famous date and celebrates the culture and people of Puebla.
• Cultural Traditions + Celebration
• Mexican Folklore
• Dance
• Music
The Gaggle: An interactive theatre & education Podcast by Actors Playground Mini Misfits troupe
PRE-RECORDED CONTENT AVAILABLE ONLINE: Mini Misfits – The Gaggle Podcast
NO REGISTRATION REQUIRED!
Recommended for grades: 4-7
The Gaggle is a one-act play transformed into a podcast to provide an arts experience from the safety of your classroom. Following a group of middle schoolers, The Gaggle is about a clique’s rein over the school and how their bullying effects the students and themselves. This episodic podcast focuses on anti-bullying, social-emotional learning skills, and relevant relatable topics for you and your students to explore. A teacher study guide with prompts for lessons and activities to follow each episode is included. Workshop experiences (virtual or in-person) are available for an additional cost.
• Theatre
• Media Arts
• Anti-Bullying
• Social Emotional Learning (SEL) Connections
*Seeing live theater offers a range of academic, social, and emotional benefits to children. This includes:
- A greater ability to accept people with different opinions from their own and understand the diversity of ways others experience the world
- An increased hope for their own future, with the ability to imagine attending college and envisioning success
- A greater recognition that the arts can have a place in their lives in the present and future
- Improved engagement and behavior in school environments, which can impact success
- Increased success on standardized tests; higher writing scores; and a stronger command of narrative devices.
*Read more about the impact of viewing performing arts on students.