February Family Shows

Family programming from Convocations has a dual role. It must fill an education curricular need for school matinees so that teachers may bring their classes to campus for a field trip to an actual theatre. The show must also be a title that appeals to families that will come to see a public performance. When we look at titles, we work closely with our Education Advisory Committee to find shows that appeal to both schools and families. The two performances scheduled for February reach our goal. For our public performances we add to the theatrical experience with a pre-show lobby activity that the whole family can enjoy. Just look at what we have cooked up for February!

How do you make learning civics fun? TheatreworksUSA’s rockin’ show "We the People" presents civics with a modern twist. This musical revue fantasizes what it might have been like to have the founding fathers as members of a rock band. Washington, Adams, Jefferson and Franklin teach the reluctant heroine, Dawn Shapiro, who is running for Student Council President, the true meaning of our rights as U.S. citizens. They rock through explanations the three branches of government, the First Amendment, presidential elections and the judicial process, making social studies come to life for students of all ages.

On Saturday, February 19th, come to Loeb Playhouse from 2:00-2:45 p.m. to learn more about the constitution and how to be a good citizen from Purdue’s James F. Ackerman Center for Democratic Citizenship. Part of Purdue’s College of Education, the Ackerman Center will present the Schoolhouse Rock Video “Constitution Rock” in the west lobby. They will also have computers set up where patrons may take a quiz on their knowledge of the constitution and a Jeopardy Board where teams of three can compete for a prize. Your whole family will be inspired to participate in our democracy. The program is recommended for ages 9 and up. The "We the People" performance starts at 3 p.m.

For our very youngest patrons, the puppetry of Mermaid Theatre of Nova Scotia and the charming stories of Eric Carle are combined for "The Very Hungry Caterpillar & Other Eric Carle Favourites" on Sunday, February 27th at 3 p.m. Recommended for ages 3-8, Mermaid Theatre draws upon the magic of black light to present three favorite Eric Carle stories including The Very Hungry Caterpillar , the story of its metamorphosis into a beautiful butterfly, the fanciful account of Little Cloud’s travels through the sky, and The Mixed-Up Chameleon’s discovery of his own unique nature.
Prior to the show from 2:00-2:45 p.m. join us in the West Lobby for a chance to learn more about insects with Tom Turpin’s entomology students who will bring live creepy crawlers and their own hand puppet bug creations to entertain and educate young patrons about some of nature’s most interesting creatures!

We will have coloring pages for children to take home that explain the life of a caterpillar. Kids can also help us make a butterfly collage in the spirit of Eric Carle’s artwork.

Laura Clavio
Assistant Director of Purdue Convocations