2020-2021 Events

ArtsPower Theatre On Demand

Preview & Purchase

Since 1997, The Grand Oshkosh has hosted ArtsPower’s high-quality productions for young and family audiences. With live performances currently on hold, we’re partnering with ArtsPower to make their shows available to you online. 

Direct from the zany barnyard of chickens, ducks, pigs, goats, and cows, Chicken Dance tells the remarkable story of two plucky chickens, Marge and Lola, who desperately want to win the Barnyard Talent Contest. The first prize for winning the contest: two tickets to see singing sensation ELVIS POULTRY, LIVE IN CONCERT!

There is only one problem: Marge and Lola are unable to figure out their act for the talent show.

Starring a wonderfully talented cast of professional actors, and featuring eye-catching sets, colorful costumes, and a rich musical score, ArtsPower’s Chicken Dance is a full-length, 50-minute video for children ages 4 to 8 and their families that is sure to delight viewers of all ages!

*Once purchased, Chicken Dance: Family Edition is fully accessible with no time constraint on its use. Cost is $15 per family. 

Geodesic Management
Wednesday, February 17, 2021
9:30 a.m. & 12:30 p.m. 
Grades: 5th-8th
Curriculum Connections: Social Media, Testing, Bulling, Peer Pressure

Comedian Robert Post barely survived Middle School. Struggling because of various learning disabilities, he found that making people laugh saved him. In this brand new multimedia performance, kids talk to kids in a compelling, funny and educational show. Dealing with real issues affecting students today including social media, testing, bullying and peer pressure these video testimonials by kids and their advocates (along with a generous dose of Post’s signature humor) is sure to resonate with school and public audiences alike. In this way, “How to Survive Middle School” opens up a crucial conversation. And that’s an enormous step, because too often students bottle up their worries and emotions. The follow-up lesson plans and activities keep the conversation going. As a result, students who might feel helpless amid the pressures in their lives instead realize that they can grasp and deal with those issues, and that they can turn to their teachers for support. The program gives teachers a powerful tool to promote social-emotional learning.

TheaterWorks
Friday, February 19, 2021
9:30 a.m. & 12:30 p.m.
Grades: PreK-2nd
Curriculum Connections: Communication, Language Arts, Music, Aquatic Animals, Teamwork

Turn the poutiest of frowns upside down in this new musical featuring whimsical puppets and live performers in a sweeping oceanic adventure. When Mr. Fish sets out on a quest to find Miss Clam’s missing pearl, he discovers there is more to him than his permanently plastered pout.

This colorful adaptation of The New York Times bestseller is co-conceived, directed, and designed by the acclaimed puppeteers of AchesonWalsh Studios, whose work was featured in Broadway's The King And I, On the Town, and Radio City's New York Spectacular. Writing team includes New Victory LabWorks Residency recipients Christopher Anselmo, Jared Corak, Matt Acheson, and Fergus Walsh.

Virginia Repertory Theatre
Tuesday, February 23, 2021
9:30 a.m. & 12:30 p.m. 
Grades: K-5th
Curriculum Connections: Biography, Science, Language Arts, History, Public Speaking, Reading, Self-Esteem, Character Development 

Take an “enlightening” journey into the experiment that changed the course of history! Over 250 years ago, (in June of 1752, to be precise), Ben Franklin “shocked” the world with his discovery that lightning held electricity - and thus rendered scientists “thunderstruck”! This entertaining and educational play brings the history and science curriculum to life. 

Virginia Repertory Theatre
Friday, March 19, 2021
9:30 a.m. & 12:30 p.m. 
Grades: K-5th
Curriculum Connections: Art, Family Ties, Reading, Language Arts, Literary Classic, Music, Self-Esteem, Character Development

Join us in the timeless classic The Story of Ferdinand. Ferdinand grew up around the other young bulls who aspired to be the fiercest bulls, and would “run and jump and butt their heads together, but not Ferdinand.” Ferdinand would rather sit under his favorite tree smelling the flowers than fight — a lesson for the ages. With the help of his mother, who believed in him, and the little bee who nearly changed his life, Ferdinand keeps true to who he is, and who he always wanted to be. This musical will inspire young audiences to read and always follow their dreams.

Virginia Repertory Theatre
Tuesday, April 06, 2021
9:30 a.m. & 12:30 pm. 
Grades: K-5th
Curriculum Connections: Art, Folk Tales, Language Arts, Literary Classic, Music, Puppets, Reading, Character Development 

When Peter, a hungry sailor, has no luck getting a free meal from the stingy citizens of a tiny village, he decides to turn the table. He invites the villagers to enjoy his famous delicious Stone Soup whose recipe is known only to seafarers and legendary adventurers. He promises to provide the main ingredient if the villagers provide all the other ingredients. Join Peter and his trusty parrot, Admiral, as they teach the villagers a lesson in friendship and sharing in this heartwarming musical retelling of the classic folktale.