Assemblies

World-renowned professional artists invite each audience into the magical world of live performances that educate and entertain through the arts. Assembly programs weave together multiple art forms, character education, cultural awareness, and history into dynamic and interactive theatrical presentations. Book your Arts Horizons Assembly for your school event, special theme night, block party, community celebration, and much more!

All
Character Education
Dance & Cultural Awareness
Music
Theater (Storytelling & Literacy)

Character Rocks

(Performance by Winceyco)

In this animated production, your young audience will learn the pillars of good character as they take a walk to the rock garden with Carly. Call and response and lively songs teach your audience that it’s always cool to do the right thing!

Curriculum Links: Social Emotional Learning, Music, Theatre | Grades PreK-2

Character Rewind

(Performance by Winceyco)

We don’t normally get a second chance to do the right thing, but in this Winceyco stage play, your audience will do just that! Through music and drama, your audience will witness experiences and see the impact of their choices. Teach your students to do the right thing the first time.

Curriculum Links: Social Emotional Learning, Music, Theatre | Grades 4-8

Divided We Fall

(Performance by Winceyco)

Cyberbullying has become increasingly common, especially among teenagers. This Winceyco stage play uses professional actors to depict some of the real-life situations, problems, and even tragedies that can occur when middle and high schoolers fail to navigate social media responsibly.

Curriculum Links: Anti-Bullying, Social Emotional Learning, Music | Grades 3-12

It’s No Fun Being a Bully

(Performance by Winceyco)

The truth about bullies and their victims is exposed in this musical stage play about students who learn what gives bullies their power and how to take that power away! This performance addresses human rights for people under the age of 18, how to identify bullying, and the long-term effects for bullies and their victims.

Curriculum Links: Anti-Bullying, Cultural Awareness | Grades 3-12

Future Impact

(Performance by Winceyco)

Can a social media post come back to haunt you? Give your students the skills to succeed in this media-saturated society. In this live stage play, the professional actors and musicians in the Winceyco performance troupe use music and drama to demonstrate the impact an old social media post can have on your future.

Curriculum Links: Social Emotional Learning, Music, Theatre | Grades 6-8

Positive Choices

(Performance by Tom Gardner)

This age-appropriate program focuses on character education and themes. Through lively music, humor and audience interaction, children learn important character education messages about respect, kindness, respect for others and anti-bullying using humor and short burst of motivational banter.

Curriculum Links: Language Arts, Health, Anti-Bullying | Grades K-6

Rites of Passage: African Drumming and Poetry

(Performance by Jahlil Shabazz)

The earth’s indigenous peoples used sacred rituals to incite, acknowledge, and celebrate transformation. Our rites of passage workshops create a specialized experience that can be tailored to any institution aiming to grow in social, emotional, and cultural intelligence. We utilize team building, personal reflection, group affirmation, and shared value systems in providing a platform for optimal growth. One of our mantras is: “The purpose of life is a life with a purpose.” Our goal in rites of passage is to design the path to purpose.

Curriculum Links: Social Emotional Learning, Social Studies, Cultural Awareness, Music | Grades K-12

Tables Turned

(Performance by Winceyco)

Social skills like empathy and kindness are the focus in this stage play that teaches your students to walk a mile in someone else’s shoes. The Winceyco cast of professional actors and musicians visit the nine components of good character as they discover how they would want to be treated if the tables were turned.

Curriculum Links: Social Emotional Learning, Music, Theatre | Grades PreK-2

All Ability African Dance

(Performance by Sidiki Conde)

Five vibrant performers celebrate the traditional culture, music, and dances of Guinea in West Africa. Led by Sidiki Conde, who lost the use of his legs at the age of 14, the performers demonstrate that music and dance transcend any disability and highlight the importance of overcoming any obstacle and embracing the world’s incredible diversity.

Curriculum Links: Social Studies, Cultural Awareness | Grades K-12

African Rhythm Tap

(Performance by Feraba)

African Rhythm Tap by the unique, multicultural dance company Feraba is a high-energy performance that combines tap dance and percussion rhythms with West African music and dance and uses traditional and contemporary instruments, songs, and dances.

Curriculum Links: Social Studies, Cultural Awareness | Grades K-12

The Art of Chinese Dance

(Performance by Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company)

Five diverse, professional dancers reveal the richness of China’s long history and complex heritage as one of the world’s oldest and continuous cultures with over 5,000 years of recorded history. Students will see the agility and courage of the Chinese warrior, the skill and excitement of Peking Opera acrobatics, and a variety of folk dances which express the character of the various nationalities within China. The program includes a fantastic interactive ribbon dance experience for the students and teachers as well as narration and Q&A.

Curriculum Links: Social Studies, Cultural Awareness | Grades K-12

Dance Around the World

(Performance by Ramzi)

A colorful presentation of music, dances and dance-stories from Italy, Russia, Spain, Colombia, and Egypt are woven into a dynamic display of expressive movements, powerful rhythms, and rich colorful costumes. A fun and interactive learning experience for students of all ages!

Curriculum Links: Music, Dance, Geography, Social Studies, Cultural Awareness Grades | K-12

Globalization of Hip Hop

(Performance by Reaction Dance Company)

This interactive assembly exposes students to the impact of globalization and the power of embracing cultural diversity through dance and entertainment. Tracing our way through Jamaica, Latin America, South Korea, and India, Reaction Dance Company shows students the creation and transformation of hip-hop throughout the world. Students will watch and participate in thrilling dance performances created to inspire them to push boundaries and embrace diversity.

Curriculum Links: Dance, Music, Cultural Awareness | Grades K-12

Redhawk Native American Dancers

(Performance by the Redhawks Native American Dance Troupe)

Redhawk’s assembly program combines traditions from various Native American nations. This program is designed to help the audience understand the differences between nations, with a focus on eastern woodland traditions and history. Artists share traditional Native American songs, stories, dances, and teachings, and they help break many of the stereotypes about Native American people and traditions. Redhawk’s dance troupe members are not just performers but Native American artists and educators who have spent their lives learning cultural traditions and history from family members and tribal elders.

Curriculum Links: Social Studies, Cultural Awareness, Music | Grades K-12

Root of Tap

(Performance by Feraba)

This program traces the unique history of tap dancing, which dates back almost 400 years! Tap dance originated in the United States in the early 19th century at the crossroads of African and Irish American dance forms. When slave owners took away traditional African percussion instruments, enslaved people turned to percussive dancing to express themselves and preserve their cultural identities. In this program, we explore Irish and West African dances, the Ring Shout (early slave dances), and dances from the masters of tap: Bill “Bojangles” Robinson, Eddie Brown, and Leonard Reed’s Shim Sham.

Curriculum Links: Music, Dance, Social Studies, Cultural Awareness | Grades: K-12 and Adults

Viva Mexico

(Performance by Calpulli Mexican Dance Co.)

The diverse genre of Mexican folkloric dance is explored through a varied selection of dances from Calpulli’s rich repertoire and interactive narration. Four to six dancers perform distinct choreographies from various states and ethnic regions in Mexico, each with unique costumes and music. The flowing feathers and drumbeats of the Azteca, the bright skirts of the women in Jalisco, and the comedic dancing of the little old men are just a few examples of memorable characters audiences will enjoy.

Curriculum Links: Social Studies, Cultural Understanding, Geography, Music | Grades K-12

Djembe Jammin’

(Performance by Jahlil Shabazz)

The djembe orchestra is one of the earliest classical forms of music in the world. Learn rhythms from the West Africa that have been passed on from ancient times to now. Become culturally immersed in the beats, songs, and lessons that come from the art of playing the djembe drum.

Curriculum Links: Social Studies, Cultural Awareness | Grades K-12

From Blues to Hip Hop - Poetry of the Oral Tradition

(Performance by Open Thought Productions)

A vocalist, guitarist, rapper, beatboxer, and instrumentalist take students on a journey through the oral traditions of poetry and music. The assembly makes connections between the Afro-diasporic traditions that have shaped popular music and culture in our country. In addition to the sharing of traditional songs and poems, the performance will invite students to provide words and stories to shape original poems, songs, and raps that demonstrate the power of the spoken and sung word!

Curriculum Links: Social Studies, Language Arts, Cultural Awareness | Grades K-12

Hip Hop Connections

(Performance by Open Thought Productions)

An energetic rapper, beatboxer, vocalist, and instrumentalist are joined by a world-renowned dancer to interact with students to teach the history of Hip Hop and its many elements, from breathtaking breaking to freestyle rapping. The assembly also introduces the students to the genres of music that influence Hip Hop expanding their knowledge of musical and cultural history.

Curriculum Links: Technology, Social Studies, Music, Dance | Grades K-12

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Festival Jazz

(Performance by Ron Vincent)

Discover the joy, energy, and sensitivity of jazz and learn how divergent musical styles from Africa, the Americas, and Europe have intermingled to produce America’s great musical contribution to the world. Other programs by Festival Jazz include Jazz for the Holidays and Jazz for Black History Month.

Curriculum Links: Social Studies, Cultural Awareness | Grades K-12

Salsa Festival

(Performance by Louis Bauzo)

In Spanish, the word “salsa” means “sauce.” Salsa music is a spicy mixture of rhythms originating from many different cultures. Using a variety of jazz and authentic Latin percussion instruments, six talented musicians explore the Afro-Cuban roots of Salsa and its more contemporary variations. Students are introduced to basic technique and learn the merengue, the role of each instrument, and the concept of the clave rhythm - the unifying element of Salsa. The tremendous influence that Latin American music and American Pop and Jazz have on each other is demonstrated in this exciting program.

Curriculum Links: Social Studies, Cultural Awareness | Grades K-12

Link to show

Sonic Boom: The ReMix

(Performance by Open Thought Productions)

Two professional music producers/composers and an instrumentalist demonstrate the intersection between music software and technology. The assembly gives students hands-on experience with music production through interactive games that use drum machines, vocal effects, and live looping. Original songs are created live and remixes of positive songs students know and love will be recorded on the spot.

Curriculum Links: Music and Technology | Grades K-12

Sounds of the Mande Empire in West Africa

(Performance by Feraba)

The Mande Empire was founded by the great King Sundiata Keita in the 13th century and lasted for more than 500 years. It played a unique role in the regional oral and musical traditions of West Africa. In this show, students will learn about the history of this important empire while exploring a fascinating collection of traditional West African instruments including the balafon, krin, djembe, doun and karian. Students will connect to the captivating music and rich culture of West Africa. Students will gain a better understanding and appreciation for the depth and variety of percussion rhythms that keep us dancing.

Curriculum Links: Music, Dance, Social Studies, Cultural Awareness | Grades: K-12 and Adults (Senior Centers, Hospitals etc.)

Culturally Cool

(Performance by Winceyco)

With lively music, singing and call and response, this performance is entertaining as well as educational and takes students on an exciting tour through key points in Latinx history, creatively mixing it with modern day events. Students will also gain an appreciation for the contributions of Latinx to American culture and society.

Curriculum Links: Social Studies, Cultural Awareness, Music | Grades 3-12

Ellis Island

(Performance by Hypothetical Theatre Company)

Ellis Island Stories is based on oral histories of immigrants who passed through Ellis Island between 1892 and 1924. The moving accounts of three immigrant characters of various nationalities and one inspector reveal the events of their long journeys, the processing procedures on Ellis Island and how they became adjusted to their new lives in the United States.

Curriculum Links: Social Studies, Cultural Awareness | Grades 3-12

Gender Matters

(Performance by Winceyco)

Meet Georgia, a southern belle who relocates to the north fresh out of college. Convinced that “this is a man’s world,” Georgia comes up with a crafty scheme to land her first job in the big city. Only after her plan is foiled does she learn about great female heroes and role models such as Clara Barton, Gertrude Rand, and Wilma Rudolph.

Curriculum Links: Social Studies, Cultural Awareness, Music | Grades 3-10

Improv for Kids

(Performance by Walt Frasier)

Your students determine the fate of this interactive show when the cast of Improv 4 Kids takes stage and creates skits and songs on the spot based on student suggestions and participation.

Curriculum Links: Character Education, Storytelling | Grades K-8

Museum of Interesting Things

(Performance by Denny Daniel)

This traveling exhibition is an interactive demonstration of antique inventions in eight areas: Science, Math, Literature, Medical, Music, Photography, Toys and Household. Students are encouraged to interact with many of these inspiring items to experience the entrepreneurial spirit of the past, to demystify the origins of everyday items, and even to discover how far engineering and technology have progressed to modern day items such as iPods.

Curriculum Links: Social Studies, Science, Music, Literature | Grades 1-12

New York Improv Theater

(Performance by Walt Frasier)

Live from Times Square NYC and touring nationwide since 2002, the cast delivers hilarious musical comedy improvised on the spot. Students will be invited to participate on stage to contribute their comedic ideas. After introducing the show, the Emcee interacts with the entire audience to get suggestions for the next game. The games are exercises that promote creativity, out of the box thinking and are very interactive and loads of fun.

Curriculum Links: Character Education, Storytelling | Grades 6-12

Poetry Slam

(Performance by Jahlil Shabazz)

Here is the opportunity to lift your voice, embrace the character, engage the audience, and let your message resound through performance poetry and spoken word! You will have the chance to perform classic poems with your own style as well as sit in the writer’s chair and create your classic that will make the world see a new perspective.

Curriculum Links: Music,Language Arts | Grades: K-12

Reading Rocks

(Performance by Tom Gardner)

The focus of this program is to engage student’s imagination with songs while encouraging them to read and visit their library more often. Students participate by singing zany library versions of “Witch Doctor,” “Reading Rocks,” and rapping to Tommy’s original song, “Your (Library) Card is the Key.”

Curriculum Links: Language Arts, Health, Anti-Bullying | Grades: K-6

RITTA Book: Sing, Rap, & Read

(Performance by Lady Rose)

Action and excitement are not words children normally associate with literacy and learning, but they will soon change their tune after an encounter with Lady Rose! RITTA BOOK is a literary concept created to “feed the need for young minds to read” and inspire young scholars to read and visit the library for fun by exploring interests to develop the habit of reading through music, movement, chants, and cheers. This platform stresses the importance of information literacy skills relevant to the global society of today.

Curriculum Links: Literacy, Music, Poetry | Grades K-6

Something For the Soul

(Performance by Winceyco)

With lively music, singing, and dancing, Winceyco presents an amazingly entertaining and educational stage play. Through music and song, your audience will embark on an exciting tour through key points in our nation’s history which are creatively integrated with modern day events. A look back at the contributions and struggles of previous African Americans helps to educate students, boost their self-confidence, and teach them some very important lessons.

Curriculum Links: Social Studies, Music, Dance, Theatre, Cultural Awareness, Music | Grades 3-12

Tracing Our Roots

(Performance by Winceyco)

Explore the wonder of African American history through the power of dance, music, and dramatic storytelling with this musical play about a brother and sister who travel through time. Journey with them as they move from ancient Egypt to the slave plantations, and finally, to modern times. Learn the proud history of African Kings and Queens and pass-through different eras of music and dance including the Blues, the Lindy, Gospel, R&B, Rap, and Hip-Hop. Along the way, you will discover that certain inventions like the baby stroller, golf tee, traffic light, and lunar camera were all developed by African Americans.

Curriculum Links: Cultural Awareness, Social Studies, Music | Grades 3-12